| abstract |
Apparatus and methods for attaching and forming enclosed inflatable members on an endoscope assembly (10) with a disposable sheath (103) are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a cuff member (100) that is positioned on the outer surface of the disposable sheath and sealably and fixedly bonded to the sheath cover at the cuff edges to form an annular space capable of being inflated. The inflatable member formed thereby is inflated through a lumen (124) internal to the sheath that has an opening into the interior annular space (136). In another embodiment, the cuff member is a flexible and resilient member (202) that is substantially toroidal in shape. In a further embodiment, the inflatable member is formed from an excess length of sheath cover material disposed on the disposable sheath. A single reentrant fold (540) of sheath material is formed with an edge. |