Semi disposable endoscope
First Claim
1. A device for insertion into a subject, comprising:
- an elongate housing having a compartment at its distal end, said compartment having a sealable entrance aperture at its distal end and a first connector part disposed at its proximal end;
a connecting link attached to said first connector part and running proximally down said elongate housing;
an element adapted to be inserted into said compartment through said entrance aperture, said element having a second connector part which mates with said first connector part when said element is fully inserted into said compartment; and
a seal for sealing said compartment, such that after said element is inserted into said compartment, application of said seal provides isolation between said element and the environment outside said distal end of said device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A disposable endoscope body having an enclosure in its distal end for a non-disposable element, such as a video camera head. Because of its complexity and sensitivity, the camera head is non-disposable and cannot be sterilized. The camera head is sealed in the endoscope body, such that it does not contaminate the patient during the procedure. Sealing is achieved using an end cap. After use, the camera is withdrawn from the proximal end of the endoscope, which, being near to or within the workstation, has not been inserted into the subject and should be free of patient contamination. Passage of the camera out through the proximal end therefore avoids contamination by the patient, such that it can be used again without need for sterilization. A dispensing kit is described, for supplying the sterile endoscope body and for installing and sealing the camera with a minimum of manual intervention.
50 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A device for insertion into a subject, comprising:
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an elongate housing having a compartment at its distal end, said compartment having a sealable entrance aperture at its distal end and a first connector part disposed at its proximal end; a connecting link attached to said first connector part and running proximally down said elongate housing; an element adapted to be inserted into said compartment through said entrance aperture, said element having a second connector part which mates with said first connector part when said element is fully inserted into said compartment; and a seal for sealing said compartment, such that after said element is inserted into said compartment, application of said seal provides isolation between said element and the environment outside said distal end of said device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of using a device for insertion into a subject, comprising:
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providing a device having a compartment with a sealable entrance aperture at its distal end and a first connector part at its proximal end; inserting into said compartment, an element having a second connector part which mates with said first connector part when said element is fully inserted into said compartment; sealing said entrance aperture; performing a procedure on the subject; and withdrawing said element from the proximal end of said device, such that said element does not contact those parts of the device that were in contact with tissues of the subject during said procedure. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification