US5584793A — Endoscope attachment for changing angle of view

Claim 1

Independent Claim 156 words

An endoscopic instrumentation kit comprising: an endoscope having imaging optics with a defined angle of view; at least one endoscopic sheath, said one sheath comprising a distal portion configured to be positioned adjacent a distalmost portion of said endoscope imaging optics, said distal portion including means for changing the angle of view of said imaging optics to define an inclined angle of view inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of said one sheath, and a proximal portion attached to said distal portion, said proximal portion configured and dimensioned to substantially enclose the endoscopic portion of said endoscope, said one sheath further including an integral illumination system for transferring illuminating light, the illumination system having structure to direct light in general alignment with the inclined angle of view; and a package including a top cover and a bottom cover, said top and bottom covers forming a package containing said endoscope and said at least one endoscopic sheath.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 156 words

An endoscopic instrumentation kit comprising: an endoscope having imaging optics with a defined angle of view; at least one endoscopic sheath, said one sheath comprising a distal portion configured to be positioned adjacent a distalmost portion of said endoscope imaging optics, said distal portion including means for changing the angle of view of said imaging optics to define an inclined angle of view inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of said one sheath, and a proximal portion attached to said distal portion, said proximal portion configured and dimensioned to substantially enclose the endoscopic portion of said endoscope, said one sheath further including an integral illumination system for transferring illuminating light, the illumination system having structure to direct light in general alignment with the inclined angle of view; and a package including a top cover and a bottom cover, said top and bottom covers forming a package containing said endoscope and said at least one endoscopic sheath.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 43 words

The endoscopic instrumentation kit of claim 1 comprising a plurality of endoscopic sheaths including at least an endoscopic sheath for changing the endoscope field of view by about 30° and an endoscopic sheath for changing the endoscope field of view by about 60°.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 22 words

The endoscopic instrumentation kit of claim 1 wherein the proximal portions of said one endoscopic sheath is made of a rigid material.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 40 words

The endoscopic instrumentation kit of claim 1 wherein at least one of said top and bottom covers is provided with form fitting cavities configured substantially to the shape of at least one of said endoscope and said one endoscopic sheath.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 31 words

The endoscopic instrumentation kit of claim 1 wherein said illumination system of said one endoscopic sheath includes at least one optical fiber extending at least the length of said endoscopic sheath.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 39 words

The endoscopic instrumentation kit of claim 5 wherein said endoscopic sheath includes a longitudinal channel in a side wall thereof, said longitudinal channel accommodating at least a portion of said at least one optical fiber of said illumination system.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 38 words

The endoscopic instrumentation kit of claim 5 wherein said illumination system includes a prism in optical alignment with said one optical fiber, said prism directing light emitted by said one optical fiber into the inclined angle of view.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 23 words

The endoscopic instrumentation kit of claim 1 wherein said means for changing the angle of view of said imaging optics includes a prism.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 30 words

The endoscopic instrumentation kit of claim 8 wherein said distal portion of said at least one endoscopic sheath includes a prism mount, said prism mount having said prism supported therein.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 36 words

The endoscopic instrumentation kit of claim 9 wherein said prism mount includes two opposed openings formed in a peripheral wall thereof, said prism being supported by portions of said prism mount defining said two opposed openings.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 90 words

The endoscopic instrumentation kit of claim 10 wherein said prism mount has a channel dimensioned to accommodate a distal end portion of said at least one optical fiber of said illumination system, said channel being angularly oriented relative to a longitudinal axis defined by said endoscopic sheath such that said distal end portion of said at least one optical fiber is angularly oriented relative to said longitudinal axis to emit light into an angle of view defined by said means for changing the angle of view of said imaging means.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 116 words

An endoscopic instrumentation kit comprising: an endoscope having imaging optics with a defined angle of view; at least one endoscopic sheath, said sheath comprising a distal portion configured to be positioned adjacent a distalmost portion of an endoscope imaging optics, said distal portion including means for changing the angle of view of said imaging optics and a proximal portion attached to said distal portion, said proximal portion configured and dimensioned to substantially enclose the endoscopic portion of said endoscope, said one endoscopic sheath being flexible along the length thereof; and a package including a top cover and a bottom cover, said top and bottom covers forming a package containing said endoscope and said one endoscopic sheath.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 116 words

An endoscopic instrumentation kit comprising: an endoscope having imaging optics with a defined angle of view; at least one endoscopic sheath, said sheath comprising a distal portion configured to be positioned adjacent a distalmost portion of an endoscope imaging optics, said distal portion including means for changing the angle of view of said imaging optics and a proximal portion attached to said distal portion, said proximal portion configured and dimensioned to substantially enclose the endoscopic portion of said endoscope, said one endoscopic sheath being flexible along the length thereof; and a package including a top cover and a bottom cover, said top and bottom covers forming a package containing said endoscope and said one endoscopic sheath.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 166 words

An endoscopic instrumentation kit comprising: a plurality of endoscopic sheaths, each said sheath configured to be positionable on an endoscope having imaging optics with a defined angle of view, each said sheath having a distal portion configured to be positioned adjacent a distalmost portion of an endoscope imaging optics, said distal portion including means for changing the angle of view of the endoscope imaging optics to define an inclined angle of view inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of said sheath, and a proximal portion attached to said distal portion, said proximal portion configured and dimensioned to substantially enclose an endoscopic portion of said endoscope, each said sheath further including an illumination system for transferring illuminating light from an external light source to at least said distal portion, said illumination system having means to direct light in general alignment with the inclined angle of view; and a package including first and second portions, said first and second portions together forming a package containing said endoscopic sheaths.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 166 words

An endoscopic instrumentation kit comprising: a plurality of endoscopic sheaths, each said sheath configured to be positionable on an endoscope having imaging optics with a defined angle of view, each said sheath having a distal portion configured to be positioned adjacent a distalmost portion of an endoscope imaging optics, said distal portion including means for changing the angle of view of the endoscope imaging optics to define an inclined angle of view inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of said sheath, and a proximal portion attached to said distal portion, said proximal portion configured and dimensioned to substantially enclose an endoscopic portion of said endoscope, each said sheath further including an illumination system for transferring illuminating light from an external light source to at least said distal portion, said illumination system having means to direct light in general alignment with the inclined angle of view; and a package including first and second portions, said first and second portions together forming a package containing said endoscopic sheaths.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 43 words

The endoscopic instrumentation kit of claim 13 wherein said plurality of endoscopic sheaths include at least an endoscopic sheath for changing the endoscope field of view by about 30° and an endoscopic sheath for changing the endoscope field of view by about 60°.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 21 words

The endoscopic instrumentation kit of claim 13 wherein the proximal portions of said endoscopic sheaths are made of a rigid material.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 21 words

The endoscopic instrumentation kit of claim 13 wherein the proximal portions of said endoscopic sheaths are made of a flexible material.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 40 words

The endoscopic instrumentation kit of claim 13 wherein said plurality of endoscopic sheaths include at least an endoscopic sheath for changing the angle of view by about 30° and an endoscopic sheath for changing angle of view by about 0°.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 29 words

The endoscopic instrumentation kit of claim 13 wherein said illumination system includes at least one optical fiber extending at least partially along the length of each said endoscopic sheath.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 38 words

The endoscopic instrumentation kit of claim 18 wherein a distal end portion of said one optical fiber of said illumination system is angularly oriented relative to the longitudinal axis to direct light into the inclined angle of view.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 44 words

The endoscopic instrumentation kit of claim 18 wherein said means to direct light includes a prism disposed in general alignment with said one optical fiber, said prism directing light emitted by said one optical fiber in general alignment with the inclined angle of view.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 135 words

An endoscopic instrumentation kit which comprises: an endoscope having imaging optics with a defined angle of view; at least one endoscopic sheath including an elongated tubular member having proximal and distal end portions and defining a longitudinal bore configured and dimensioned for enclosing an endoscopic portion of the endoscope, the endoscopic sheath further including an illumination system for transferring illuminating light from an external light source to at least the distal end portion of the elongated member, the illumination system configured and dimensioned to direct light in general alignment with an inclined angle of view angularly offset relative to a longitudinal axis of said tubular member; and a package including a top cover and a bottom cover, the top and bottom covers forming a package containing said endoscope and said at least one endoscopic sheath.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 135 words

An endoscopic instrumentation kit which comprises: an endoscope having imaging optics with a defined angle of view; at least one endoscopic sheath including an elongated tubular member having proximal and distal end portions and defining a longitudinal bore configured and dimensioned for enclosing an endoscopic portion of the endoscope, the endoscopic sheath further including an illumination system for transferring illuminating light from an external light source to at least the distal end portion of the elongated member, the illumination system configured and dimensioned to direct light in general alignment with an inclined angle of view angularly offset relative to a longitudinal axis of said tubular member; and a package including a top cover and a bottom cover, the top and bottom covers forming a package containing said endoscope and said at least one endoscopic sheath.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-12-17	2000-06-17	2000-12-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-12-17	2004-06-17	2004-12-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-12-17	2008-06-17	2008-12-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Endoscope attachment for changing angle of view

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag