Patent US6663559B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6663559B2
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Interface for a variable direction of view endoscope
Assignee: EndActive Inc
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Filing: 2001-12-14
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Granted: 2003-12-16
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Expires: 2021-12-14
Abstract
Abstract An interface for a variable direction of view endoscope having an input device for receiving commands from the user, an output device for adjusting the endoscope, and an electronic processing device to determine the appropriate output based on the given input. The processing device may be configured to allow operation assisting features including a coordinate system aligned with the current view, a coordinate system aligned with the user's surroundings, a coordinate system aligned with the operating cavity, a memory to facilitate the immediate return to a user selected direction of view, and a clear indication of the current direction of view.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric L. Hale
- 👤 Nathan J. Schara
- 👤 Hans D. Høeg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:19
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00002; A61B1/00039; A61B1/00042; A61B1/00043; A61B1/00045; A61B1/0005; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00174; A61B1/00183
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A system for viewing the inside of a cavity using a variable direction of view endoscope, wherein a view vector is located at a distal end of said endoscope, and wherein said endoscope has a current endoscope configuration, comprising: an input device that receives commands from a user; a tracking device that provides view vector orientation information; a processing device that receives said commands and said orientation information and performs operations comprising the calculation of a desired endoscope configuration based on said commands and said orientation information, wherein said commands are interpreted by said processing device with respect to a control coordinate system that can change in alignment with said endoscope; a control device that adjusts said endoscope to make said current endoscope configuration equivalent to said desired endoscope configuration; and a display device that displays a current endoscopic view.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
140 words
A system for viewing the inside of a cavity using a variable direction of view endoscope, wherein a view vector is located at a distal end of said endoscope, and wherein said endoscope has a current endoscope configuration, comprising: an input device that receives commands from a user; a tracking device that provides view vector orientation information; a processing device that receives said commands and said orientation information and performs operations comprising the calculation of a desired endoscope configuration based on said commands and said orientation information, wherein said commands are interpreted by said processing device with respect to a control coordinate system that can change in alignment with said endoscope; a control device that adjusts said endoscope to make said current endoscope configuration equivalent to said desired endoscope configuration; and a display device that displays a current endoscopic view.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein said control coordinate system adjusts in correspondence with said current endoscopic view, remaining stationary relative thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein said control coordinate system is aligned with a natural coordinate system of said endoscope.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein said control coordinate system is aligned to a user specified orientation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein said control coordinate system is aligned with gravity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein one or more coordinate systems are displayed on said display device, superimposed on said current endoscopic view.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a depiction of said endoscope.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a depiction of said view vector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a depiction of one or more coordinate systems.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a depiction of one or more features corresponding to the surroundings of the endoscope.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein said processing device stores one or more endoscope configurations in a memory thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 11 , further comprising a display of one or more endoscopic images, each relating to a stored endoscope configuration.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
140 words
A system for viewing the inside of a cavity using a variable direction of view endoscope, wherein a view vector is located at a distal end of said endoscope, and wherein said endoscope has a current endoscope configuration, comprising: an input device that receives commands from a user; a tracking device that provides view vector orientation information; a processing device that receives said commands and said orientation information and performs operations comprising the calculation of a desired endoscope configuration based on said commands and said orientation information, wherein said commands are interpreted by said processing device with respect to a control coordinate system that can change in alignment with said endoscope, and wherein said endoscope becomes adjusted such that said current endoscope configuration is equivalent to said desired endoscope configuration; and a viewing device that provides a current endoscopic view.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
140 words
A system for viewing the inside of a cavity using a variable direction of view endoscope, wherein a view vector is located at a distal end of said endoscope, and wherein said endoscope has a current endoscope configuration, comprising: an input device that receives commands from a user; a tracking device that provides view vector orientation information; a processing device that receives said commands and said orientation information and performs operations comprising the calculation of a desired endoscope configuration based on said commands and said orientation information, wherein said commands are interpreted by said processing device with respect to a control coordinate system that can change in alignment with said endoscope, and wherein said endoscope becomes adjusted such that said current endoscope configuration is equivalent to said desired endoscope configuration; and a viewing device that provides a current endoscopic view.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
141 words
A system for viewing the inside of a cavity using a variable direction of view endoscope, wherein a view vector is located at a distal end of said endoscope, and wherein said endoscope has a current endoscope configuration, comprising: an input means for receiving commands from a user; a tracking means for providing view vector orientation information; a processing means for receiving said commands and said orientation information and for performing operations, comprising the calculation of a desired endoscope configuration based on said commands and said orientation information, wherein said commands are interpreted by said processing device with respect to a control coordinate system that can change in alignment with said endoscope; an adjusting means for adjusting said endoscope to make said current endoscope configuration equivalent to said desired endoscope configuration; and a viewing means for providing a current endoscopic view.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
141 words
A system for viewing the inside of a cavity using a variable direction of view endoscope, wherein a view vector is located at a distal end of said endoscope, and wherein said endoscope has a current endoscope configuration, comprising: an input means for receiving commands from a user; a tracking means for providing view vector orientation information; a processing means for receiving said commands and said orientation information and for performing operations, comprising the calculation of a desired endoscope configuration based on said commands and said orientation information, wherein said commands are interpreted by said processing device with respect to a control coordinate system that can change in alignment with said endoscope; an adjusting means for adjusting said endoscope to make said current endoscope configuration equivalent to said desired endoscope configuration; and a viewing means for providing a current endoscopic view.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
81 words
An interface for use with a variable direction of view endoscope, wherein a distal portion of said endoscope is disposed within a cavity, comprising: an input means for receiving commands from a user; a tracking means for providing view vector orientation information; a processing means for receiving said commands and said orientation information and performing operations, comprising the calculation of a coordinate system that can change in alignment with said endoscope; and a viewing means for providing a current endoscopic view.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
81 words
An interface for use with a variable direction of view endoscope, wherein a distal portion of said endoscope is disposed within a cavity, comprising: an input means for receiving commands from a user; a tracking means for providing view vector orientation information; a processing means for receiving said commands and said orientation information and performing operations, comprising the calculation of a coordinate system that can change in alignment with said endoscope; and a viewing means for providing a current endoscopic view.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The interface according to claim 15 , wherein said coordinate system is configured based on operation characteristics and orientation of said endoscope.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The interface according to claim 15 , wherein said coordinate system is configured based on the configuration of said endoscope, wherein said coordinate system adjusts in correspondence with said endoscopic view, remaining stationary relative thereto.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The interface according to claim 15 , wherein said coordinate system is aligned to a user specified orientation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The interface according to claim 15 , wherein said coordinate system is aligned with gravity.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The interface according to claim 15 , wherein lines representing said coordinate system are superimposed on said current view.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The interface according to claim 15 , further comprising a depiction of said endoscope.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The interface according to claim 15 , further comprising a depiction of said view vector.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The interface according to claim 15 , further comprising a depiction of one or more coordinate systems.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The interface according to claim 15 , further comprising a depiction of one or more features corresponding to the surroundings of the endoscope.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The interface according to claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of prior view images.
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-12-15 | 2007-06-16 | 2007-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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