Patent ID: 6110103
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A disposable sheath for an endoscope having an endoscope shaft with a viewing end through which a field of view is taken and with a cross sectional size; the disposable sheath comprising:a) a disposable elongated sleeve having an elongated wall defining an endoscope receiving space having a cross sectional size larger than the cross sectional size of the endoscope shaft so as to accommodate the endoscope shaft therein and define an irrigation space of annular cross section area having a radial extent between said elongated wall and the endoscope shaft,b) said sleeve having a distal end closed by a distal end cover and being of predetermined length to enable said distal end cover to engage the viewing end of the endoscope shaft when the endoscope shaft is in said endoscope receiving space, said distal end cover defining a plurality of irrigation outlet openings and having an optically clear portion to provide a clear field of view through said distal end cover from the viewing end of the endoscope shaft, said optically clear portion having an outside surface,c) said sleeve being self supporting, non-inflatable, non-expandable and said annular cross section area being sized to ensure that irrigation solution passing into said irrigation space does not drip uncontrollably from said irrigation outlet openings defined by said distal end cover of said sleeve when the flow of irrigation solution is stopped,d) said irrigation outlet openings being equally spaced around said optically clear portion and communicating with said irrigation space such that irrigation solution directed into said irrigation space can flow out of said irrigation outlet openings and onto said outside surface of said distal end cover to flush surgical debris from said outside surface of said distal end cover and away from the viewing end of the endoscope shaft to provide a clear field of view from the viewing end of the endoscope shaft.