US 2019/0313889 A1 · TIP PROTECTOR DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tip protector device for a medical instrument, such as an endoscope or borescope. The tip protector device according to the present invention comprises a housing configured to releasably receive a tip of a medical instrument, a clamping system configured to retain by clamping the tip received by the housing in a retaining position and a locking system configured to perform a locking step, wherein the locking step comprises, successively, the locking and unlocking of the clamping system in the retaining position. The tip protector further comprises a blocking element, wherein the blocking element is configured to block the locking system after repeated use of the device. The present invention also relates to a method of protecting the tip of a medical instrument.

Claims37

Dependent claims

Tip protector device for a medical instrument comprising:

a housing configured to releasably receive a tip of a medical instrument;
a clamping system configured to retain by clamping the tip received by the housing in a retaining position;
and
a locking system configured to perform a locking step, wherein the locking step comprises, successively, the locking and unlocking of the clamping system in the retaining position,
characterized in that the locking system further comprises a blocking element, wherein the blocking element is configured to block the locking system after repeated use of the tip protector device, and in that the locking system is configured to perform at least a first and a second locking step before the blocking element blocks the locking system.

2 more elements

Method for protecting a tip of a medical instrument, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a medical instrument, such as an endoscope;
b) providing a tip protector device according to any of the preceding claims;
c) inserting the tip of the medical instrument in the tip protector device, such that the tip is retained by clamping by the tip protector device in a locked retaining position;
d) unlocking the retaining position and removing the tip from the tip protector device;
e) after use of the medical instrument, inserting the tip of the medical instrument in the tip protector device such that the tip is retained by clamping by the tip protector device in a locked retaining position;
and
f) unlocking the retaining position and removing the tip from the tip protector device,
characterized in that after unlocking the retaining position in step f), the method further comprises discarding the tip protector device in a suitable waste container, with the proviso that the method excludes the step of using the medical instrument within or on the human or animal body.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tip protector device

Life of this patent

Tip protector device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims37