US5624432A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Illuminating bougie and methods for diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical procedures
Assignee: APPALOOSA MANAGEMENT LP
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Filing: 1995-02-17
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Granted: 1997-04-29
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Expires: 2015-02-17
Abstract
Abstract An illuminated bougie in which the elongate bougie body is formed of flexible light-transmitting material. A socket for detachably attaching the light-transmitting end of a fiber optic bundle is formed in the proximal end of the bougie.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean P. Angelchik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 00:26
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/06; A61B1/07; A61B17/00; A61B90/00; A61B90/30; A61B2090/306
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
An illuminated bougie for insertion into a human body through a normal body opening or a surgical incision comprising: a) an elongate bougie having a proximal end and a distal end, and being formed of a flexible plastic material which transmits and diffuses light laterally to illuminate adjacent body tissue along the entire length of said bougie; (b) means for attaching the proximal end of said bougie to the light-transmitting end of a fiber optic bundle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
An illuminated bougie for insertion into a human body through a normal body opening or a surgical incision comprising: a) an elongate bougie having a proximal end and a distal end, and being formed of a flexible plastic material which transmits and diffuses light laterally to illuminate adjacent body tissue along the entire length of said bougie; (b) means for attaching the proximal end of said bougie to the light-transmitting end of a fiber optic bundle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method of illuminating interior body tissue, which includes the steps of: (a) inserting the bougie of claim 1 into the body; (b) locating the bougie adjacent selected body tissue to be illuminated; and (c) transmitting light through the entire length of said bougie to illuminate said selected body tissue.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-04-28 | 2000-10-28 | 2001-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-04-28 | 2004-10-28 | 2005-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-04-28 | 2008-10-28 | 2009-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |