Patent ID: 6293907
Filing Date: 2001-09-25
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A removable cover for an endoscope shaft, the cover comprising an elongate sleeve (4) of thin elastic material, the sleeve having a single tubular wall with an inner surface and an outer surface, the sleeve being arranged for application over an endoscope shaft (2) with the sleeve extending along at least a major part of the length of the shaft and with close contact between the inner surface and the shaft holding the sleeve against movement longitudinally of the shaft during displacement of the shaft through a body passage into which the shaft is inserted in use, and the outer surface of the sleeve has protrusions so configured that the cover and the endoscope shaft onto which the cover is applied have a low frictional resistance during forward displacement of the endoscope shaft and cover through the body passage and a greater frictional resistance during rearward displacement of the endoscope shaft and cover through the body passage, wherein the sleeve has protrusions of wedge-shaped profile in longitudinal section.