EP0316244A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Video equipped endoscope with needle probe
Assignee: Welch Allyn Inc
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Filing: 1988-11-08
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-11-08
Abstract
Abstract A video equipped endoscope comprises a needleprobe (16) for examining an interior target through a small opening. The probe (16) is formed of a steel tubular sleeve (18) containing a self-focusing rod lens (24), surrounded by a fibre optic bundle (32) for illuminating the target area. An image of the target is sent to a miniature solid-state imager (52), provided in a housing (12), and is converted into a video signal that is transmitted, through a long flexible conduit, to a video monitor. A guide tube (20) can be affixed on the sleeve (18) to guide a tool into the target area.
Inventors
- 👤 Jimmie B. Allred Iii
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:59
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/313; A61B1/317; A61B1/04; A61B1/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
An instrument for examining a remote target area through a very small opening in which a main housing has an elongated probe in the form of a rigid sleeve and an optical lens system within the sleeve, the sleeve having a proximal end in connection with the interior of the main housing and a distal end, and the optical lens system carrying an image of the target area from the distal end of the sleeve into the interior of the main housing, and an illumination conduit in the sleeve carries illumination through the sleeve into the target area; characterized in that a solid state imager assembly (36) disposed within the main housing (12) has associated focusing optics (50) along its optic axis and along the optic axis of the optical lens system (24), and produces a video output signal that corresponds to an image of the target area; a coupler (64,66) connects the imager assembly (36) to a video display device (69) to carry thereto said video output signal; and an optical coupler (70,72) couples said illumination conduit (32) to a source of illumination (68).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
An instrument for examining a remote target area through a very small opening in which a main housing has an elongated probe in the form of a rigid sleeve and an optical lens system within the sleeve, the sleeve having a proximal end in connection with the interior of the main housing and a distal end, and the optical lens system carrying an image of the target area from the distal end of the sleeve into the interior of the main housing, and an illumination conduit in the sleeve carries illumination through the sleeve into the target area; characterized in that a solid state imager assembly (36) disposed within the main housing (12) has associated focusing optics (50) along its optic axis and along the optic axis of the optical lens system (24), and produces a video output signal that corresponds to an image of the target area; a coupler (64,66) connects the imager assembly (36) to a video display device (69) to carry thereto said video output signal; and an optical coupler (70,72) couples said illumination conduit (32) to a source of illumination (68).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The instrument of claim 1 further characterized in that said sleeve (18) comprises a stainless-steel tube substantially 2 mm in diameter or less.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The instrument of claim 1 further characterized in that a sealing member (34) renders the probe (16) heat sterilizable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The instrument of claim 1 further characterized in that a guide tube (20) is affixed onto said sleeve (18) for introducing and guiding a tool into the target area of said probe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The instrument of claim 1 further characterized in that a key (80) on the outer surface of the housing (12) indicates the orientation of the imager assembly (36).
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