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:
Jul. 04, 2000
Filed:
Jan. 11, 1999
James G Strong, Skaneateles, NY (US);
Welch Allyn, Inc., Skaneateles Falls, NY (US);
Abstract
An endoscopic insertion tube includes a helically wound spiral tube and a net-like braid disposed in overlaying relation. A polymeric adhesive layer is applied over the length of the spiral tube and the outer peripheral surface of the braid. A pre-expanded hollow tubular sheath member is placed over the adhesive layer and is shrunk thereupon using heat to cross-link with the polymeric adhesive layer. The sheath includes a preferably multi-layer structure including at least an inner and an outer layer which can be co-extruded or applied to the assembly in separate sections. According to a preferred embodiment, the outer layer is a clear high-polymer material that allows printing applied to the exterior of the upper layer to be protected.