US6530880B2 — Apparatus for supporting an endoscope

Claim 1

Independent Claim 92 words

An apparatus for supporting an endoscope for viewing a surgical site in a patient during surgery on the patient, said apparatus comprising: a base having a guide portion; a part adapted to be fixed to the endoscope, said part engaging said guide portion and being movable relative to said guide portion; and a screw mechanism connected between said base and said part, at least a portion of said screw mechanism being rotatable to slide said part relative to said guide portion to change a position of the endoscope relative to the patient.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 92 words

An apparatus for supporting an endoscope for viewing a surgical site in a patient during surgery on the patient, said apparatus comprising: a base having a guide portion; a part adapted to be fixed to the endoscope, said part engaging said guide portion and being movable relative to said guide portion; and a screw mechanism connected between said base and said part, at least a portion of said screw mechanism being rotatable to slide said part relative to said guide portion to change a position of the endoscope relative to the patient.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 32 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a thumb wheel for rotating said portion of said screw mechanism to change the position of said part relative to said guide portion.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 59 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said screw mechanism comprises a first threaded spindle rotatably screwed into first threads on said base, and a second threaded spindle fixed against rotation relative to said guide portion, said second threaded spindle being rotatably screwed into second threads on said first spindle, said thumb wheel rotating said first threaded spindle.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 19 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said first threads and said second threads are of opposite hand.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 29 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said part engages a track on said guide portion, said track allowing linear movement of said part relative to said base.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 27 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said base further includes a base portion with a central aperture for receiving an end portion of a cannula.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 44 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a cannula clamp associated with said base and a connection between said base and said cannula clamp, said connection enabling said base to rotate relative to said cannula clamp about an axis of a cannula.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 28 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said connection includes an index mechanism for retaining said base at incremental angular positions about the axis of the cannula.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 27 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said index mechanism includes a sleeve part, said sleeve part being disposed symmetrically about the axis of the cannula.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 43 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said sleeve part includes a series of angularly spaced apart recesses and said base includes spaced apart members for receipt in said recesses for fixing the angular position of said base relative to the cannula.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 113 words

An apparatus for supporting an endoscope for viewing a surgical site in a patient during surgery on the patient, the endoscope extending through a cannula into the patient, said apparatus comprising: a base; a support mechanism for supporting the endoscope on said base; a cannula clamp for clamping against an outer surface of the cannula; and a connection between said base and said cannula clamp, said connection enabling said base to rotate relative to said cannula clamp about an axis of the cannula, said connection including an index mechanism with parts interposed between said base and said cannula clamp for retaining said base at incremental relatively rotated positions relative to said cannula clamp.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 113 words

An apparatus for supporting an endoscope for viewing a surgical site in a patient during surgery on the patient, the endoscope extending through a cannula into the patient, said apparatus comprising: a base; a support mechanism for supporting the endoscope on said base; a cannula clamp for clamping against an outer surface of the cannula; and a connection between said base and said cannula clamp, said connection enabling said base to rotate relative to said cannula clamp about an axis of the cannula, said connection including an index mechanism with parts interposed between said base and said cannula clamp for retaining said base at incremental relatively rotated positions relative to said cannula clamp.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 67 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said parts of said index mechanism include a first part connected with one of said base and cannula clamp, said first part having a series of angularly spaced apart recesses, said parts of said index mechanism further including a second part connected with the other of said base and cannula clamp, said second part being received by said recesses.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 53 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said base has a central aperture and said cannula clamp has a sleeve part secured thereto, said sleeve part being received in said central aperture, said sleeve part having said recesses, said base including spring biased detents on said base for receipt in said recesses.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 19 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said sleeve part has a passage therethrough for receiving the cannula.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 38 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 11 further including a part adapted to be fixed to the endoscope, said base including a guide portion, said part engaging said guide portion and being movable relative to said guide portion.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 33 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 15 further including a screw mechanism connected between said base and said part, said screw mechanism being rotatable to slide said part relative to said guide portion.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said guide portion includes two spaced apart upright members extending parallel to each other.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 27 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said screw mechanism includes a first spindle with right-hand male threads and a second spindle with left-hand male threads.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 27 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said cannula clamp includes an adjustment mechanism for allowing said cannula clamp to attach to cannulas of different sizes.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 11 further including an actuating lever for actuating said cannula clamp to clamp against a cannula.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 114 words

An apparatus for supporting an endoscope for viewing a surgical site in a patient during surgery on the patient, the endoscope extending through a cannula into the patient, said apparatus comprising: a base for supporting the endoscope; a cannula clamp including a pair of spaced apart arms for clamping against an outer surface of the cannula through which the endoscope extends; and an actuator for moving said arms a predetermined distance toward each other to effect clamping against a cannula; said cannula clamp further including an adjustment mechanism for changing the relative position of said arms from which said arms are moved by said actuator to enable said arms to clamp different diameter cannulas.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 114 words

An apparatus for supporting an endoscope for viewing a surgical site in a patient during surgery on the patient, the endoscope extending through a cannula into the patient, said apparatus comprising: a base for supporting the endoscope; a cannula clamp including a pair of spaced apart arms for clamping against an outer surface of the cannula through which the endoscope extends; and an actuator for moving said arms a predetermined distance toward each other to effect clamping against a cannula; said cannula clamp further including an adjustment mechanism for changing the relative position of said arms from which said arms are moved by said actuator to enable said arms to clamp different diameter cannulas.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 56 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein said adjustment mechanism comprises a threaded member extending through openings in said arms, said arms being movable relative to said threaded member and a knob threaded on said threaded member and which on rotation moves axially on said threaded member to change the relative positions of said arms.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 42 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 21 further including a part adapted to be fixed to the endoscope, said base including a guide portion, said guide portion engaging said part and allowing vertical movement of said part relative to said guide portion.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 19 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 23 further including a screw mechanism connected between said base and said part.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein said screw mechanism is rotatable to slide said part relative to said guide portion.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 24 further including a thumb wheel for rotating a portion of said screw mechanism.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 23 wherein said guide portion includes a linear track for preventing rotation of said part relative to said base.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 23 further including a screw mechanism for imparting vertical linear movement to the endoscope relative to a cannula.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 26 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 21 further including an index mechanism for retaining said base at incremental relatively rotated positions relative to said cannula clamp.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein said cannula clamp is adapted to rotate and move linearly relative to the endoscope.

Claim 34

Independent Claim 65 words

An apparatus for supporting an endoscope for viewing a surgical site in a patient during surgery on the patient, said apparatus comprising: a part for engaging the endoscope, said part having a first surface portion for engaging opposed sides of the endoscope and a second surface portion spaced apart from said first surface portion for engaging a part of the endoscope defining a light port.

Claim 35

Independent Claim 65 words

An apparatus for supporting an endoscope for viewing a surgical site in a patient during surgery on the patient, said apparatus comprising: a part for engaging the endoscope, said part having a first surface portion for engaging opposed sides of the endoscope and a second surface portion spaced apart from said first surface portion for engaging a part of the endoscope defining a light port.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 28 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 31 further including a base for supporting said part for axial movement of said part relative to an axis of a cannula.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 31 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein said base has a guide portion for guiding axial movement of said part and preventing rotation of said part relative to a cannula.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 31 further including a cannula clamp associated with said base for clamping against an outer surface of a cannula.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 29 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 34 wherein said cannula clamp includes two arms, and further including an adjustment mechanism for enabling said arms to clamp different diameter cannulas.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 32 further including a screw mechanism associated with said base for axially moving said part to adjust the position of an endoscope relative to an axis of a cannula.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 34 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 36 wherein said part includes a slot for receiving said screw mechanism and further including a threaded member connecting said part and said screw mechanism in said slot.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 34 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 31 further including an index mechanism associated with said base for enabling incremental rotational adjustment of the position of said base and the endoscope relative to a cannula.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 32 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 31 further including a base associated with said part and a mechanism for adjusting the position of the part and the endoscope relative to said base.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 39 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 39 wherein said mechanism includes a sleeve for engaging an end of a cannula, said sleeve having an axis, said base and said sleeve being relatively rotatable about said axis of said sleeve.

Claim 45

Independent Claim 102 words

An apparatus for supporting an endoscope for viewing a surgical site in a patient during surgery on the patient, said apparatus comprising: a base for supporting the endoscope; a first part adapted to be fixed to the endoscope; a second part adapted to be fixed to a cannula with a longitudinal axis; and a mechanism for axially and rotationally adjusting said first part relative to said second part, said mechanism including a member supported on said base for rotation on said base about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cannula and spaced from the longitudinal axis of the cannula.

Claim 46

Independent Claim 102 words

An apparatus for supporting an endoscope for viewing a surgical site in a patient during surgery on the patient, said apparatus comprising: a base for supporting the endoscope; a first part adapted to be fixed to the endoscope; a second part adapted to be fixed to a cannula with a longitudinal axis; and a mechanism for axially and rotationally adjusting said first part relative to said second part, said mechanism including a member supported on said base for rotation on said base about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cannula and spaced from the longitudinal axis of the cannula.

Claim 47

Independent Claim 98 words

An apparatus for supporting an endoscope for viewing a surgical site in a patient during surgery on the patient, said apparatus comprising: a cannula for insertion into a patient, said cannula having a longitudinal axis; a cannula clamp for adjustably engaging an outer surface of said cannula; a base supported for rotation relative to said cannula clamp about a longitudinal axis of said cannula; and a part adapted to be fixed to an endoscope, said part being supported for linear movement on said base, the movement of said part being parallel to said longitudinal axis of said cannula.

Claim 48

Independent Claim 98 words

An apparatus for supporting an endoscope for viewing a surgical site in a patient during surgery on the patient, said apparatus comprising: a cannula for insertion into a patient, said cannula having a longitudinal axis; a cannula clamp for adjustably engaging an outer surface of said cannula; a base supported for rotation relative to said cannula clamp about a longitudinal axis of said cannula; and a part adapted to be fixed to an endoscope, said part being supported for linear movement on said base, the movement of said part being parallel to said longitudinal axis of said cannula.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2006-03-10	2006-09-09	2007-03-11	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2010-03-10	2010-09-09	2011-03-11	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2014-03-10	2014-09-09	2015-03-11	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus for supporting an endoscope

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag