US5807237A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endoscopic device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1997-03-31
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Granted: 1998-09-15
•
Expires: 2017-03-31
Abstract
Abstract The invention is an endoscopic and cannula system for viewing internal parts of a human body, comprising an endoscope and a cannula. The endoscope comprises an elongated extension tube, which has, at its proximal end, a control body and, at its distal end, a flexible fiber optic tip. An ocular eyepiece is attached to the control body and is adapted to permit visualization through the endoscope to the area to be viewed. A manually controlled flexible fiber optic tip is attached to the distal end of the extension tube and has a lens attached to its distal end. The control body has knobs for adjusting the position and/or direction of the flexible fiber optic tip. The cannula comprises a hollow tube for receiving the endoscope and has means for moving the endoscope between a cannula-extended position and a cannula-retracted position. In the cannula-extended position, the flexible fiber optic tip is located entirely within the cannula, and in the cannula-retracted position, the manually controlled flexible fiber optic tip extends beyond the distal end of the cannula.
Inventors
- 👤 Nathaniel L. Tindel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 00:46
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/313
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
An endoscopic device for viewing internal parts of a body, comprising: an endoscope comprising: (a) a rigid elongated tube having a proximal and a distal end; (b) a control body attached to the proximal end of the elongated tube; (c) an ocular eyepiece attached to the control body, said eyepiece adapted to permit viewing through the device to the distal end; (d) a flexible fiber optic tip with a lens attached to the distal end of the rigid elongated tube; (e) means for adjusting the position of the flexible fiber optic tip; and a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer circumference and an inner circumference, and adapted to receive the endoscope, comprising: (a) a hollow tube; (b) means for moving the endoscope within said cannula between a cannula-extended position and a cannula-retracted position; and (c) means for locking and unlocking the endoscope in the cannula-extended position and the cannula-retracted position, wherein in the cannula-extended position, the flexible tip is disposed entirely within the cannula and in the cannula-retracted position, the flexible tip extends beyond the distal end of the cannula.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
An endoscopic device for viewing internal parts of a body, comprising: an endoscope comprising: (a) a rigid elongated tube having a proximal and a distal end; (b) a control body attached to the proximal end of the elongated tube; (c) an ocular eyepiece attached to the control body, said eyepiece adapted to permit viewing through the device to the distal end; (d) a flexible fiber optic tip with a lens attached to the distal end of the rigid elongated tube; (e) means for adjusting the position of the flexible fiber optic tip; and a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer circumference and an inner circumference, and adapted to receive the endoscope, comprising: (a) a hollow tube; (b) means for moving the endoscope within said cannula between a cannula-extended position and a cannula-retracted position; and (c) means for locking and unlocking the endoscope in the cannula-extended position and the cannula-retracted position, wherein in the cannula-extended position, the flexible tip is disposed entirely within the cannula and in the cannula-retracted position, the flexible tip extends beyond the distal end of the cannula.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the means for adjusting the position of the flexible tip comprises a plurality of knobs located on the control body, wherein turning one or more knobs moves the flexible tip into different positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 2, further comprising a locking device on the control body adapted to lock the flexible tip into a desired position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
192 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the means for locking the endoscope in a cannula-retracted and a cannula-extended position comprises: at least one ball bearing mounted in at least one aperture arranged on the cannula; a snap coupling arranged around the outer circumference of the cannula and adapted to exert inward pressure on the ball bearing; a metal spring surrounding the outer circumference of the cannula and adapted to keep the snap coupling in contact with the ball bearing; and a ring arranged around the outer circumference of the cannula for retaining the ball bearing in its aperture in the cannula, said endoscope further comprising at least two circumferential grooves arranged around the endoscope, one groove adapted to lock the endoscope in a first position and the other groove adapted to lock the endoscope in a second position by engaging the ball bearing, said endoscope being moved between said first and second positions by retracting the snap coupling, the retraction of said snap coupling releasing the pressure on the ball bearing and allowing the endoscope to slide within the cannula until the ball bearing engages one of said at least two grooves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device according to claim 4, further comprising a rubber o-ring arranged around the inner circumference of the cannula, between the distal end of the cannula and the locking mechanism, said o-ring sealing the cannula against moisture and water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
A cannula for positioning a flexible-tipped endoscope comprising: a hollow tube; means for locking and unlocking the endoscope in two positions within the cannula, said first position being defined when the flexible tip of the endoscope is located entirely within the cannula, and said second position being defined when the flexible tip of the endoscope extends beyond the cannula.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
A cannula for positioning a flexible-tipped endoscope comprising: a hollow tube; means for locking and unlocking the endoscope in two positions within the cannula, said first position being defined when the flexible tip of the endoscope is located entirely within the cannula, and said second position being defined when the flexible tip of the endoscope extends beyond the cannula.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The cannula of claim 6, wherein the means for locking the endoscope comprises an extension tube adapted to be inserted into the hollow tube and which is telescopically slidable within the hollow tube, and a locking device adapted for fixing the position of the hollow tube with respect to the extension tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
The cannula of claim 7, wherein the locking device comprises a threaded compression nut arranged around the circumference of the hollow tube, so that turning the compression nut in one direction fixes the position of the extension tube with respect to the hollow tube, and turning the compression nut in the opposite direction releases the extension tube and allows it to move relative to the hollow tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cannula of claim 7, further comprising means for limiting the telescopic movement of the hollow tubes with respect to each other.
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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) | 2001-09-14 | 2002-03-16 | 2002-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-09-14 | 2006-03-16 | 2006-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-09-14 | 2010-03-16 | 2010-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |