IP Library Granted Patent US 9,572,483
Granted Patent B2
US 9,572,483 · App. 14/318,328 · Granted Feb 21, 2017

Combined irrigation and rinsing tube set

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,572,483
App. No.
14/318,328
Granted
Feb 21, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A combined tube set for a disposable water bottle for a medical instrument includes a cap with threads suitable for attachment to various water bottles. The combined tube set provides a first tube set for rinsing that includes an air and water tubes, and air/water connector The combined tube set also provides a second tube set for irrigation that includes an irrigation connector, backflow valve(s), and flexible tubing section. In some embodiments, the tube set can provide warm and/or humid gas to the endoscope.

Claims (30)

1. A combined tube set comprising: a first tube set utilized to providing rinsing fluid for an endoscope, wherein the first tube set provides an air tube and a water tube, the air tube and the water tube being arranged coaxially at a surface of the bottle cap, the water tube configured to extend through a bottle cap; a second tube set utilized to provide irrigation fluid for the endoscope, wherein the second tube set optionally comprises a flexible section; and a third tube set utilized to provide gas to the system, wherein the second tube set and third tube set is configured to extend through the bottle cap, wherein the bottle cap comprises a liner capable of sealing a surface of a bottle, and a gap is formed between an inner face of the cap and a portion of the liner opposing the inner face, wherein the gap is located between the inner face of the bottle cap and the portion of the liner opposing the inner face, the liner having at least one opening that generally aligns with an opening of the bottle cap, the opening of the liner and the opening of the bottle cap configured to receive the second and the third tube set, and the water tube has a diameter smaller than the air tube, the second tube set and the third tube set.

2. The tube set of claim 1 wherein:

a bottle cap connected to the first tube set and the second tube set, and the third tube set, wherein the bottle cap provides threads that allow the bottle cap to be attached to a variety of different water bottles; and

the liner forms an air-tight seal between the bottle cap and a water bottle.

3. A tube set of claim 2 where the geometry of the liner causes the liner to form an air tight seal on any of several bottles by using a varying inner diameter to compress the liner against the bottles' different outer diameters and/or different rim heights.

4. The tube set of claim 1 further comprising an adaptor or a connector attached to the end of the second tube set, wherein the adaptor or connector is utilized to directly attach the second tube set to the endoscope.

5. A tube set of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the tube sets comprise a valve configured to prevent material from moving in a direction of the bottle cap passed the valve.

6. A tube set of claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the third tube set is beveled.

7. A tube set of claim 1 , wherein the third tube set has a first length defined by a distance between an inner surface of the bottle cap and a tip of the third tube set that is greater than a second length of the water tube defined by a distance between the inner surface of the bottle cap and a tip of the water tube.

8. A tube set of claim 7 , wherein the second tube set extends through the bottle cap and has a third length defined by a distance between the inner surface of the bottle cap and a tip of the second tube set that is greater than the first length and the second length.

9. A tube set of claim 1 , wherein the air tube is secured to the bottle cap without extending through the bottle cap.

10. A tube set of claim 1 , wherein the water tube is discontinuous with the air tube.

11. A tube set of claim 1 , wherein the second tube set is configured to extend through the bottle cap.

12. A tube set of claim 1 , wherein the third tube set is configured to extend through the bottle cap.

13. A tube set of claim 1 , wherein the bottle cap has a reinforced rim attached to the bottle cap to receive the first tube set and the second tube set.

14. A tube set of claim 1 , wherein the liner comprises an inclined inner surface configured to engage a variety of bottle necks of varying heights and diameters, and the liner has an inner diameter having a tapered configuration, which is not constant.

15. A tube set of claim 1 , wherein the liner has at least one opening configured to receive the first tube set.

16. A tube set of claim 1 , wherein the opening of the liner and the opening of the bottle cap are configured to receive the water tube.

17. A tube assembly comprising: a first tube set configured to provide a liquid to an instrument, wherein the first tube set provides a gas and the liquid to the instrument via an air tube and a water tube, the air tube and the water tube being arranged coaxially at a surface of the bottle cap, wherein the water tube extends through a bottle cap and the air tube is secured to the bottle cap without extending through the bottle; and a second tube set configured to provide the liquid to the instrument, wherein the second tube set comprises a flexible section and the second tube set extends through the bottle cap, wherein the bottle cap comprises a liner capable of sealing a surface of a bottle, and a gap is formed between an inner face of the cap and a portion of the liner opposing the inner face of the cap, and the liner having at least one opening that generally aligns with an opening of the bottle cap, the opening of the liner and the opening of the bottle cap configured to receive the second tube set, and the water tube has a diameter smaller than the air tube, and the second tube set.

18. A tube assembly according to claim 17 , wherein (i) the tube assembly further comprises a third tube set configured to provide gas to the instrument or (ii) the liquid is the same composition in the first tube set and the second tube set.

19. A tube assembly according to claim 18 , wherein at least one of (i) at least a portion of the water tube runs within the air tube and the water tube extends within the bottle; (ii) the air tube is separate from the water tube and the water tube extends within the bottle; or (iii) the first tube set, the second tube set, and the third tube set are separate from each other.

20. A tube assembly according to claim 18 , wherein at least one of (i) the first, second, and/or third tube set comprise at least one air filter, pincher clip, back flow valve and/or connector; or (ii) a portion of the first, second, and/or third tube is contained within an adapter.

21. A combined tube set comprising:

a bottle cap comprising a liner capable of sealing a surface of a bottle, a gap being formed between an inner face of the cap and a portion of the liner opposing the inner face;

a first tube set utilized to provide rinsing fluid for an endoscope, wherein the first tube set provides an air tube and a water tube, the air tube and the water tube being arranged coaxially at a surface of the bottle cap, the bottle cap having an opening and the liner having an opening aligned with the opening of the bottle cap, and the opening of the bottle cap and the opening of the liner configured to receive the water tube, the water tube extending through the bottle cap;

a second tube set utilized to provide irrigation fluid for the endoscope, wherein the second tube set optionally comprises a flexible section; and

a third tube set utilized to provide gas to the system,

wherein the second tube set and third tube set each extend through the opening of the bottle cap and the opening of the liner, and the water tube has a diameter smaller than the air tube, the second and the third tube set.

22. A combined tube set of claim 21 , wherein the first tube set comprises the water tube having a first length below the cap and the second tube set comprises a second length below the cap, and the third tube set comprises a third length below the cap, wherein the first length, the second length and the third length below the cap are all different.

23. A combined tube set of claim 21 , wherein the water tube, second and third tube sets are configured to extend through the bottle cap and contact the irrigation and/or rinsing fluid.

Assignments (4)
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jun 3, 2021
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: MEDIVATORS INC.
Reel/Frame 056470/0057 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jun 28, 2018
From: MEDIVATORS INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 046452/0970 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 11, 2018
From: MINNTECH CORPORATION
To: MEDIVATORS INC.
Reel/Frame 046334/0404 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 7, 2018
From: BENDELE, TRAVIS HENRY; ADAMS, CHRISTOPHER STEVEN; GRUDO, DINA; BYRNE, DON; SMITH, LEON RUSS
To: MINNTECH CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 046012/0854 →