Claims for Patent: 5,297,537

Summary for Patent: 5,297,537

Title:	Disposable liquid supply kit for use in an endoscope
Abstract:	A disposable liquid supply system comprises a closed liquid container, a first flexible tube connected to the container and terminating at the top thereof for introducing a gas into the container, and a second flexible tube connected to the container and terminating at the bottom thereof for supplying a liquid to an endoscope. The container which contains a desired liquid, and the first and second tubes form a disposable, closed sealed unit which is connectable to an endoscope prior to use.
Inventor(s):	Savitt; Robert (Dover Plains, NY), Siddall; Christopher O. R. (Rye, NY)
Assignee:	Endoscopy Support Services, Inc. (Patterson, NY)
Application Number:	08/091,454
Patent Claims:	1. A disposable liquid supply system kit for use in supplying a liquid to an endoscope, said kit comprising, in combination a kit package and a plurality of articles contained therein, said articles including: a) a closed and sealed liquid container having an openable top with a frangible seal and a bottom, said container containing a liquid; b) a first flexible tube having a first end connectable to said container when said kit is assembled and terminating at said top when connected to said container for introducing a gas into said container, and having a second, opposite end adapted to be connected to an endoscope; and c) a second flexible tube having a first end connectable to said container when said kit is assembled and terminating at said bottom when connected to said container for supplying a liquid to an endoscope, and having a second, opposite end adapted to be connected to an endoscope; said container forming a closed, sealed, liquid-containing unit which is unsealed prior to use and connected to an endoscope via said first and second tubes. 2. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 1, wherein said liquid is sterile water. 3. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 1, wherein said liquid is a cleaning fluid. 4. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 1, wherein said liquid is a disinfecting solution. 5. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second tubes are connected together in parallel. 6. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 5, wherein said first and second tubes are separate, individual tubes. 7. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 5, wherein said first and second tubes are formed of an integral tube structure with two longitudinal openings. 8. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 1, wherein one of said first and second tubes is arranged inside of the other. 9. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second tubes are closed at their free ends one end. 10. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 9, wherein said first and second tubes each include a frangible diaphragm at said one end which closes the respective tube opening and which may be broken when the free end of the respective tube is forced over a rigid pipe stem. 11. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 9, wherein said first and second tubes are heat-sealed at said one end. 12. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 9, wherein said first and second tubes are flared outward at said one end to facilitate sliding onto rigid pipe stems. 13. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 1, further comprising an adapter connected to one end of said first and second tubes, for connection to the gas/liquid coupler of an endoscope. 14. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 1, further comprising an adapter for connection to one end of said first and second tubes and to the gas/liquid coupler of an endoscope. 15. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 14, wherein said first and second tubes each include a frangible diaphragm at said one end which closes the respective tube opening and which may be broken when the respective tube is forced over a rigid pipe stem and wherein said adaptor has a rigid pipe stem protruding therefrom for insertion, respectively, in said one end of said first and second tubes. 16. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 1, further comprising a one-way valve in said second tube, permitting liquid to exit from said container, but not to enter it when said kit is assembled. 17. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 1, wherein said container is substantially rigid. 18. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 1, wherein said container has at least one opening in one side thereof for insertion of at least one rigid tube. 19. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 1, wherein said container is a flexible bag. 20. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 1, wherein said container includes a handle to facilitate holding. 21. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 20, wherein said flap has an aperture to facilitate hanging. 22. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 19, wherein said bag is substantially flat and rectangular in shape. 23. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 19, further comprising a bag holder having a pouch for supporting said flexible bag. 24. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 1, wherein said container is made of a translucent plastic. 25. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 1, wherein said container is a substantially rigid rectangular box. 26. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 25, wherein said container is made of cardboard, and is lined, on its inside, with a flexible sheet of liquid impervious material. 27. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 25, wherein said liquid impervious material is a plastic. 28. The liquid supply system kit defined in claim 25, wherein said liquid impervious material is a metal foil. 29. The water supply system defined in claim 18, further comprising two rigid tubes, connected to said first and second flexible tubes, respectfully, for insertion in said container, each rigid tube being adapted for insertion in a separate one of said openings. 30. The water supply system defined in claim 29, wherein said rigid tubes each include a tapered barb to prevent its removal from the respective opening. 31. The water supply system kit defined in claim 29, wherein said rigid tubes include a flexible seal for engagement with the perimeter of the respective opening. 32. The water supply system kit defined in claim 29, wherein one of said tubes has a length substantially equal to the height of said container, and the other of said tubes has a length which is substantially shorter than the height of said container. 33. The water supply system kit defined in claim 29, wherein said two rigid tubes have tapered ends to facilitate insertion in said two openings.

Details for Patent 5,297,537

Applicant	Tradename	Biologic Ingredient	Dosage Form	BLA	Approval Date	Patent No.	Expiredate
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.	ZOSTAVAX	zoster vaccine live	For Injection	125123	05/25/2006		2011-03-29