US6692431B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endoscopic system with a solid-state light source
Assignee: Smith and Nephew Inc
•
Filing: 2001-09-07
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Granted: 2004-02-17
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Expires: 2021-09-07
Abstract
Abstract An endoscopic system for internal inspection of an object includes an endoscope extending along a longitudinal axis between a distal end to be inserted into the object and a proximal end and an illumination assembly attached to the proximal end of the endoscope. The illumination assembly includes a solid-state light source. The endoscopic system also includes an optical system positioned distally from the solid-state light source to receive and convey light to the distal end.
Inventors
- 👤 Yuri Kazakevich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:24
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/06; A61B1/0607; A61B1/0661; A61B1/0669; A61B1/07; G; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/24; G02B23/2407; G02B23/2461; G02B23/2469; A61B1/00002; A61B1/00011; A61B1/00016; A61B1/00025; A61B1/00027; A61B1/00032; A61B1/0653; A61B1/0684
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
An endoscopic system for internal inspection of an object comprising: an endoscope extending along a longitudinal axis between a distal end to be inserted into the object and a proximal end; an illumination assembly attached to the proximal end of the endoscope, the illumination assembly including a solid-state light source, the solid-state light source includes a plurality of semiconductor light sources; and an optical system positioned distally from the solid-state light source, the optical system receiving and conveying light to the distal end, the optical system includes a set of fiber optic elements, each semiconductor light source is configured to emit light to one corresponding fiber optic element; wherein the solid-state light source includes a hollow shaft having a longitudinal axis and a set of ribs positioned along a periphery of the shaft, each rib having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side of each rib has at least one LED.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
An endoscopic system for internal inspection of an object comprising: an endoscope extending along a longitudinal axis between a distal end to be inserted into the object and a proximal end; an illumination assembly attached to the proximal end of the endoscope, the illumination assembly including a solid-state light source, the solid-state light source includes a plurality of semiconductor light sources; and an optical system positioned distally from the solid-state light source, the optical system receiving and conveying light to the distal end, the optical system includes a set of fiber optic elements, each semiconductor light source is configured to emit light to one corresponding fiber optic element; wherein the solid-state light source includes a hollow shaft having a longitudinal axis and a set of ribs positioned along a periphery of the shaft, each rib having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side of each rib has at least one LED.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The endoscopic system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of semiconductor light sources include light emitting diodes (LEDs).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The endoscopic system of claim 1 wherein the solid-state light source includes a hollow shaft having a longitudinal axis and a set of ribs positioned along a periphery of the shaft, each rib having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side of each rib has at least one LED.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The endoscopic system of claim 1 wherein the ribs extend along the longitudinal axis of the shaft and are symmetrically spaced around the periphery of the shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The endoscopic system of claim 4 wherein the second side of each rib has at least one LED.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The endoscopic system of claim 1 wherein each rib is axially spaced along the longitudinal axis of the shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The endoscopic system of claim 6 wherein each rib has at least two LEDs spaced symmetrical on the first side of each rib.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The endoscopic system of claim 2 wherein the LEDs are grouped in a trio, each trio has a first LED configured to emit a blue light, a second LED configure to emit a red light, and a third LED configured to emit a green light.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The endoscopic system of claim 1 , further comprising: a camera system proximally positioned to the optical system; and a focusing system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The endoscopic system of claim 1 wherein the endoscope is removable and replaceable from the illumination assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The endoscopic system of claim 1 , further comprising an eyepiece positioned proximally to the optical system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The endoscopic system of claim 1 wherein the endoscope includes a light post, the set of fiber optic elements connect the solid-state light source to the light post.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The endoscopic system of claim 12 wherein the endoscope includes an eyepiece.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The endoscopic system of claim 13 wherein the light post is positioned to receive light at an angle to the longitudinal axis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The endoscopic system of claim 1 , further comprising a wireless transmitter positioned proximally from the distal end of the endoscope and a battery positioned proximally to the distal end of the endoscope.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The endoscopic system of claim 1 , wherein the endoscope includes an image sensor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The endoscopic system of claim 1 further comprising an imaging sensor positioned proximally to the endoscope.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The endoscopic system of claim 17 wherein the endoscope is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the elongated member relative to the stationary imaging sensor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The endoscopic system of claim 1 wherein each fiber optic element comprises a fiber optic line.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The endoscopic system of claim 1 wherein each fiber optic element comprises a bundle of fiber optic lines.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
141 words
An endoscopic system for internal inspection of an object comprising: an endoscope extending along a longitudinal axis between a distal end to be inserted into the object and a proximal end; an illumination assembly attached to the proximal end of the endoscope, the illumination assembly including a solid-state light source, the solid-state light source includes a plurality of semiconductor light sources; an optical system positioned distally from the solid-state light source, the optical system receiving and conveying light to the distal end, the optical system includes a set of fiber optic elements extending from the semiconductor light sources at the proximal end to the distal end, each semiconductor light source is configured to emit light to one corresponding fiber optic element; and a focusing assembly enclosed by the illumination assembly; wherein the solid-state light source rotates relative to the focusing assembly.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
141 words
An endoscopic system for internal inspection of an object comprising: an endoscope extending along a longitudinal axis between a distal end to be inserted into the object and a proximal end; an illumination assembly attached to the proximal end of the endoscope, the illumination assembly including a solid-state light source, the solid-state light source includes a plurality of semiconductor light sources; an optical system positioned distally from the solid-state light source, the optical system receiving and conveying light to the distal end, the optical system includes a set of fiber optic elements extending from the semiconductor light sources at the proximal end to the distal end, each semiconductor light source is configured to emit light to one corresponding fiber optic element; and a focusing assembly enclosed by the illumination assembly; wherein the solid-state light source rotates relative to the focusing assembly.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The endoscopic system of claim 21 , further comprising: an image pickup device; wherein the image pickup device maintains a right-side-up position independent of the rotation of the endoscope.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The endoscopic system of claim 21 wherein each fiber optic element comprises a fiber optic line.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The endoscopic system of claim 21 wherein each fiber optic element comprises a bundle of fiber optic lines.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-02-16 | 2007-08-18 | 2008-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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