Patent EP0121411A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4807594A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adapter assembly for endoscopic video camera
Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging Inc
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Filing: 1988-01-15
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Granted: 1989-02-28
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Expires: 2008-01-15
Abstract
Abstract An endoscopic adapter assembly for coupling a video camera head and an endoscope having a proximal end, the adapter includes an ocular adapter for engaging securely the proximal end of the endoscope. An endoscope-engageable portion engages the coupler adapter and a focusing portion is rotatably secured to the endoscope-engageable portion. A camera-engageable portion is rotatably secured to the focusing portion for connecting it to the camera head. The ocular adapter portion includes a window which is complementarily shaped and designed to face and to be aligned with a window of the ocular adapter for maintaining glass-on-glass contact therewith.
Inventors
- 👤 David Chatenever
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:08
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00195; A61B1/00112; A61B1/00121; A61B1/00126; A61B1/00128; A61B1/04; G; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/24; G02B23/2476; G02B23/2484; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly for coupling a video camera head and an endoscope having a proximal end, comprising in combination: a. ocular adapter means for engaging the proximal end of the endoscope; b. endoscope-engageable means for engaging said ocular adapter means; c. means for focusing being rotatably secured to said endoscope-engageable means; d. camera-engageable means being rotatably secured to said focusing means, for connecting said focusing means to the camera head; e. said ocular adapter means including a window; and f. said endoscope-engageable means including a window being aligned with, and facing said window of said ocular adapter means for maintaining glass-on-glass contact therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly for coupling a video camera head and an endoscope having a proximal end, comprising in combination: a. ocular adapter means for engaging the proximal end of the endoscope; b. endoscope-engageable means for engaging said ocular adapter means; c. means for focusing being rotatably secured to said endoscope-engageable means; d. camera-engageable means being rotatably secured to said focusing means, for connecting said focusing means to the camera head; e. said ocular adapter means including a window; and f. said endoscope-engageable means including a window being aligned with, and facing said window of said ocular adapter means for maintaining glass-on-glass contact therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said endoscope-engageable means includes coupling means for drawing said ocular adapter means axially linearly into a mating relationship therewith.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said ocular adapter means includes an elongated tubular chassis which is hollow throughout its axial length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein said chassis is made of suitable noncorrosive material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein said chassis includes an internally threaded portion, for engaging threadably the proximal end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 5, wherein a pair of similar spaced-apart pins extend radially outwardly from said chassis for mating with said endoscope-engageable portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 2, further comprising an elongated tubular chassis which is hollow throughout its axial length.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein said chassis is made of suitable non-corrosive material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein said chassis includes a flared annular section which is generally complementary sized and dimensioned to receive a forward section of said ocular adapter chassis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein said window of said ocular adapter is transversely disposed at a substantially right angle to the axis of said ocular adapter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein said window of said endoscope-engageable means is disposed transversely at a substantially right angle to the axis of said chassis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 11, wherein said ocular adapter window is made of hard polished crystalline material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 12, wherein said ocular adapter window is made of sapphire.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 11, wherein said window of said endoscope-engageable means is made of hard polished crystalline material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 14, wherein said window of said endoscope-engageable means is made of sapphire.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein said endoscope-engageable means includes a coupling mechanism for mating with said ocular adapter pins.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 16, wherein said coupling mechanism generally includes a tubular outer retaining ring which is hollow throughout its entire axial length, and which engages rotatably about the periphery of said flared annular section of said chassis.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 17, wherein said outer retaining ring includes a corrugated section for facilitating its manual rotation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 18, wherein said outer retaining ring includes an internal helical slot which contours the outer periphery of said flared annular section for receiving said ocular adapter studs.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 19, wherein said flared section includes a pair of spaced-apart generally diametrically disposed elongated axial openings, for receiving said ocular adapter studs.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 20, wherein said focusing means includes a hollow rear bayonet capture ring which contours a portion of said endoscope-engageable means chassis.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 21, wherein said focusing means includes an annular focusing ring disposed adjacent to said rear bayonet capture ring and which rotatably contours a part of said endoscope-engageable means chassis.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 22, wherein said focusing means includes a lens sleeve which is disposed within said chassis of said endoscope-engageable means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 23, wherein said focusing ring includes an internal helical opening for providing an axial focusing path of travel for said lens sleeve.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 24, wherein said focusing means includes a pair of spaced-apart, generally parallel seals.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 25, wherein said focusing means includes a front bayonet capture ring disposed adjacent the said focusing ring and which contours a part of said chassis of said endoscope-engageable means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 26, wherein said rear bayonet capture ring, said front bayonet capture ring and said focusing ring are made of suitable non-corrosive material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 21, wherein said camera-engageable means includes an endoscope adapter bayonet shell which mates rotatably with said chassis of said endoscope-engageable means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 28, wherein said endoscope adapter bayonet shell includes a corrugated surface for facilitating its rotation.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 29, wherein said camera-engageable means further includes an endoscopic adapter bayonet which is fitted frictionally within the inner periphery of said shell.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 30, wherein said camera-engageable means includes an annular seal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
39 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 30, wherein said bayonet includes a plurality of spaced-apart bayonet slots, and wherein the camera head includes a corresponding number of outwardly extending spaced-apart studs, for mating with said bayonet slots.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 32, wherein said bayonet slots are substantially identical in design and dimension.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
39 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 33, wherein each one of said bayonet slots includes a detente portion for providing a human audible signal indicative of the proper engagement between said camera-engageable means and the camera head.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
46 words
An endoscopic adapter assembly as defined in claim 34, wherein said bayonet slots are not equidistantly spaced apart from one another, for the purpose of providing a human visual feedback signal indicative of the proper engagement and alignment of the camera head and said camera-engageable means.
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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) | 1992-02-28 | 1992-08-29 | 1993-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-02-28 | 1996-08-29 | 1997-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-02-28 | 2000-08-29 | 2001-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |