The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 20, 1983
Filed:
Oct. 23, 1980
Kitijiro Kohri, Hachioji, JP;
Olympus Optical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An endoscope comprises an internal space extending through the substantially whole length of the endoscope, at least one cylindrical end portion which is connected to the endoscope and provided with an air port open to the outside of the endoscope, only through which the internal space communicates with the open air, and a fluid-proof cap one end of which is open for insertion of the cylindrical end portion and the other end of which is closed, whose inner peripheral wall is shaped complementary to the outer peripheral wall of the cylindrical end portion, and which is provided with an O-ring disposed in the inner peripheral wall to seal in a fluid-tight state between the outer peripheral wall of the cylindrical end portion and the inner peripheral wall of the cap, and also provided with a fitting mechanism for detachably connecting the cap to the cylindrical end portion. Where the cylindrical end portion of the endoscope is pushed into the cap, the cylindrical end portion is sealed in a fluid-tight state. At this time, air held in the internal space of the endoscope is more compressed. When, therefore, fine holes or cracks are produced in the endoscope, the compressed air prevents a washing or disinfecting liquid from being carried into the internal space of the endoscope. Further where the endoscope is dipped in the water, generation of air bubbles in the water informs the operator of the presence of such defective parts as well as the locations thereof.