US5243399A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alignment tool for endoscopes
Assignee: ESC MEDICAL SYSTEMS Inc
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Filing: 1992-01-15
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Granted: 1993-09-07
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Expires: 2012-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A tool is disclosed for evaluating the alignment of the channel of an endoscope. The tool includes a housing with one end thereof being connectable to the endoscope. The other end of the housing includes an eyepiece. A lens system is provided within the housing for imaging the distal end of the endoscope onto a reticle. The position of the image on the reticle allows the axial alignment of the endoscope channel to be evaluated.
Inventors
- 👤 Dale Koop
- 👤 Michael Arnett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00112; A61B1/00121; A61B1/00126; A61B1/00131; G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/26; G01B11/27; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/24; G02B23/2407; G02B27/00; G02B27/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A tool for evaluating the optical alignment of an axially extending channel formed within an endoscope, said endoscope having proximal and distal ends, said endoscope comprising: a housing having opposed first and second ends, with said first end having a coupler means configured to mate with the proximal end of the endoscope; lens means located in said housing; and a reticle located in said housing between said lens means and said second end of the housing, said lens means for focusing an image of the distal end of the axially extending endoscope channel on the reticle such that in use, any misalignment of the endoscope channel will result in said image being radially misaligned from the center of the reticle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A tool for evaluating the optical alignment of an axially extending channel formed within an endoscope, said endoscope having proximal and distal ends, said endoscope comprising: a housing having opposed first and second ends, with said first end having a coupler means configured to mate with the proximal end of the endoscope; lens means located in said housing; and a reticle located in said housing between said lens means and said second end of the housing, said lens means for focusing an image of the distal end of the axially extending endoscope channel on the reticle such that in use, any misalignment of the endoscope channel will result in said image being radially misaligned from the center of the reticle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A tool as recited in claim 1 wherein said lens means is defined by a lens pair including a positive and a negative lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A tool as recited in claim 1 wherein said reticle includes a plurality of radially concentric lines.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tool as recited in claim 1 wherein the second end of the housing further includes an eyepiece.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A tool as recited in claim 4 wherein said eyepiece magnifies the image on the reticle by a factor of ten.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A tool as recited in claim 1 further including a tubular member for insertion into the channel at the distal end of the endoscope for limiting light into the channel so that said image on the reticle will be sharper.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4588294A
Cited
US4902129A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-09-06 | 1997-03-08 | 1997-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-09-06 | 2001-03-08 | 2001-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-09-06 | 2005-03-08 | 2005-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |