Endoscopic peripheral

• US 10,029,079 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2012
• Issued: 07/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Treble Innovations, LLC
• Original Assignee: Treble Innovations, LLC
• Inventors: Alexander, Ian Joseph, Owens, Brian Dean, Park, Roland Clifford
• Primary Examiner(s): Neal, Timothy J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fairchild, Aaron B
• Application Number:
  US13/654,409
• Publication Number:
  US 20130096382A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,106 Days
• Field of Search: 600118, 600132, 600136, 600127, 600129, 600153
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00018 using electrical cables
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0002 provided with data storages
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00032 internally powered
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00052 positioned at proximal end of the endoscope body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00066 Proximal part of endoscope body, e.g. handles A61B1/0052 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00101 the distal tip features being detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00108 characterised by self-sufficient functionality for stand-alone use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00114 Electrical cables in or with an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00133 Drive units for endoscopic tools inserted through or with the endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0014 Fastening element for attaching accessories to the outside of an endoscope, e.g. clips, clamps or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00142 with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00154 using guiding arrangements for insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/005 Flexible endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/04 combined with photographic or television appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/044 for absorption imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/233 : for the nose, i.e. nasoscopes , e.g. testing of patency of Eustachian tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1043 : with special features or adapted for special applications
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0662 : Guide tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10 : Balloon catheters A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02; inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 ; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1018 : Balloon inflating or inflation-control devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1025 : Connections between catheter tubes and inflation tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/00 : Dilators with or without means for introducing media, e.g. remedies instruments for performing visual medical inspections of cavities or tubes of the body A61B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/02 : Dilators made of swellable material balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104

Abstract

An endoscopic peripheral includes a first end including at least a camera and one or more lights. The endoscopic peripheral may also include a second end may include a plug to physical connect the endoscopic peripheral to a computing device or a wireless device. The endoscopic peripheral may also include a flexible cable for communicating content captured by the camera to the computing device or wireless device.

Claims

1. An endoscopic system, comprising:

an electronic device comprising a wireless phone or tablet;

an endoscopic peripheral, comprising;

a first end terminating in a camera and one or more lights enclosed by a tip, wherein the tip is rigidly fixed in place relative to the camera and one or more lights and comprises tapered sidewalls forming an outer circumference having a diameter smaller than the first end for inserting into an orifice of a patient;

a second end terminating in a plug for physically connecting the endoscopic peripheral to the electronic device, the electronic device being configured to display content captured by the camera;

a flexible cable having a unidimensional diameter, the flexible cable connecting the first end and the second end and having a tip connector proximate the first end;

a bending portion in the flexible cable proximate to the first end, wherein the bending portion terminates in the tip connector configured to removably attach the bending portion to the remainder of the flexible cable, one or more bending portion movement controls operably configured to bend the bending portion into a preferred position and retain the preferred position, and further wherein the bending portion is configured to be interchangeable at the tip connector by removably attaching one of the following during ordinary use;

(a) a rigid straight portion; and

(b) a rigid curved portion.

2. The endoscopic peripheral of claim 1, wherein the endoscopic peripheral is a plug-and-play device configured to communicate with the electronic device utilizing default software of the electronic device.

3. The endoscopic peripheral of claim 1, further comprising:

a memory connected to the camera, the memory is configured to store the content captured by the camera for subsequent access, wherein the memory includes an application for interfacing the endoscopic peripheral with the electronic device.

4. The endoscopic peripheral of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the rigid straight portion is conically shaped.