The present invention relates to endoscope systems generally and more particularly to adaptors useful in endoscope systems.
Various types of endoscope systems are known.
The present invention seeks to provide an improved endoscope system.
There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention an endoscope system including an endoscope including an endoscope electro-pneumatic connection assembly having a leak test port, an endoscope electro-optic subsystem which is connectable to the endoscope via the endoscope electro-pneumatic connection assembly in a manner which precludes access to the leak test port when the endoscope electro-optic subsystem and the endoscope are connected at the electro-pneumatic connection assembly and an electro-pneumatic adaptor, which is connectable to the endoscope at the electro-pneumatic connection assembly and includes an adaptor electro-pneumatic connection assembly, including a leak test port connector for connection to the leak test port of the endoscope, an adaptor electrical port assembly to which the endoscope electro-optic subsystem is connectable and a pneumatic port.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the pneumatic port includes a pneumatic connector assembly. Additionally or alternatively, the electro-pneumatic adaptor is removably connectable to the endoscope at the electro-pneumatic connection assembly. Alternatively or additionally, the leak test port communicates with an interior volume of the endoscope.
Preferably, the electro-pneumatic adaptor includes an electrical connector for connection to an electrical connector of the endoscope, a pneumatic connector portion for connection to the endoscope electro-pneumatic connection assembly and a leak test port connector for connection to the leak test port.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the endoscope is a balloon endoscope and the endoscope system also includes a balloon inflation/deflation subsystem which is connected to the pneumatic port. Additionally, the balloon inflation/deflation subsystem is adapted to provide inflation and deflation of the balloon via the pneumatic port of the adaptor, the leak test port and an interior volume of the endoscope.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the electro-pneumatic adaptor is constructed such that the adaptor electro-pneumatic connection assembly, the adaptor electrical port assembly and the pneumatic port are directed at mutually different angles.
Preferably, the electro-pneumatic adaptor includes a conduit pneumatically connecting the leak test port of the endoscope to the pneumatic port of the adaptor. Additionally or alternatively, the pneumatic port of the adaptor is fixedly connected to at least one of a leak tester and a balloon inflation/deflation subsystem.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the endoscope system also includes a leak tester which is connected to the pneumatic port.
Preferably, the balloon inflation/deflation subsystem is removably connected to the pneumatic port.
There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention an electro-pneumatic adaptor for use with an endoscope including an endoscope electro-pneumatic connection assembly having a leak test port, the electro-pneumatic adaptor being connectable to the endoscope at the electro-pneumatic connection assembly and including an adaptor electro-pneumatic connection assembly, including a leak test port connector for connection to the leak test port of the endoscope, an adaptor electrical port assembly and a pneumatic port.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the pneumatic port includes a pneumatic connector assembly. Additionally or alternatively, the electro-pneumatic adaptor is connectable to the endoscope at the electro-pneumatic connection assembly. Preferably, the leak test port communicates with an interior volume of the endoscope.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the adaptor electro-pneumatic connection assembly includes a pneumatic connector portion for connection to the endoscope electro-pneumatic connection assembly and a leak test port connector for connection to the leak test port.
Preferably, the endoscope is a balloon endoscope and the pneumatic port of the electro-pneumatic adaptor is connected to a balloon inflation/deflation subsystem. Additionally, the balloon inflation/deflation subsystem is adapted to provide inflation and deflation of the balloon via the pneumatic port of the adaptor, the leak test port and an interior volume of the endoscope.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the electro-pneumatic adaptor is constructed such that the adaptor electro-pneumatic connection assembly, the adaptor electrical port assembly and the pneumatic port are directed at mutually different angles.
Preferably, the electro-pneumatic adaptor also includes a conduit pneumatically connecting the leak test port of the endoscope to the pneumatic port of the adaptor.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the pneumatic port is fixedly connected to at least one of a leak tester and a balloon inflation/deflation subsystem.
Preferably, the pneumatic port of the electro-pneumatic adaptor is connected to a leak tester. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the pneumatic port is removably connected to the balloon inflation/deflation subsystem.
There is further provided in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention a method of employing an endoscope system which includes an endoscope including an endoscope electro-pneumatic connection assembly having a leak test port, an endoscope electro-optic subsystem which is connectable to the endoscope via the endoscope electro-pneumatic connection assembly in a manner which precludes access to the leak test port when the endoscope electro-optic subsystem and the endoscope are connected at the electro-pneumatic connection assembly and an electro-pneumatic adaptor, which is connectable to the endoscope at the electro-pneumatic connection assembly and includes an adaptor electro-pneumatic connection assembly, including a leak test port connector for connection to the leak test port of the endoscope, an adaptor electrical port assembly to which the endoscope electro-optic subsystem is connectable and a pneumatic port, the method including connecting the electro-pneumatic adaptor to the endoscope at the electro-pneumatic connection assembly and connecting the endoscope electro-optic subsystem to the adaptor port assembly of the electro-pneumatic adaptor and connecting at least one of a leak tester and a balloon inflation/deflation subsystem to the pneumatic port.
Preferably, at least one of the connecting steps includes removably connecting. Additionally or alternatively, the connecting at least one of the leak tester and the balloon inflation/deflation subsystem to the pneumatic port connects the at least one of the leak tester and the balloon inflation/deflation subsystem to an interior volume of the endoscope.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the method also includes connecting an electrical connector of the adaptor to an electrical connector of the endoscope, connecting a pneumatic connector portion of the adaptor to the endoscope electro-pneumatic connection assembly and connecting the leak test port connector for connection to the leak test port of the endoscope.
Preferably, the endoscope is a balloon endoscope and the method also includes removably connecting the balloon inflation/deflation subsystem to the pneumatic port. Additionally, the balloon inflation/deflation subsystem provides inflation and deflation of the balloon via the pneumatic port of the adaptor, the leak test port and an interior volume of the endoscope.
Preferably, the pneumatic port of the adaptor is fixedly connected to at least one of the leak tester and the balloon inflation/deflation subsystem.
The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the drawings in which:
Reference is now made to
As seen in
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided an electro-pneumatic adaptor 120, which is removably connectable to endoscope 102 at the endoscope electro-pneumatic connection assembly 104 and includes an electrical connector 121, comprising a plurality of pins, for connection to electrical connector 110 of endoscope 102, a pneumatic connector portion 122 for connection to the pneumatic connector portion 108 of the endoscope electro-pneumatic connection assembly 104 and a leak test port connector 123 which engages the leak test port 106. The electro-pneumatic adaptor 120 also includes an adaptor electrical port connector 124 to which a connector 125 of an endoscope electro-optic subsystem 126 is connectable and a pneumatic connector assembly 128 for connection to a leak testing subsystem 130 via a leak testing subsystem connector 132. Leak testing subsystem connector 132 may be any suitable pneumatic connector, and preferably is similar to a conventional connector, forming part of conventional leak tester such as model SHA-P5, commercially available from Pentax Europe GmbH, of 104 Julius-Vosseler St., 22527 Hamburg, Germany.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the leak testing subsystem 130 communicates with the interior volume 107 of the endoscope 102 via leak test port 106.
Endoscope electro-optic subsystem 126 is a conventional endoscope electro-optical subsystem such as a CV-180 video processor, commercially available from Olympus Europe GmbH, of Wendenstraße 14-18, 20097, Hamburg, Germany.
It is appreciated that during conventional clinical use of endoscope 102 in performing an endoscopy examination, as known in the art, the endoscope 102 is connected directly to endoscope electro-optic subsystem 126, by connecting the connector 125 to endoscope electro-pneumatic connection assembly 104, thereby precluding access to leak test port 106 during the endoscopy procedure. It is further appreciated that preclusion of pneumatic access to leak test port 106 and thus to the interior volume 107 of endoscope 102, when said endoscope electro-optic subsystem 126 and said endoscope 102 are connected at said electro-pneumatic connection assembly 104, prevents leak testing of endoscope 102 during the endoscopy examination.
It is a particular feature of the present invention that electro-pneumatic adaptor 120 enables simultaneous electrical connection of endoscope 102 and endoscope electro-optic subsystem 126, and pneumatic communication between an external pneumatic device such as leak tester 130 and the leak test port 106 of endoscope 102, thereby enabling leak testing of endoscope 102 during an endoscopy examination.
Reference is now made to
As seen in
It is a particular feature of the present invention that electro-pneumatic adaptor 120 enables simultaneous electrical connection of balloon endoscope 202 and endoscope electro-optic subsystem 126, and pneumatic communication between an external pneumatic device such as leak tester 130 and the leak test port 106 of balloon endoscope 202, thereby enabling leak testing of balloon endoscope 202 during an endoscopy examination. Reference is now made to
It is appreciated that had balloon endoscope 202 been connected directly to endoscope electro-optic subsystem 126 while performing an endoscopy examination, by connecting the connector 125 to endoscope electro-pneumatic connection assembly 104 as commonly known in the art, this would have precluded access to leak test port 106 and consequently would have precluded inflation and deflation of balloon 204 through interior volume 107 by inflation/deflation subsystem 230 during the endoscopy examination.
It is a particular feature of the present invention that electro-pneumatic adaptor 120 enables simultaneous electrical connection of balloon endoscope 202 and endoscope electro-optic subsystem 126, and pneumatic communication between an external pneumatic device such as inflation/deflation subsystem 230 and the interior of balloon endoscope 202, via the leak test port 106, thereby enabling inflation and deflation of balloon 204 of balloon endoscope 202 during an endoscopy examination.
Reference is now made to
As seen in
A pneumatic conduit 310 extends through a channel 312 formed in electrical connector support block 304 and is coupled at one end 314 thereof to pneumatic connector assembly 128 (
First pneumatic connector element 316 is illustrated in
Generally circular cylindrical portion 320 includes an outer bore portion 334, inwardly of which is defined an inner bore portion 336, both of which extend along longitudinal axis 322. Inner bore portion 336 terminates in a bore 338, which also extends along longitudinal axis 322 and intersects with and joins bore 328 at a 90 degree junction 340.
Second pneumatic connector element 318 may be a conventional pneumatic connector, such as EOG valve assembly model number D201-V2330-1, commercially available from Pentax Europe GmbH, of 104 Julius-Vosseler St., 22527 Hamburg, Germany.
Pneumatic conduit 310 is arranged to be coupled at an end 350 thereof, which constitutes leak test port connector 123 (
Main body portion 300 is illustrated in detail in
Generally circular cylindrical outer surface 406 extends from an edge 410 to a shallow circumferential undercut 412. Adjacent undercut 412 is a circumferential protrusion 414 having formed therein a plurality of mutually spaced, radially extending apertures 416. Generally circular cylindrical inner surface 404 extends from edge 410 to a shoulder 418.
Axially adjacent first generally circular cylindrical portion 402 is a second generally circular cylindrical portion 422, having a generally circular cylindrical inner surface 424 and a generally circular cylindrical outer surface 426.
Generally circular cylindrical outer surface 426 extends from a shoulder 428 axially to a generally circular flange 430, axially adjacent to which is a relative undercut portion 432. Generally circular cylindrical outer surface 426 includes a circumferential protrusion 434 having formed therein a side aperture 436. Generally circular cylindrical inner surface 424 extends from shoulder 418 to a shoulder 438 and includes a side recess 440 surrounding side aperture 436.
Axially adjacent second generally circular cylindrical portion 422 is a third generally circular cylindrical portion 442, having a generally circular cylindrical inner surface 444 and a generally circular cylindrical outer surface 446.
Generally circular cylindrical outer surface 446 extends from flange 434 to an edge 448 and includes a forward undercut portion 450 and a chamfered portion 452 adjacent edge 448. Generally circular cylindrical inner surface 444 extends from shoulder 438 to edge 448. Disposed within and adjacent generally circular cylindrical inner surface 444 are mutually azimuthally spaced retaining shims 307, 308 and 309 (
Shims 307, 308 and 309 are attached to main body portion 300 only after insertion of adaptor electrical connector assembly 302 into main body portion 300 and are located so as to define therebetween a circumferential edge recess 460 and a plurality of axial recesses 462 which extend from circumferential edge recess 460 to shoulder 438.
A plurality of radially extending apertures 464 are formed in third generally circular cylindrical portion 442 and retain therein radially outwardly extending pins 466.
Adaptor electrical connector assembly 302 is illustrated in
A plurality of electrical contact pin assemblies 510 are mounted onto base element 500, each at a pin mounting aperture 502, extending through base element 500. Each of electrical contact pin assemblies 510 preferably includes a male pin element 520 which is configured to be seated in and extend through base element 500, a generally circularly cylindrical intermediate pin shaft 522, and a female pin element 524.
Male pin element 520 is preferably an integrally formed element and includes an axial pin portion 530 and a socket 532 for retainably receiving a first end of intermediate pin shaft 522. Generally circularly cylindrical intermediate pin shaft 522 is preferably an elongate shaft, preferably having end slits 534 formed therein to provide resiliency. Female pin element 524 preferably is an integrally formed hollow cylindrical element, one end of which defines a socket 536 for retainably receiving a second end of intermediate pin shaft 522.
Electrical connector support block 304 is illustrated in
Electrical connector support block 304 is preferably formed with a plurality of throughgoing generally circular cylindrical bores 552 which extend from a first end 554 of block 304 to a second end 556 of block 304. Bores 552 having a generally uniform cross-sectional radius along most of their extent 557 from first end 554 and have a short extent 558 adjacent second end 556 which has a lesser cross sectional radius. Each electrical contact pin assembly 510 is retained in an extent 557 of a bore 552. A recess 559 is formed at first end 554 of block 304 to accommodate azimuthal orientation protrusion 508 (
As seen particularly in
Bayonet connector assembly 306 is illustrated in
Reference is now made to
In
Reference is now made to
In
Reference is now made
In
Reference is now made to
In
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes the combinations and subcombinations of the features described hereinabove as well as modifications thereof which are not in the prior art.
This application is a U.S. National Phase Application under 35 U.S.C. 371 of International Application No. PCT/IL2016/050345, which has an international filing date of Mar. 31, 2016, and which claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/178,207, filed Apr. 3, 2015, and entitled ADAPTOR FOR USE WITH AN ENDOSCOPE, the description of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Reference is also made to applicant's Published PCT Patent Applications WO2011/111040; WO/2012/120492; WO/2014/068569 and WO2014/188402, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/IL2016/050345 | 3/31/2016 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2016/157189 | 10/6/2016 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3837347 | Tower | Sep 1974 | A |
3895637 | Choy | Jul 1975 | A |
4040413 | Ohshiro | Aug 1977 | A |
4148307 | Utsugi | Apr 1979 | A |
4176662 | Frazer | Dec 1979 | A |
4195637 | Gruntzig et al. | Apr 1980 | A |
4224929 | Furihata | Sep 1980 | A |
4261339 | Hanson et al. | Apr 1981 | A |
4453545 | Inoue | Jun 1984 | A |
4616652 | Simpson | Oct 1986 | A |
4676228 | Krasner et al. | Jun 1987 | A |
4681093 | Ono et al. | Jul 1987 | A |
4690131 | Lyddy et al. | Sep 1987 | A |
4721123 | Cosentino et al. | Jan 1988 | A |
4862874 | Kellner | Sep 1989 | A |
4917088 | Crittenden | Apr 1990 | A |
5135487 | Morrill et al. | Aug 1992 | A |
5259366 | Reydel et al. | Nov 1993 | A |
5310524 | Campbell et al. | May 1994 | A |
5338299 | Barlow | Aug 1994 | A |
5411016 | Kume et al. | May 1995 | A |
5454364 | Kruger | Oct 1995 | A |
5569220 | Webster, Jr. | Oct 1996 | A |
5593419 | Segar | Jan 1997 | A |
5599301 | Jacobs et al. | Feb 1997 | A |
5607441 | Sierocuk et al. | Mar 1997 | A |
5653240 | Zimmon | Aug 1997 | A |
5693014 | Abele | Dec 1997 | A |
5700242 | Mulder | Dec 1997 | A |
5707382 | Sierocuk et al. | Jan 1998 | A |
5707392 | Kortenbach | Jan 1998 | A |
5823940 | Newman | Oct 1998 | A |
5904701 | Daneshvar | May 1999 | A |
5984860 | Shan | Nov 1999 | A |
6007482 | Madni et al. | Dec 1999 | A |
6162171 | Ng et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
6261260 | Maki et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6412334 | Kral et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6461294 | Oneda et al. | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6585639 | Kotmel et al. | Jul 2003 | B1 |
6589208 | Ewers et al. | Jul 2003 | B2 |
6663589 | Halevy | Dec 2003 | B1 |
6695810 | Peacock | Feb 2004 | B2 |
6702735 | Kelly | Mar 2004 | B2 |
6764441 | Chiel | Jul 2004 | B2 |
6986736 | Williams et al. | Jan 2006 | B2 |
7081096 | Brister et al. | Jul 2006 | B2 |
7169140 | Kume | Jan 2007 | B1 |
7635346 | Cabiri et al. | Dec 2009 | B2 |
7695428 | Machida | Apr 2010 | B2 |
7699771 | Wendlandt | Apr 2010 | B2 |
7713191 | Sekiguchi et al. | May 2010 | B2 |
7837672 | Intoccia | Nov 2010 | B2 |
7887480 | Sekiguchi | Feb 2011 | B2 |
7918788 | Lin et al. | Apr 2011 | B2 |
7963911 | Terliuc | Jun 2011 | B2 |
8002698 | Motai | Aug 2011 | B2 |
8012084 | Machida | Sep 2011 | B2 |
8152715 | Root et al. | Apr 2012 | B2 |
8187221 | Bates | May 2012 | B2 |
8197463 | Intoccia | Jun 2012 | B2 |
8273013 | Niwa et al. | Sep 2012 | B2 |
8348889 | Salemi et al. | Jan 2013 | B2 |
8419678 | Cabiri et al. | Apr 2013 | B2 |
8480572 | Ishigami | Jul 2013 | B2 |
8545382 | Suzuki et al. | Oct 2013 | B2 |
8727970 | Terliuc et al. | May 2014 | B2 |
8939895 | Simchony | Jan 2015 | B2 |
9119532 | Terliuc et al. | Sep 2015 | B2 |
9511209 | Drasler | Jan 2016 | B2 |
9278202 | Ranade | Mar 2016 | B2 |
9427142 | Terliuc et al. | Aug 2016 | B2 |
9480390 | Farhadi | Nov 2016 | B2 |
9521945 | Farhadi | Dec 2016 | B2 |
9596979 | Terliuc et al. | Mar 2017 | B2 |
9604042 | Fox | Mar 2017 | B2 |
9661994 | Terliuc et al. | May 2017 | B2 |
9795280 | Ueda | Oct 2017 | B2 |
9808142 | Axon et al. | Nov 2017 | B2 |
20010032494 | Greszler | Oct 2001 | A1 |
20020147385 | Butler et al. | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20030074015 | Nakao | Apr 2003 | A1 |
20030236495 | Kennedy | Dec 2003 | A1 |
20040077926 | Moriyama | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040102681 | Gross | May 2004 | A1 |
20040210116 | Nakao | Oct 2004 | A1 |
20040236366 | Kennedy et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20050027253 | Castellano et al. | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20050124856 | Fujikura et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050125005 | Fujikura | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050133453 | Woodruff et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050137457 | Machida | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050159702 | Sekiguchi et al. | Jul 2005 | A1 |
20050165233 | Hamedi et al. | Jul 2005 | A1 |
20050165273 | Takano | Jul 2005 | A1 |
20050171400 | Itoi | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20060095063 | Sekiguchi | May 2006 | A1 |
20060100480 | Ewers et al. | May 2006 | A1 |
20060111610 | Machida | May 2006 | A1 |
20060116549 | Sekiguchi et al. | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060161044 | Oneda et al. | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20060282088 | Ryan | Dec 2006 | A1 |
20070010785 | Sekiguchi et al. | Jan 2007 | A1 |
20070038026 | Yoshida et al. | Feb 2007 | A1 |
20070083158 | Hirszowicz et al. | Apr 2007 | A1 |
20070185385 | Noguchi et al. | Aug 2007 | A1 |
20070191678 | Sekiguchi | Aug 2007 | A1 |
20070213586 | Hirose et al. | Sep 2007 | A1 |
20070244361 | Ikeda et al. | Oct 2007 | A1 |
20070270645 | Ikeda | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070276181 | Terliuc | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20080009673 | Khachi | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20080161645 | Goldwasser et al. | Jul 2008 | A1 |
20080177142 | Roskopf | Jul 2008 | A1 |
20080200759 | Niwa et al. | Aug 2008 | A1 |
20080306441 | Brown et al. | Dec 2008 | A1 |
20090012469 | Nita | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090018500 | Carter et al. | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090048483 | Yamamoto | Feb 2009 | A1 |
20090156896 | Kura | Jun 2009 | A1 |
20090187069 | Terliuc et al. | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20090234188 | Matsuura et al. | Sep 2009 | A1 |
20090287058 | Terliuc | Nov 2009 | A1 |
20100041951 | Glozman et al. | Feb 2010 | A1 |
20100042046 | Chang et al. | Feb 2010 | A1 |
20100217185 | Terliuc et al. | Aug 2010 | A1 |
20120178994 | Schembre | Jul 2012 | A1 |
20120232342 | Reydel | Sep 2012 | A1 |
20120285488 | Labib et al. | Nov 2012 | A1 |
20130023920 | Terliuc et al. | Jan 2013 | A1 |
20130090527 | Axon | Apr 2013 | A1 |
20130116549 | Gunday | May 2013 | A1 |
20130197309 | Sakata | Aug 2013 | A1 |
20140088362 | Terliuc et al. | Mar 2014 | A1 |
20140155696 | Sakata | Jun 2014 | A1 |
20150073216 | Papay | Mar 2015 | A1 |
20150273191 | Terliuc et al. | Oct 2015 | A1 |
20150335229 | Terliuc | Nov 2015 | A1 |
20160022120 | Terliuc et al. | Jan 2016 | A1 |
20160081536 | Farhadi | Mar 2016 | A1 |
20160089001 | Hara et al. | Mar 2016 | A1 |
20160095508 | Terliuc et al. | Apr 2016 | A1 |
20170014099 | Morimoto | Jan 2017 | A1 |
20170027415 | Terliuc et al. | Feb 2017 | A1 |
20170027433 | Terliuc | Feb 2017 | A1 |
20170065155 | Farhadi | Mar 2017 | A1 |
20170216568 | Terliuc et al. | Mar 2017 | A1 |
20170100017 | Terliuc et al. | Apr 2017 | A1 |
20170106173 | Chanduszko | Apr 2017 | A1 |
20170181606 | Waagen | Jun 2017 | A1 |
20170203080 | Terliuc et al. | Jul 2017 | A1 |
20170360282 | Terliuc et al. | Dec 2017 | A1 |
20180125606 | Labib | May 2018 | A1 |
20180140175 | Luria | May 2018 | A1 |
20180333043 | Terliuc et al. | Nov 2018 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2661242 | Oct 2010 | CA |
1394543 | Feb 2003 | CN |
2624936 | Jul 2004 | CN |
1550203 | Dec 2004 | CN |
1636502 | Jul 2005 | CN |
1647747 | Aug 2005 | CN |
1649630 | Aug 2005 | CN |
1827031 | Sep 2006 | CN |
1917802 | Feb 2007 | CN |
1933766 | Mar 2007 | CN |
1946328 | Apr 2007 | CN |
1951312 | Apr 2007 | CN |
1964665 | May 2007 | CN |
101015440 | Aug 2007 | CN |
101103898 | Jan 2008 | CN |
101243965 | Aug 2008 | CN |
101347321 | Jan 2009 | CN |
101380220 | Mar 2009 | CN |
101396256 | Apr 2009 | CN |
101522091 | Sep 2009 | CN |
101541227 | Sep 2009 | CN |
101664560 | Mar 2010 | CN |
102791180 | Nov 2012 | CN |
103269638 | Aug 2013 | CN |
4317601 | Dec 1994 | DE |
10209993 | Apr 2003 | DE |
0 212 696 | Mar 1987 | EP |
0473045 | Mar 1992 | EP |
0733342 | Sep 1996 | EP |
1433410 | Jun 2004 | EP |
1547641 | Jun 2005 | EP |
1550465 | Jul 2005 | EP |
1656879 | May 2006 | EP |
1666864 | Jun 2006 | EP |
1707221 | Oct 2006 | EP |
1556118 | Dec 2006 | EP |
2108303 | Oct 2009 | EP |
1726248 | Dec 2010 | EP |
1335659 | Apr 2011 | EP |
1551316 | Aug 2011 | EP |
2110068 | Aug 2011 | EP |
2764818 | Aug 2014 | EP |
1706169 | May 2015 | EP |
2320984 | Oct 2015 | EP |
S48-068542 | Jun 1973 | JP |
SHO50-016762 | Feb 1975 | JP |
JPS57-57804 | Apr 1982 | JP |
S62-002925 | Jun 1985 | JP |
SHO61-284226 | Dec 1986 | JP |
SHO62-002925 | Jan 1987 | JP |
S61-202274 | Jul 1988 | JP |
SHO63-102429 | Jul 1988 | JP |
SHO64-017203 | Jan 1989 | JP |
H2-58402 | Apr 1990 | JP |
H04-102436 | Apr 1992 | JP |
H04-297219 | Oct 1992 | JP |
HEI 05337081 | Dec 1993 | JP |
H06-63045 | Mar 1994 | JP |
HEI6-339455 | Dec 1994 | JP |
HEI7-12101 | Feb 1995 | JP |
HEI7-148105 | Jun 1995 | JP |
H08228996 | Sep 1996 | JP |
HEI10-127571 | May 1998 | JP |
HEI 10-286223 | Oct 1998 | JP |
HEI10-286309 | Oct 1998 | JP |
HEI11-225947 | Aug 1999 | JP |
2000-060793 | Feb 2000 | JP |
2000-189385 | Jul 2000 | JP |
2000-329534 | Nov 2000 | JP |
2002-34900 | Feb 2002 | JP |
2002-301019 | Oct 2002 | JP |
2003-275173 | Sep 2003 | JP |
2003250896 | Sep 2003 | JP |
2004-97718 | Apr 2004 | JP |
2004-329720 | Nov 2004 | JP |
2005-185704 | Jul 2005 | JP |
2005-185706 | Jul 2005 | JP |
2005-185707 | Jul 2005 | JP |
2005-205181 | Aug 2005 | JP |
2005-279128 | Oct 2005 | JP |
2005296256 | Oct 2005 | JP |
2005-334475 | Dec 2005 | JP |
2006-130014 | May 2006 | JP |
2006-167310 | Jun 2006 | JP |
2006-304906 | Nov 2006 | JP |
2006-334149 | Dec 2006 | JP |
2007-014475 | Jan 2007 | JP |
2007-026814 | Feb 2007 | JP |
2007-130082 | May 2007 | JP |
2007-517576 | Jul 2007 | JP |
2007-521907 | Aug 2007 | JP |
2007-268137 | Oct 2007 | JP |
2007-268147 | Oct 2007 | JP |
2007-296054 | Nov 2007 | JP |
2008-006000 | Jan 2008 | JP |
2008125886 | Jun 2008 | JP |
2008-537493 | Sep 2008 | JP |
2009-056121 | Mar 2009 | JP |
2009-195321 | Sep 2009 | JP |
2009-537212 | Oct 2009 | JP |
2009-254554 | Nov 2009 | JP |
2012504431 | Apr 2010 | JP |
9600099 | Jan 1996 | WO |
9830249 | Jul 1998 | WO |
02094087 | Nov 2002 | WO |
2005017854 | Feb 2005 | WO |
2005074377 | Aug 2005 | WO |
2005089625 | Sep 2005 | WO |
WO2006123590 | Nov 2006 | WO |
2007023492 | Mar 2007 | WO |
2007135665 | Nov 2007 | WO |
2008004228 | Jan 2008 | WO |
WO2008073126 | Jun 2008 | WO |
WO2008121143 | Oct 2008 | WO |
2008142685 | Nov 2008 | WO |
2009122395 | Oct 2009 | WO |
2010046891 | Apr 2010 | WO |
WO2010070291 | Jun 2010 | WO |
2010137025 | Dec 2010 | WO |
2011111040 | Sep 2011 | WO |
2014188402 | Nov 2014 | WO |
WO2014188402 | Nov 2014 | WO |
WO2015160970 | Oct 2015 | WO |
WO2016103247 | Jun 2016 | WO |
WO2017004432 | Jan 2017 | WO |
Entry |
---|
An International Search Report and a Written Opinion both dated Sep. 4, 2014, which issued during the prosecution of Applicant's PCT/IL2014/000025. |
An International Preliminary Report on Patentability dated Nov. 24, 2015, which issued during the prosecution of Applicant's PCT/IL2014/000025. |
European Search Report dated Jan. 4, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of Applicant's European App No. 14800390.8. |
An Office Action dated Dec. 9, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of Chinese Patent Application No. 201480029252.5. |
European Search Report dated Apr. 8, 2014, which issued during the prosecution of Applicant's European App No. 11752941.2. |
An Office Action dated May 25, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of Chinese Patent Application No. 201410483767.9. |
An International Search Report and a Written Opinion both dated Oct. 18, 2011 which issued during the prosecution of Applicant's PCT/IL2011/000222. |
An International Preliminary Report on Patentability dated Sep. 11, 2012, which issued during the prosecution of Applicant's PCT/IL2011/000222. |
An Office Action dated Mar. 16, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of Chinese Patent Application No. 201410483767.9. |
An Office Action dated Jun. 25, 2015, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 13/583,634. |
An Office Action dated Apr. 3, 2015, which issued during the prosecution of Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-556642. |
An Office Action dated Sep. 16, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-175589. |
An Office Action dated Feb. 11, 2015, which issued during the prosecution of Chinese Patent Application No. 2011/0013002.9. |
An Office Action dated Aug. 4, 2014, which issued during the prosecution of Chinese Patent Application No. 2011/0013002.9. |
An Office Action dated Feb. 22, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 13/583,634. |
An Office Action dated Apr. 4, 2014, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 13/583,634. |
An Office Action dated Nov. 5, 2014, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 13/583,634. |
An Office Action dated Jun. 14, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 13/583,634. |
Notice of Allowance dated May 28, 2015, which issued during the prosecution of Chinese Patent Application No. 2011/0013002.9. |
An Office Action dated May 24, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of Chinese Patent Application No. 201510483997.5. |
An Office Action dated Jul. 20, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of Chinese Patent Application No. 201510483785.7. |
An Office Action dated May 24, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of Chinese Patent Application No. 201510483785.7. |
An Office Action dated Jun. 3, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of Chinese Patent Application No. 201410484557.1. |
An Office Action dated Mar. 15, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of Chinese Patent Application No. 201410484557.1. |
An Office Action dated Jun. 1, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of Chinese Patent Application No. 201510484559.0. |
An Office Action dated Mar. 20, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of Chinese Patent Application No. 201510483997.5. |
An Office Action dated Mar. 20, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of Chinese Patent Application No. 201510484559.0. |
An Office Action dated Apr. 25, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of Chinese Patent Application No. 201510484558.6. |
Notice of Allowance dated Mar. 10, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of Chinese Patent Application No. 201510484558.6. |
An International Search Report and a Written Opinion both dated Jul. 13, 2012, which issued during the prosecution of Applicant's PCT/IL12/00003. |
An International Preliminary Report on Patentability dated Sep. 10, 2013, which issued during the prosecution of Applicant's PCT/IL12/00003. |
An Office Action dated Mar. 13, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of Chinese Patent Application No. 201510484566.0. |
An Office Action dated Apr. 25, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of Chinese Patent Application No. 201510484566.0. |
An Office Action dated Feb. 1, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of Australian Patent Application No. 2011225671. |
Notice of Allowance dated Feb. 10, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of Australian Patent Application No. 2011225671. |
Single Balloon Endoscope: Balloon pump control OBCU: http://medical.olympusamerica.com/products/control/ballooncontrol-unit-obcu,[online]. |
Single Balloon Endoscope: SIF-Q 1 80 enteroscope: http://medical.olympusamerica.com/products/enteroscope/evisexera-ii-sif-q180,[online]. |
An Office Action dated Jan. 21, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of Canadian Patent Application No. 2,791,838. |
European Search Report dated Jul. 16, 2014, which issued during the prosecution of Applicant's European App No. 12754885.7. |
EVIS EXERA II CLV-180 product brochure, http://www.olympus.nl/medical/en/medical_systems/hidden/downloadJsp.jsp?link=/medical/rmt/media/content/content 1/documents 1/brochures 1/ EVIS_EXERA_11_CLV-180_product_brochure_001_V1-en_GB_20000101.pdf, [online]. |
BS-2 Front Balloon, http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/medical/endoscopy/endoscopes/specialized-balloons-andovertube/index.html#balloonsspecifications, [online]. |
An Office Action dated Jan. 30, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of Canadian Patent Application No. 2,791,838. |
Double Balloon Endoscope: EC-450B15 colonoscope: http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products.medical/endoscopy/endoscopes/enteroscopes/index.html,[online]. |
Double Balloon Endoscope: Balloon pump controller BP-30: http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/medical/endoscopy/endoscopes/balloon-pump-controller/index.html,[online]. |
Double Balloon Endoscope: EPX-4440HD video system: http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/medical/endoscopy/video-systems/epx-4440hd, [online]. |
Double Balloon Endoscope: TS-13 101 overtube: http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/medical/endoscopy/endoscopes/specialized-balloons-and-overtube/index.html,[online]. |
Single Balloon Endoscope: ST-SB 1 overtube: http://medical.olympusamerica.com/products/tubes/single-use-st-sb 11, [online]. |
U.S. Appl. No. 61/855,688, filed May 21, 2013. |
U.S. Appl. No. 61/962,383, filed Nov. 6, 2013. |
A communication from the European Patent Office dated Jul. 23, 2015, which issued during the prosecution of European Application No. 12754885.7. |
An Office Action dated Nov. 22, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 13/583,634. |
An Office Action dated Mar. 18, 2015, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 13/583,634. |
An Office Action dated May 9, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 13/583,634. |
An Office Action dated Oct. 7, 2015, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 13/583,634. |
An Office Action dated Mar. 28, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 13/583,634. |
A communication from the European Patent Office dated Jul. 6, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of European Application No. 12754885.7. |
A communication from the European Patent Office dated May 17, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of European Application No. 12754885.7. |
An Office Action dated Apr. 15, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of Chinese Patent Application No. 201280022024.6. |
An Office Action dated May 26, 2015, which issued during the prosecution of Chinese Patent Application No. 201280022024.6. |
An Office Action dated Nov. 1, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of Chinese Patent Application No. 201280022024.6. |
An Office Action dated Dec. 9, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of Australian Patent Application No. 2012226390. |
Notice of Allowance dated Dec. 22, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of Australian Patent Application No. 2012226390. |
An Office Action dated Oct. 27, 2015, which issued during the prosecution of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-557219. |
An Office Action dated Oct. 24, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-557219. |
An Office Action dated Dec. 28, 2015, which issued during the prosecution of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-004799. |
An Office Action dated Dec. 6, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-004799. |
An Office Action dated Dec. 15, 2015, which issued during the prosecution of Australian Patent Application No. 2012226390. |
An Office Action dated Sep. 3, 2015, which issued during the prosecution of Israel Patent Application No. 221621. |
An Office Action dated Nov. 14, 2016, which issued during the prosecution of Israel Patent Application No. 228174. |
An Office Action dated Jul. 5, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of Chinese Patent Application No. 201280022024.6. |
An Office Action dated Jul. 18, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of Canadian Patent Application No. 2,828,608. |
An Office Action dated Jul. 24, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-556642. |
A Notice of Allowance dated Aug. 24, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of Chinese Patent Application No. 201510484557.1. |
An Office Action dated Sep. 18, 2017, which issued during the prosecution of U.S. Appl. No. 14/891,683. |
Notice of Allowance in Chinese Patent App. No. 201510483785.7, dated Sep. 26, 2017. |
Office Action in Chinese Patent App. No. 201510484566.0, dated Oct. 20, 2017. |
Notice of Allowance in Chinese Patent App. No. 201510484557.1, dated Aug. 24, 2017. |
Office Action in Chinese Patent App. No. 201510483767.9, dated Nov. 27, 2017. |
Office Action in Chinese Patent App. No. 201510484559.0, dated Dec. 14, 2017. |
Decision of Rejection in Chinese Patent App. No. 201510483997.5, dated Sep. 28, 2017. |
Office Action in Chinese Patent App. No. 201480029252.5, dated Nov. 1, 2017. |
Office Action in Australian Patent App. No. 2014269901, dated Jan. 12, 2018. |
Office Action in Australian Patent App. No. 2017202285, dated Jan. 4, 2018. |
Office Action in Canadian Patent App. No. 2,791,838, dated Dec. 15, 2017. |
Final Rejection in U.S. Appl. No. 14/003,799, dated Oct. 5, 2017. |
Non Final Rejection in U.S. Appl. No. 14/891,683, dated Sep. 18, 2017. |
Office Action in JP 2016189043 dated Jul. 24, 2017. |
Office Action in EP 11752941.2 dated Feb. 6, 2018. |
Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 14/003,799 dated Oct. 5, 2017. |
Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 14/003,799 dated Mar. 27, 2018. |
Office Action in JP 2017012628 dated Feb. 26, 2018. |
Office Action in JP 2016514529 dated Feb. 9, 2018. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability in WO/2016/157189 dated Oct. 3, 2017. |
International Search Report in WO/2016/157189 dated Sep. 7, 2016. |
Written Opinion of the International Search Authority in WO/2016/157189 dated Sep. 7, 2016. |
International Search Report in WO/2016/103247 dated Mar. 17, 2016. |
Written Opinion of the International Search Authority in WO/2016/103247 dated Mar. 17, 2016. |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability in WO/2016/103247 dated Jun. 27, 2017. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20180084973 A1 | Mar 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62178207 | Apr 2015 | US |