Method of positioning a device on an endoscope

• US 7,648,457 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2005
• Issued: 01/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Vakharia, Omar J., Stefanchik, David, Spivey, James T., Applegate, Rick D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker; John P
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chen; Victoria W
• Application Number:
  US11/129,592
• Publication Number:
  US 20060258910A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,712 Days
• Field of Search: 600/121, 600/123, 600/127, 600/129, 600/175, 600/920, 600/101, 600/104, 600/106, 600/107, 600/124, 600/126, 128/898, 606/1
• US Class Current: 600/127
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00137 End pieces at either end of the endoscope, e.g. caps, seals or forceps plugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0014 Fastening element for attaching accessories to the outside of an endoscope, e.g. clips, clamps or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/012 characterised by internal passages or accessories therefor

Abstract

A method for positioning a device, such as an endcap, on an endoscope is disclosed. The method can be used, for example, for facilitating pressing an endcap onto an endoscope, including in those applications where the endscope is disposed in a sheath and the endcap is positioned at the distal end of the sheath.

Claims

1. A method for positioning a device on an endoscope comprising the steps of:

providing an endoscope;

providing a tool;

providing a device sized to be positioned on an end of the endoscope; and

applying a pushing force on the device while simultaneously applying a pulling force on the endoscope with the tool, wherein the pulling force applied to the endoscope is applied through an opening in the device, wherein the pulling force is applied to the endoscope radially inward of the outer surface of the endoscope.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the pulling force applied to the endoscope is applied through a through bore in the device.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the pulling force is applied through an opening in the device sized to receive the end of the endoscope.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the device comprises an endcap having a bore for receiving an end of the endoscope, and wherein the pulling force is applied to the endoscope through the bore in the endcap.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the device is positioned on an endoscope disposed in a sheath, and wherein the step of applying the pulling force on the endoscope is performed without grasping the sheath.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the pulling force is applied to a surface of a channel within the endoscope.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the pulling force is applied around the distal end of the endoscope.

8. A method of positioning an endcap on an endoscope comprising the steps of:

providing an endoscope;

providing a tool;

providing a sheath for receiving the endoscope;

providing an endcap associated with the distal end of the sheath;

positioning the endoscope at least partially within the sheath; and

applying a pulling force to the endoscope through the endcap with the tool simultaneously with applying a pushing force to the endcap, wherein the pulling force is applied to an outer surface of the endoscope.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of applying a pulling force to the endoscope is performed without contacting the sheath.

10. A method of positioning an endcap on an endoscope comprising the steps of:

providing an endoscope;

providing a loading element having a first end and a second end, the second end adapted to releasably engage the distal end of the endoscope;

releasably positioning the loading element on the distal end of the endoscope;

inserting the first end of the of the loading element at least partially through the endcap; and

pulling on the loading element while pushing on the endcap, wherein the act of pulling on the loading element provides a pulling force applied around the distal end of the endoscope.