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US 2017/0290492 A1Published application
Endoscope sheath with integral imaging window
AssigneeCanon U.S.A., Inc.
InventorsMark Alan Hamm, Alexander Altshuler
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Abstract
Exemplary methods, endoscopes, and endoscope sheaths are provided having an integrally formed imaging window. The sheath may comprise thin coiled wires and may be made using a dip-casting process.
Claims23
A process comprising:
- providing a mandrel with a smooth distal end;
- forming successively one or more first polymer coats around the mandrel to form a first polymer layer having a desired thickness around the mandrel;
- placing at least one optical fiber along-side the first polymer layer to form a fiber assembly;
- forming successively one or more second polymer coats around the fiber assembly to form a second polymer layer having a desired thickness around the fiber assembly;
- and
- forming a window around the distal end of the mandrel.
3 more elements
The process according to 1, wherein the step of forming the successively one or more second polymer coats includes:
- dipping the fiber assembly into a second polymer solution containing a second solvent and a second polymer material;
- and
- flashing the second solvent off to form the second polymer coat made of the second polymer material.
A process comprising:
- obtaining a mandrel with a smooth distal end;
- inserting the mandrel with the polished end facing into an inner tube, wherein the inner tube comprises a tube portion and a wire coiled around the tube portion tube to form an assembly;
- dipping the assembly into a first polymer solution having a first solvent;
- flashing the first solvent off;
- placing at least one optical fiber along-side the assembly to form a fiber-assembly;
- dipping the fiber-assembly into a second polymer solution having a second solvent;
- drying the fiber-assembly;
- blowing off excess second polymer solution from the distal end of the mandrel;
- and
- flashing off the second solvent.
7 more elements
A miniature endoscope comprising a sheath and an optically transparent window that is integral to a native material of the sheath.
A miniature endoscope comprising;
- a flexible sheath having an integral imaging window and an inner tube with a low-friction inner surface and at least one metallic coiled wire;
- a rotatable imaging core that is inserted within the flexible sheath.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.