US4462408A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic endoscope having elongated array mounted in manner allowing it to remain flexible
Assignee: Advanced Technology Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1982-05-17
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Granted: 1984-07-31
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Expires: 2002-05-17
Abstract
Abstract The invention is a fiber-optic endoscope which has an elongated ultrasonic array, such as a linear array or a phased array. The array is mounted on either the distal portion of the bending section (not under operator control) portion of the endoscopic tube or on the proximal portion of bendable portion of the tube. Thus, the present invention includes both a fiber-optic endoscope and an ultrasonic transducer. Yet, the presence of the ultrasonic transducer does not interfere with the operation of the placement of the fiber-optic probe.
Inventors
- 👤 Fred E. Silverstein
- 👤 David Giuliani
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/005; A61B1/0051; A61B8/00; A61B8/12; A61B8/44; A61B8/4444; A61B8/445
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
An improved fiber-optic endoscope of the type comprising: (a) a tube having a bending section which can be bent under operator control, which tube includes a distal end portion which contains light transmitting and receiving means; (b) a control unit with which an operator can control, through control means, the position of said distal portion; (c) an intermediate insertion portion of said tube between said distal portion and said control unit; and (d) an elongated ultrasonic transducer of the type which provides cross-sectional images through a portion of the body, which transducer is mounted on said tube, wherein the improvement comprises the elongated ultrasonic transducer being mounted on the distal end of said insertion portion of said tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
An improved fiber-optic endoscope of the type comprising: (a) a tube having a bending section which can be bent under operator control, which tube includes a distal end portion which contains light transmitting and receiving means; (b) a control unit with which an operator can control, through control means, the position of said distal portion; (c) an intermediate insertion portion of said tube between said distal portion and said control unit; and (d) an elongated ultrasonic transducer of the type which provides cross-sectional images through a portion of the body, which transducer is mounted on said tube, wherein the improvement comprises the elongated ultrasonic transducer being mounted on the distal end of said insertion portion of said tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improved fiber-optic endoscope of claim 1 wherein said elongated untrasonic transducer has its long axis mounted along the axis of said tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improved fiber-optic endoscope of claim 2 wherein said elongated ultrasonic transducer is comprised of a linear array of multiple transducers, and said multiple transducers are aligned along the axis of said tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improved fiber-optic endoscope of claim 2 wherein said elongated ultrasonic transducer is comprised of a phased array of multiple transducers, and said multiple transducers are aligned along the axis of said tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improved fiber-optic endoscope of claim 1 wherein said insertion portion of said tube includes at least a second bending section and said elongated ultrasonic transducer is mounted between said bending section of said tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
138 words
An improved fiber-optic endoscope of the type comprising: (a) a tube having a bending section which can be bent under operator control, which tube includes a distal end portion which contains a light transmitting and receiving means; (b) a control unit with which an operator can control, through control means, the position of said distal portion; (c) an intermediate insertion portion of said tube between said distal portion and said control unit; and (d) an elongated ultrasonic transducer of the type which provides cross-sectional images through a portion of the the body, which transducer is mounted on said tube, wherein the improvement comprises the elongated ultrasonic transducer being mounted on the proximal end of said bending section of said tube that said light transmitting and receiving means can be bent back, under operator control, to observe said transducer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
138 words
An improved fiber-optic endoscope of the type comprising: (a) a tube having a bending section which can be bent under operator control, which tube includes a distal end portion which contains a light transmitting and receiving means; (b) a control unit with which an operator can control, through control means, the position of said distal portion; (c) an intermediate insertion portion of said tube between said distal portion and said control unit; and (d) an elongated ultrasonic transducer of the type which provides cross-sectional images through a portion of the the body, which transducer is mounted on said tube, wherein the improvement comprises the elongated ultrasonic transducer being mounted on the proximal end of said bending section of said tube that said light transmitting and receiving means can be bent back, under operator control, to observe said transducer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improved fiber-optic endoscope of claim 6 wherein said elongated ultrasonic transducer has its long axis mounted along the axis of said tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improved fiber-optic endoscope of claim 7 wherein said elongated ultrasonic transducer is comprised of a linear array of multiple transducers, and said multiple transducers are aligned along the axis of said tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improved fiber-optic endoscope of claim 7 wherein said elongated ultrasonic transducer is comprised of a phased array of multiple transducers, and said multiple transducers are aligned along the axis of said tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improved fiber-optic endoscope of claim 6 wherein said insertion portion of said tube includes at least a second bending section and said elongated ultrasonic transducer is mounted between said bending sections of said tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-07-31 | 1988-01-30 | 1988-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-07-31 | 1992-01-30 | 1992-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-07-31 | 1996-01-30 | 1996-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |