US3596653A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endoscope with coincident illumination and viewing
Assignee: HOTCHKISS INSTRUMENTS Inc
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Filing: 1968-08-27
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Granted: 1971-08-03
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Expires: 1988-08-27
Abstract
Abstract An endoscope for the simultaneous illumination and viewing of an area in a cavity, the endoscope having a housing with a sight passage between a viewing aperture and an aligned, spaced-apart sight aperture. A mirror defining a portion of the sight passage is disposed linearly opposite an electrical light source directing light on the mirror for reflection along the axis of the sight passage, through the sight aperture and onto the area being viewed. A light shield prevents the direct passage of light from the source to the viewing aperture and interior portions of the housing have nonreflecting light-absorbing surfaces to minimize glare at the viewing aperture. A magnifying lens in the sight passage is slanted to eliminate sight-disturbing glare and reflection on its surface, converges the reflected light at a point beyond the sight aperture, and magnifies the image of the area viewed at the viewing aperture. The lens separates the sight aperture from the viewing aperture and the housing includes a sealable opening adjacent the sight aperture and a porthole for connecting air-pumping means with the sight aperture to permit the performance of pneumoscopy. Means can be provided for adjusting the focal point of the reflected light. An electric power source is coupled with the light source via a switch.
Inventors
- 👤 John E Hotchkiss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:33
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/24; G02B23/2476; G02B23/2484; A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/04; A61B1/227; A61B1/2275
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
An endoscope for viewing an image of a cavity or the like comprising: a housing having a viewing aperture and a sight aperture visible through said viewing aperture and separated by a sight passage; said housing formed to have an opening to its interior between said viewing aperture and said sight aperture, and said housing having means to demountably receive and retain a holder means adjacent said opening; reflector means disposed intermediate said viewing aperture and said sight aperture defining a portion of the sight passage; holder means demountably secured in said housing between said reflector means and said sight aperture and adjacent said opening, said holder means having a dimension smaller than said opening whereby said holder means is disposed in said means through said opening; an electrical light source mounted to said holder means and disposed to direct light onto said reflector means to provide reflected light for passage along said sight passage and through said sight aperture; and a lens secured to said holder means and disposed in the sight passage for converging reflected light at a point beyond the sight aperture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
An endoscope for viewing an image of a cavity or the like comprising: a housing having a viewing aperture and a sight aperture visible through said viewing aperture and separated by a sight passage; said housing formed to have an opening to its interior between said viewing aperture and said sight aperture, and said housing having means to demountably receive and retain a holder means adjacent said opening; reflector means disposed intermediate said viewing aperture and said sight aperture defining a portion of the sight passage; holder means demountably secured in said housing between said reflector means and said sight aperture and adjacent said opening, said holder means having a dimension smaller than said opening whereby said holder means is disposed in said means through said opening; an electrical light source mounted to said holder means and disposed to direct light onto said reflector means to provide reflected light for passage along said sight passage and through said sight aperture; and a lens secured to said holder means and disposed in the sight passage for converging reflected light at a point beyond the sight aperture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
An endoscope according to claim 1 wherein said holder means is slideably disposed in grooves defined by said housing, and wherein said housing includes a second opening adjacent said holder means and opposing said first-named opening whereby an object can be inserted through said second opening to eject said holder means from said housing through said first-named opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The endoscope according to claim 2 further comprising cover means releasably secured to said housing covering a portion at least of said first-named opening reducing the dimensions thereof to prevent ejection of said holder means without first removing said cover means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
An endoscope according to claim 1 including an electrical terminal mechanically secured to said housing and forming an electrical connection between said light source and an electrical power source, and wherein said terminal is spring biased into engagement with said holder means releasably securing said holder means to said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The endoscope according to claim 1 further comprising a cover means releasably secured to said housing and defining with said holder means a closed compartment within said housing including said reflector means, said lens, and said light source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The endoscope according to claim 5 wherein the surface of said cover means facing the interior of said compartment is a nonreflective surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the lens includes a central aperture providing an unobstructed view between the viewing and the sight apertures while converging light reflected by the reflector on the area.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
154 words
An endoscope for viewing an image of a cavity or the like comprising in combination: a main housing portion forming a generally closed compartment and defining a viewing aperture and containing an illumination system including a reflector; a second housing portion integrally formed to said main portion in opposition to said viewing aperture and defining a sight aperture visible along a sight axis from said viewing aperture through said main housing portion, said second portion defining an operating opening between said main housing portion and said sight aperture for the admission of operating tools; a side-defining part of said main housing portion between said opeRating opening and said viewing aperture disposed in a plane which is angularly inclined with respect to the sight axis, which plane intersects the plane of said aperture near the center thereof; and said second housing portion having mounting means formed and dimensioned to demountably secure a detachable speculum thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
154 words
An endoscope for viewing an image of a cavity or the like comprising in combination: a main housing portion forming a generally closed compartment and defining a viewing aperture and containing an illumination system including a reflector; a second housing portion integrally formed to said main portion in opposition to said viewing aperture and defining a sight aperture visible along a sight axis from said viewing aperture through said main housing portion, said second portion defining an operating opening between said main housing portion and said sight aperture for the admission of operating tools; a side-defining part of said main housing portion between said opeRating opening and said viewing aperture disposed in a plane which is angularly inclined with respect to the sight axis, which plane intersects the plane of said aperture near the center thereof; and said second housing portion having mounting means formed and dimensioned to demountably secure a detachable speculum thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
An endoscope according to claim 8 wherein said side-defining part is a cover removably mounted to said main housing portion, and wherein reflector means is disposed interiorly of the compartment and is defined by a straight edge proximate said cover.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The endoscope of claim 8 wherein said second portion is further defined by a tapered edge defining said operating opening to increase the entrance for tools.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
An endoscope according to claim 8 further including means pneumatically separating said operating opening from said viewing aperture.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The endoscope of claim 11, wherein said last-named means includes a lens holder and lens disposed between said operating opening and said viewing aperture and located to position said lens in said sight passage to permit the viewed image to be magnified.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
An endoscope according to claim 11, including a speculum secured to the housing adjacent and aligned with the sight aperture for the viewing of a cavity in which the area is disposed, a free end of the speculum having an exterior annular flange adapted to seal with walls defining the cavity.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
An endoscope according to claim 11 wherein the housing includes a porthole adjacent and in flow communication with the sight aperture and adapted to receive a source of pressurized gas.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
An endoscope according to claim 14 wherein the operating opening is formed to have a periphery which is adapted to be pneumatically sealed by a thumb overlayed thereon.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
101 words
The endoscope of claim 8, wherein said second housing portion comprises a mounting ring for receiving and holding specula and defining said sight aperture, said ring disposed in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of said side part of said main housing portion and held in a location where the plane of said side part passes close to the center of said ring; and a connecting cylinder integrally attaching said ring to said main body portion wherein substantially all of said connecting cylinder between the plane of said side part and said ring is removed to form said operating opening.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-02 | 1975-02-01 | 1975-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-02 | 1979-02-01 | 1979-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-02 | 1983-02-01 | 1983-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |