초록 ▼

A partially elastic protective sheath surrounding the insertion tube of an endoscope. The sheath is partially inflated while being installed on the endoscope and remains partially inflated during endoscopy. The sheath has an end cap with a gasket shaped to provide a seal around the insertion tube du

A partially elastic protective sheath surrounding the insertion tube of an endoscope. The sheath is partially inflated while being installed on the endoscope and remains partially inflated during endoscopy. The sheath has an end cap with a gasket shaped to provide a seal around the insertion tube during installation and endoscopy. The sheath is provided with a window near its distal end positioned in front of the viewing window of the endoscope. The sheath may have one or more channels extending along its length to accommodate one or more biopsy or fluid tubes of the endoscope. The sheath may be used with either end-viewing endoscopes or side-viewing endoscopes.

대표청구항 ▼

For an endoscope having an elongated insertion tube with distal and proximal ends, a protective sheath comprising: a resilient, elongated sheath tube having a controlled elasticity, said sheath tube having distal and proximal ends and adapted to receive the endoscope insertion tube; said sheath tube

For an endoscope having an elongated insertion tube with distal and proximal ends, a protective sheath comprising: a resilient, elongated sheath tube having a controlled elasticity, said sheath tube having distal and proximal ends and adapted to receive the endoscope insertion tube; said sheath tube having side walls that are thinner at the distal end of said sheath tube than at its proximal end so as to allow increased expansion of said sheath tube at its distal end compared to its proximal end; inflation means for injection of a fluid into the sheath tube, thereby partially expanding the sheath tube to form a layer of the fluid, thereby spacing the sheath tube away from the insertion tube; and sealing means for retaining fluid in the sheath tube, for retaining the sheath tube in an expanded state, and for retaining space between the sheath tube and the insertion tube while the endoscope is being used for an endoscopic procedure.