초록 ▼

A continuous flow urological endoscopic apparatus includes an endoscope having a reciprocatively-mounted treating device mounted within a sheath thereof. Pump devices establish continuous flow of fluid into and out of the interior of the body cavity to be treated via delivery and return conduits, re

A continuous flow urological endoscopic apparatus includes an endoscope having a reciprocatively-mounted treating device mounted within a sheath thereof. Pump devices establish continuous flow of fluid into and out of the interior of the body cavity to be treated via delivery and return conduits, respectively. According to one aspect of the invention, the return conduit inlet is positioned near the outermost protracted position of the treating device so that the flow of fluid is away from the objective lens of a telescope mounted within the endoscope, thereby enhancing visibility greatly. According to another aspect of the invention, a pressure sensing device is mounted within the sheath for detecting fluid pressure within the body cavity, and an electric conductor conveys signals indicative of such internal pressure within the body cavity, for safety purposes. A control circuit responds to the signals for de-activating the pump device when the fluid pressure within the body cavity exceeds a predetermined unsafe value of pressure.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of using an endoscope including an enveloping tubular sheath, fluid conduit means including fluid inlet means, and fluid exhaust means disposed within said sheath, said conduit means extending longitudinally through said sheath for presentation into a restricted passage communicating with a

A method of using an endoscope including an enveloping tubular sheath, fluid conduit means including fluid inlet means, and fluid exhaust means disposed within said sheath, said conduit means extending longitudinally through said sheath for presentation into a restricted passage communicating with a body cavity for transmittal of a fluid stream through said passage and into and from a treatment zone subjected to a surgical procedure, tissue treatment means including means for removing tissue from said treatment zone, optical means including lens means at a distal end of said optical means for viewing said treatment zone, the improvement comprising the steps of flowing fluid into said fluid inlet means and out said fluid exhaust means; detecting body cavity fluid pressure directly and continuously, at a forward interior portion of said sheath, during flow of fluid into and out of the body cavity; continuously generating electrical signals indicative of said body cavity fluid pressure and conveying them outside of said sheath; and interrupting said fluid flow in response to said signals indicating an undesirable body cavity pressure.