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Publication Number
US-10610084-B2
Publication Date
2020-04-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
This invention relates to a tip protector for an instrument such as an endoscope or borescope. A tip protector device for an instrument comprises a guard portion engagable with a tip of an instrument, the guard portion including an abutment surface arranged to contact the tip such that a part of the guard portion extends distally of an end face of the tip, and the guard portion being configured to prevent contact between the guard portion and a central portion of the end face; gripping members arranged to grip a part of a shaft of the instrument; a first connection member; and a second connection member, the first and second connection members being movable relative to each other between a first, disengaged position in which the tip of the instrument can be inserted into and removed from the tip protector device, and a second, gripping position in which the gripping members contact and grip the shaft of the instrument, wherein, the first and second connection members are biased in the first or the second position.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a tip protector device for an instrument having an elongate shaft with a distal tip and an end face. A guard portion is engagable with the tip and includes an abutment surface arranged to contact the tip so that part of the guard portion extends distally of the end face. The guard portion is configured to prevent contact between the guard portion and a central portion of the end face.
The tip protector device further includes a first gripping member and a second gripping member arranged to grip a part of the shaft at a distance from the end face. A first connection member and a second connection member are provided, where the gripping members extend from ends of the respective connection members. The first and second connection members are movable relative to each other between a first, disengaged position for inserting and removing the tip and a second, gripping position in which the gripping members contact and grip the shaft, and the connection members are biased into the first position.
Latching means are configured to retain the first and second connection members in the second gripping position. The document additionally describes apertures or holes in the guard and connection regions for air flow and drainage, and structural embodiments including one-piece construction, cover plates, collar-shaped gripping with ventilating holes, resilient guide fingers for centering, latching by detents, ratchets, or interengaging teeth or sawtooth profiles, and a breakable tab that conceals latching and includes distinguishing means such as CLEAN or DIRTY to indicate prior use or cross-contamination risk.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim defines one core tip protector device architecture, including a guard portion geometry, dual gripping members, a biased movable connection mechanism with insertion/removal and gripping positions, and latching means to retain the gripping position. Dependent claims refine the structure and also describe an assembly where the instrument is an endoscope and a security feature using a breakable tab with distinguishing means.
Guard portion that prevents central end face contact while extending distally
A guard portion engagable with the tip includes an abutment surface arranged to contact the tip such that a part of the guard portion extends distally of the end face and is configured to prevent contact between the guard portion and a central portion of the end face.
Dual gripping members clamp the shaft at a distance from the end face
A first gripping member and a second gripping member are arranged to grip a part of the shaft at a distance from the end face, where each gripping member extends from an end of a respective connection member.
Biased, movable first and second connection members provide disengaged and gripping positions
First and second connection members are movable relative to each other between a first, disengaged position in which the tip can be inserted into and removed from the tip protector device and a second, gripping position in which the gripping members contact and grip the shaft, with the first and second connection members biased into the first position.
Latching means retain the connection members in the gripping position
Latching means are configured to retain the first and second connection members in the second gripping position.
Across the independent claim, the central inventive structure is a guard portion that engages the tip while preventing central end face contact, combined with dual gripping members that clamp the shaft at a distance from the end face. A biased movable connection mechanism enables an insertion/removal disengaged position and a gripping position, and latching means retain the device in the gripping position.
Stated Advantages
Improved air flow and drainage via apertures or holes in the guard and connection regions.
Prevents contact between the guard portion and a central portion of the end face.
Conceals latching and provides distinguishing means such as CLEAN or DIRTY to reveal prior use or cross-contamination risk.
Documented Applications
A tip protector device for an instrument where the instrument is an endoscope, including the assembly characterization stated in the document.
A tip protector device for an instrument including an endoscope or borescope, as described in the document summary.
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