US6561973B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Micro-endoscopic system
Assignee: MICRO-INVASIVE TECHNOLOGY Inc
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Filing: 2000-07-25
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Granted: 2003-05-13
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Expires: 2020-07-25
Abstract
Abstract A micro-endoscopic system employs a pulsed xenon light source and image collection optics with a fine diameter optical probe for an endoscope. Very bright pulses of light emitted by a xenon flash tube increase the intensity of light incident on the light transmitting optics, allowing a reduction in size of the optical components, resulting in a corresponding reduction in the size of the optical probe. A segmented glass image guide directs the reflected light to a sensor array. Segmentation of the image guide avoids the stress related problems associated with fine diameter glass optical structures.
Inventors
- 👤 John L. Bala
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:15
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/04; A61B1/055; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00165; A61B1/042; A61B1/06; A61B1/0607; A61B1/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
An endoscope system comprising: a light source having a xenon flash tube; a light source optical system in optical communication with said light source; an optical cable having an input end and an output end, said input end being in optical communication with said optical system; a sensor head including a sensor array and an image focus optical system; a removable optical probe, said probe having a light pipe for transmitting light received from the output end of said optical cable to an area to be viewed, an object lens for collecting light reflected from said area and an image guide for transmitting said reflected light to a location remote from said area, said probe further comprising a rigid housing, said housing exteriorly contoured for manual grasping, wherein said housing is removably installable over said sensor head; means for removably mounting said probe to said housing; wherein said xenon flash tube emits a series of light pulses, said light source optical system focuses each said light pulse on said input end and said optical cable conducts said light pulse to said light pipe, said object lens collects said reflected light and said image guide directs said reflected light to said image focus optical system which focuses said light on said sensor array.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
An endoscope system comprising: a light source having a xenon flash tube; a light source optical system in optical communication with said light source; an optical cable having an input end and an output end, said input end being in optical communication with said optical system; a sensor head including a sensor array and an image focus optical system; a removable optical probe, said probe having a light pipe for transmitting light received from the output end of said optical cable to an area to be viewed, an object lens for collecting light reflected from said area and an image guide for transmitting said reflected light to a location remote from said area, said probe further comprising a rigid housing, said housing exteriorly contoured for manual grasping, wherein said housing is removably installable over said sensor head; means for removably mounting said probe to said housing; wherein said xenon flash tube emits a series of light pulses, said light source optical system focuses each said light pulse on said input end and said optical cable conducts said light pulse to said light pipe, said object lens collects said reflected light and said image guide directs said reflected light to said image focus optical system which focuses said light on said sensor array.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The endoscope system of claim 1 , wherein said image path comprises a glass rod formed of a plurality of segments, each segment being coated with light absorbent material and including an aperture stop.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The endoscope system of claim 2 , wherein said glass rod has a diameter of approximately 1 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The endoscope system of claim 1 , wherein said light pipe comprises a tubular structure surrounding said light path, said tubular structure having a thickness of approximately 0.1 mm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The endoscope system of claim 4 , wherein said tubular structure is formed by an arrangement of optical fibers, each said optical fiber having a diameter of approximately 0.1 mm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The endoscope system of claim 1 , wherein said image path comprises optical grade plastic, said plastic coated with a light absorbent coating.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The endoscope system of claim 1 , wherein said probe is substantially composed of plastic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
113 words
An endoscope system comprising: a xenon light source which emits pulses of high-energy light; an optical probe including a light pipe for transmitting said pulses of high-energy light to an area to be viewed and an image guide for transmitting light reflected from said area to be viewed to a location remote from said area, said image guide comprising a distal end which is inserted into the area to be viewed and an opposed proximal end, said image guide comprising a zoom optical system adjacent to the proximal end of said image guide; and optical transmission means for transmitting said pulses of high-energy light from said xenon light source to said optical probe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
113 words
An endoscope system comprising: a xenon light source which emits pulses of high-energy light; an optical probe including a light pipe for transmitting said pulses of high-energy light to an area to be viewed and an image guide for transmitting light reflected from said area to be viewed to a location remote from said area, said image guide comprising a distal end which is inserted into the area to be viewed and an opposed proximal end, said image guide comprising a zoom optical system adjacent to the proximal end of said image guide; and optical transmission means for transmitting said pulses of high-energy light from said xenon light source to said optical probe.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The endoscope system of claim 8 , wherein said optical probe has an outside diameter of less than 2 mm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The endoscope system of claim 8 , wherein said pulses of high energy light have a duration of less than 15 μ-seconds.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
The endoscope system of claim 8 , wherein said xenon light source comprises: a xenon flash tube; an arcuate reflector; and an infra-red and ultra-violet light filter, said xenon flash tube being disposed between said arcuate reflector and said filter, whereby said pulses of high-energy light are reflected by said arcuate reflector through said filter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The endoscope system of claim 8 , wherein said system comprises: electronic imaging means for creating an electronic image from light reflected from said area to be viewed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The endoscope system of claim 8 , wherein said image guide has a diameter of less than 2 mm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The endoscope system of claim 8 , wherein said light pipe comprises a tube-like arrangement of optical fibers, each said optical fiber having a diameter of approximately 0.1 mm, said tube-like arrangement having a wall thickness of approximately 0.5 mm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
108 words
An endoscope system comprising: a xenon light source which emits pulses of high-energy light; an optical probe including a light pipe for transmitting said pulses of high-energy light to an optical area to be viewed and an image guide for transmitting light reflected from said area to be viewed to a location remote from said area, said light pipe comprising a tube-like molded structure including a core material having a high index of refraction and surrounding material having an index of refraction substantially lower than said core material; and optical transmission means for transmitting said pulses of high-energy light from said xenon light source to said optical probe.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
108 words
An endoscope system comprising: a xenon light source which emits pulses of high-energy light; an optical probe including a light pipe for transmitting said pulses of high-energy light to an optical area to be viewed and an image guide for transmitting light reflected from said area to be viewed to a location remote from said area, said light pipe comprising a tube-like molded structure including a core material having a high index of refraction and surrounding material having an index of refraction substantially lower than said core material; and optical transmission means for transmitting said pulses of high-energy light from said xenon light source to said optical probe.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
The endoscope system of claim 15 , wherein said image guide comprises a distal end which is inserted into the area to be viewed and an opposed proximal end, said image guide comprising a zoom optical system adjacent to the proximal end of said image guide.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The endoscope system of claim 16 , wherein said zoom optical system provides multiple selectable zoom positions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The endoscope system of claim 17 , wherein said zoom optical system includes axially spaced lenses and mechanical means for altering the axial spacing of said lenses to achieve said multiple selectable zoom positions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The endoscope system of claim 15 , wherein said tube-like molded structure has an inside diameter of less than 2 mm and a wall thickness of approximately 0.1 mm.
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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) | 2006-05-12 | 2006-11-11 | 2007-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-05-12 | 2010-11-11 | 2011-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-05-12 | 2014-11-11 | 2015-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |