US6478730B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Zoom laparoscope
Assignee: Visionquest Holdings LLC
•
Filing: 1998-09-09
•
Granted: 2002-11-12
•
Expires: 2018-09-09
Abstract
Abstract A zoom laparoscope having a laparoscope base unit with a proximal end and a distal end and having a sheath with a zoom assembly. In one embodiment, the laparoscope comprises a two dimensional solid state imaging sensor. The laparoscope can contain a sheath locking mechanism located at both its proximal and distal ends. The sheath can comprise a light transmitting material for illumination of a region of interest. In an alternate embodiment, the sheath comprises an attachment for changing the angle of view of the laparoscope. The laparoscope can also contain a handle at its proximal end.
Inventors
- 👤 John L. Bala
- 👤 Paul Remijan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:34
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00188; A61B1/00142; A61B1/313; A61B1/3132
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A probe laparoscope comprising: a tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the tube being attached to a handle to provide a laparoscope base including a lens system optically coupled to a two dimensional solid state electronic imaging device positioned in the laparoscope base; a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, a channel in which the tube can be inserted, an optical lens element mounted on the distal end of the sheath such that an image of an object is directed through the optical lens element and the lens system that define an optical path onto the imaging device, the image being viewed with the laparoscope, the sheath including an illumination channel that is concentric about the optical path and coupled to a light source; and an interlocking mechanism detachably connecting the handle to the proximal end of the sheath.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A probe laparoscope comprising: a tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the tube being attached to a handle to provide a laparoscope base including a lens system optically coupled to a two dimensional solid state electronic imaging device positioned in the laparoscope base; a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, a channel in which the tube can be inserted, an optical lens element mounted on the distal end of the sheath such that an image of an object is directed through the optical lens element and the lens system that define an optical path onto the imaging device, the image being viewed with the laparoscope, the sheath including an illumination channel that is concentric about the optical path and coupled to a light source; and an interlocking mechanism detachably connecting the handle to the proximal end of the sheath.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
The laparoscope of claim 1 further comprising a zoom control.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The laparoscope of claim 2 wherein the zoom control is located at a proximal end of the laparoscope.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The laparoscope of claim 2 further comprising a manually operated control that actuates a zoom assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The laparoscope of claim 4 wherein the zoom control further comprises a slide mechanism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The laparoscope of claim 4 further comprising a rotating mechanism.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The laparoscope of claim 2 further comprising a motor that actuates the zoom assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The laparoscope of claim 1 wherein the illumination channel comprises a fiber optic device that is concentric about the tube and the light source is optically coupled to a fiber optic coupler.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The laparoscope of claim 1 wherein the imaging device comprises a charge coupled device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The laparoscope of claim 1 wherein the sheath further comprises a center layer of a first index of refraction plastic and an inner layer and an outer layer, each comprising a plastic having a lower index of refraction than the center layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The laparoscope of claim 1 wherein the sheath comprises a light transmitting material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The laparoscope of claim 1 further comprising an objective lens attached to the distal end of the sheath.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The laparoscope of claim 1 further comprising a prism attached to the distal end of the sheath.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The laparoscope of claim 1 further comprising an optical system within the tube having a series of at least four lenses including a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element and a fourth lens element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The laparoscope of claim 14 wherein the first lens element comprises an objective lens.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The laparoscope of claim 14 wherein the first lens element comprises a diffractive element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The laparoscope of claim 14 wherein at least one of the lenses comprises a plastic material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The laparoscope of claim 14 further comprising a zoom assembly having a moveable internal sleeve and a stationary internal sleeve.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The laparoscope of claim 18 wherein the moveable internal sleeve is secured to the distal end of the tube.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The laparoscope of claim 18 further comprising at least one lens element mounted to the stationary internal sleeve.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The laparoscope of claim 18 wherein the first lens element and the third lens element are mounted to the stationary internal sleeve.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The laparoscope of claim 21 wherein the third lens element rotates relative to the tube during a zooming procedure.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The laparoscope of claim 21 wherein the first lens element and the third lens element travel between 5 mm and 10 mm during a zooming procedure.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The laparoscope of claim 18 further comprising at least one lens element mounted to the moveable internal sleeve.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The laparoscope of claim 18 wherein the second lens element and the fourth lens element mounted to the moveable internal sleeve.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
11 words
The laparoscope of claim 1 further comprising a handle release mechanism.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
The laparoscope of claim 1 wherein the handle comprises a plastic material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The laparoscope of claim 1 wherein the handle comprises a first handle portion and a second handle portion attached by a connector.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The laparoscope of claim 28 wherein the connector is released by a switch.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The laparoscope of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of surface ridges and depressions on the handle.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for viewing through a an endoscope comprising: placing an endoscope sheath on an endoscope, body to form an endoscope, the body having a tube and a handle with an optical lens system optically coupled to a two dimensional solid state electronic imaging device, the sheath being detachably connected to the handle with an interlocking device on a proximal end of the sheath and a lens on a distal end of the sheath; positioning the endoscope sheath and body within a body cavity, the sheath having an illumination channel that is concentric about the distal optical lens and is coupled to a light source, and viewing an object with the endoscope.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for viewing through a an endoscope comprising: placing an endoscope sheath on an endoscope, body to form an endoscope, the body having a tube and a handle with an optical lens system optically coupled to a two dimensional solid state electronic imaging device, the sheath being detachably connected to the handle with an interlocking device on a proximal end of the sheath and a lens on a distal end of the sheath; positioning the endoscope sheath and body within a body cavity, the sheath having an illumination channel that is concentric about the distal optical lens and is coupled to a light source, and viewing an object with the endoscope.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 31 further comprising attaching the endoscope to an external viewing device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 31 further comprising attaching the endoscope to an external light source with a fiber optic device in the handle.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 31 further comprising attaching a prism to the distal end of the endoscope sheath.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 34 further comprising rotating the endoscope sheath from a first viewing angle to a second viewing angle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3261349A
Cited
US3736376A
Cited
US3794091A
Cited
US3809072A
Cited
US4074306A
Cited
US4253447A
Cited
US4364629A
Cited
US4261344A
Cited
US4704007A
Cited
US4488039A
Cited
US4558691A
Cited
US4604992A
Cited
US4746203A
Cited
US4646722A
Cited
US4624243A
Cited
US4768858A
Cited
US4819620A
Cited
US4741326A
Cited
US4760840A
Cited
US4781448A
Cited
US5290168A
Cited
US4860095A
Cited
US4879992A
Cited
US4784118A
Cited
US4862873A
Cited
US4846155A
Cited
US4858001A
Cited
US4858001B1
Cited
US4988172A
Cited
US5058568A
Cited
EP0352952A2
Cited
US5214538A
Cited
US4947827A
Cited
US4878485A
Cited
US4971035A
Cited
US5166787A
Cited
US5228430A
Cited
US5119189A
Cited
US4979498A
Cited
US5051824A
Cited
US5329935A
Cited
US5506912A
Cited
US5305098A
Cited
US5237984A
Cited
US5413092A
Cited
US5191879A
Cited
WO1993025137A1
Cited
US5305121A
Cited
US5418645A
Cited
US5402768A
Cited
US5489256A
Cited
US5379756A
Cited
US5494483A
Cited
US5381784A
Cited
US5575757A
Cited
WO1994009694A1
Cited
US5582576A
Cited
US5538497A
Cited
US5337734A
Cited
US5551947A
Cited
US5369525A
Cited
WO1994014367A1
Cited
US5630784A
Cited
US5423312A
Cited
US5776049A
Cited
US5751341A
Cited
US5547457A
Cited
US5349941A
Cited
US5386818A
Cited
US5817015A
Cited
WO1995002988A2
Cited
US5584793A
Cited
US5573493A
Cited
US5700236A
Cited
WO1995011624A2
Cited
EP0651272A2
Cited
US5406939A
Cited
US5483951A
Cited
WO1995026674A1
Cited
US5429118A
Cited
US5486155A
Cited
US5662584A
Cited
WO1996010947A1
Cited
US5817014A
Cited
US5621830A
Cited
WO1996039916A1
Cited
US5745165A
Cited
WO1997011634A1
Cited
US5762603A
Cited
WO1997014348A1
Cited
US5634881A
Cited
DE29613103U1
Cited
US6117071A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-11-11 | 2006-05-13 | 2006-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-11-11 | 2010-05-13 | 2010-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-11-11 | 2014-05-13 | 2014-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |