Patent US6007484A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6007484A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endoscope having elevation and azimuth control of camera
Assignee: Pinotage LLC
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Filing: 1998-04-23
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Granted: 1999-12-28
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Expires: 2018-04-23
Abstract
Abstract A surgical/diagnostic imaging device for use in interabdominal, interthoracic, and other surgical and diagnostic procedures includes an image sensor pivotally mounted at the distal end of a support. In use, the image sensor and support are contained within a disposable sterile sheath, and the distal portion of the sheath is inserted into the patient through an incision. The imaging device includes actuators to move the image sensor in elevation and azimuth.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Lee Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:19
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00188; A61B1/00064; A61B1/00071; A61B1/0008; A61B1/00096; A61B1/00142; A61B1/00174; A61B1/00183; A61B1/04; A61B1/045; A61B1/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for imaging an inner portion of a body of a living being, comprising steps of: (a) inserting into the body at least a portion of a viewing apparatus including a sheath, a rigid elongated support member extending along a longitudinal axis of and movable relative to or removable from the sheath, and an image sensor movably mounted to a portion of the support member and disposed within the sheath; and (b) moving the image sensor with respect to the portion of the support member and with respect to the sheath so that an imaging axis of the images sensor changes its angular orientation with respect to a longitudinal axis of the support member and passes through different portions of the sheath.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for imaging an inner portion of a body of a living being, comprising steps of: (a) inserting into the body at least a portion of a viewing apparatus including a sheath, a rigid elongated support member extending along a longitudinal axis of and movable relative to or removable from the sheath, and an image sensor movably mounted to a portion of the support member and disposed within the sheath; and (b) moving the image sensor with respect to the portion of the support member and with respect to the sheath so that an imaging axis of the images sensor changes its angular orientation with respect to a longitudinal axis of the support member and passes through different portions of the sheath.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step (b) includes a step of moving the image sensor with respect to the portion of the support member while keeping the sheath stationary with respect to the support member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 2, further including a step of: (c) rotating the portion of the support member relative to the sheath, thereby rotating the image sensor relative to the sheath.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the image sensor is pivotally connected to the portion of the support member along a pivot axis, and wherein the step (b) includes a step of: (b1) pivoting the image sensor about the pivot axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the step (b1) includes a step of pivoting the image sensor at least ninety degrees about the pivot axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the step (b1) includes a step of pivoting the image sensor at least one hundred degrees about the pivot axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the step (b1) includes a step of pivoting the image sensor at least one hundred and thirty five degrees about the pivot axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, further including a step of: (c) rotating the portion of the support member relative to the sheath, thereby rotating the image sensor relative to the sheath.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the image sensor is pivotally connected to the portion of the support member along a pivot axis, and wherein the step (b) includes a step of: (b1) pivoting the image sensor about the pivot axis to orient the imaging axis of the image sensor transverse to the longitudinal axis of the support member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the step (b1) includes a step of pivoting the image sensor at least ninety degrees about the pivot axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the step (b1) includes a step of pivoting the image sensor at least one hundred degrees about the pivot axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the step (b1) includes a step of pivoting the image sensor at least one hundred and thirty five degrees about the pivot axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the support member is movable relative to the sheath.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the support member is removable from the sheath.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for examining an area within a body of a living being, comprising steps of: (a) inserting into the body at least a portion of a viewing apparatus including a sheath, a support member extending along a longitudinal axis of and movable relative to or removable from the sheath, and a solid-state image sensor that is disposed within the sheath, the image sensor being movably mounted to the support member; and (b) pivoting the image sensor about a pivot axis and relative to the sheath so that an imaging axis of the image sensor passes through different portions of the sheath and is incident on different portions of the area within the body to enable the area of the body to be reviewed.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for examining an area within a body of a living being, comprising steps of: (a) inserting into the body at least a portion of a viewing apparatus including a sheath, a support member extending along a longitudinal axis of and movable relative to or removable from the sheath, and a solid-state image sensor that is disposed within the sheath, the image sensor being movably mounted to the support member; and (b) pivoting the image sensor about a pivot axis and relative to the sheath so that an imaging axis of the image sensor passes through different portions of the sheath and is incident on different portions of the area within the body to enable the area of the body to be reviewed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 15 further including a step of: (c) rotating the support member relative to the sheath, thereby rotating the image sensor relative to the sheath.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the step (b) includes a step of pivoting the image sensor relative to the sheath while keeping the sheath stationary with respect to the support member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the step (b) includes a step of pivoting the image sensor relative to the sheath while keeping the sheath stationary with respect to the support member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the step (b) includes a step of pivoting the image sensor at least one hundred degrees about the pivot axis.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the step (b) includes a step of pivoting the image sensor at least one hundred and thirty five degrees about the pivot axis.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the step (b) includes a step of pivoting the image sensor at least ninety degrees about the pivot axis.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the support member is movable relative to the sheath.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the support member is removable from the sheath.
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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) | 2002-12-27 | 2003-06-28 | 2003-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-27 | 2007-06-28 | 2007-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-27 | 2011-06-28 | 2011-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |