US4750476A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endoscope with multiple section image transmitting rod
Assignee: Baxter International Inc
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Filing: 1986-09-19
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Granted: 1988-06-14
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Expires: 2006-09-19
Abstract
Abstract An endoscope comprising a body, including an elongated tubular distal section adapted for insertion into a patient and optics for transmitting an image through the distal section so that the image can be viewed at a viewing location. The image-transmitting optics include an elongated image-transmitting rod for transmitting the image to at least a region of the distal section. The image-transmitting rod is subject to breakage by bending forces and is divided longitudinally into discrete elongated rod sections to thereby reduce the likelihood of breakage by bending forces.
Inventors
- 👤 John F. Forkner
- 👤 Robert J. Freiberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 06:15
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/002; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
An endoscope comprising: a body including an elongated tubular distal section adapted for insertion into a patient and a proximal viewing location; image-transmitting means for transmitting an image through the distal section so that the image can be viewed at the viewing location, said image-transmitting means having an optical axis; said image-transmitting means including an elongated image-transmitting rod of gradient index material for transmitting the image through at least a region of the distal section and a lens positioned distally of the image-transmitting rod; and said image-transmitting rod being subject to breakage by bending forces and being divided longitudinally into discrete elongated rod sections to thereby reduce the likelihood of breakage by bending forces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
An endoscope comprising: a body including an elongated tubular distal section adapted for insertion into a patient and a proximal viewing location; image-transmitting means for transmitting an image through the distal section so that the image can be viewed at the viewing location, said image-transmitting means having an optical axis; said image-transmitting means including an elongated image-transmitting rod of gradient index material for transmitting the image through at least a region of the distal section and a lens positioned distally of the image-transmitting rod; and said image-transmitting rod being subject to breakage by bending forces and being divided longitudinally into discrete elongated rod sections to thereby reduce the likelihood of breakage by bending forces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An endoscope as defined in claim 1 including a sleeve within said body receiving end portions of adjacent rod sections of the image-transmitting rod for coupling such adjacent rod sections together.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
An endoscope as defined in claim 2 wherein said sleeve includes shrink tubing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An endoscope as defined in claim 1 including flexible coupling means for coupling together adjacent rod sections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
An endoscope as defined in claim 1 wherein said distal section includes an elongated resiliently bendable tube and said image-transmitting rod extends within said tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
An endoscope as defined in claim 5 including light-transmitting fibers extending within the tube to a location adjacent a distal end of the tube and forming a tunnel, said image-transmitting rod being at least partially in the tunnel and being cushioned by the light-transmitting fibers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
An endoscope as defined in claim 1 wherein end portions of adjacent rod sections of said image-transmitting rod are fastened together using transparent flexible adhesive, there being a finite gap between the ends of said rod sections.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
124 words
An endoscope comprising: a body including an elongated tubular distal section adapted for insertion into a patient and a proximal viewing location; image-transmitting means for transmitting an image through the distal section so that the image can be viewed at the viewing location, said image-transmitting means having an optical axis; said image-transmitting means including an elongated image-transmitting rod of gradient index material for transmitting the image through at least a region of the distal section; said image-transmitting rod being subject to breakage by bending forces and being divided longitudinally into discrete elongated rod sections to thereby reduce the likelihood of breakage by bending forces; and said image-transmitting rod being divided longitudinally at a region where light conducted by the image-transmitting rod is substantially collimated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
124 words
An endoscope comprising: a body including an elongated tubular distal section adapted for insertion into a patient and a proximal viewing location; image-transmitting means for transmitting an image through the distal section so that the image can be viewed at the viewing location, said image-transmitting means having an optical axis; said image-transmitting means including an elongated image-transmitting rod of gradient index material for transmitting the image through at least a region of the distal section; said image-transmitting rod being subject to breakage by bending forces and being divided longitudinally into discrete elongated rod sections to thereby reduce the likelihood of breakage by bending forces; and said image-transmitting rod being divided longitudinally at a region where light conducted by the image-transmitting rod is substantially collimated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
An endoscope as defined in claim 8 including a flexible sleeve receiving portions of adjacent rod sections of the image-transmitting rod for coupling such adjacent rod sections together.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
66 words
An endoscope as defined in claim 9 wherein said distal section includes an elongated resiliently bendable tube and said image-transmitting rod extends within said tube, said endoscope includes light-transmitting fibers extending within the tube to a location adjacent a distal end of the tube and forming a tunnel, and said image-transmitting rod being at least partially in the tunnel and being cushioned by the light-transmitting fibers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
An endoscope as defined in claim 8 wherein end portions of adjacent rod sections of said image-transmitting rod are fastened together using transparent flexible adhesive, there being a finite gap between the ends of said rod sections.
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) | 1991-06-14 | 1991-12-14 | 1992-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-06-14 | 1995-12-14 | 1996-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-06-14 | 1999-12-14 | 2000-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |