ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 3 -- United States Patent no. 12,342,985, issued on July 1, was assigned to GA HEALTH COMPANY Ltd. (Shek Mun, Hong Kong).

"Endoscope end protector" was invented by Kenneth McCabe (Shatin, Hong Kong).

According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "An endoscope distal end protector and method including a body having a plurality of interconnected spaced members forming a body interior. The body has a longitudinal axis and defines a plurality of openings into the body interior. A first cover is disposed on the body and includes a first aperture formed therein. The first aperture is deformable and adapted to permit an endoscope distal end to pass therethrough and into the body interior and ada...