Methods of performing internal body imaging

• US 10,321,807 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2017
• Issued: 06/18/2019
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Fairchild, Aaron B
• Application Number:
  US15/634,851
• Publication Number:
  US 20170290500A1
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00009 of image signals during a use of endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00032 internally powered
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00034 rechargeable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00066 Proximal part of endoscope body, e.g. handles A61B1/0052 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00071 Insertion part of the endoscope body A61B1/0055 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00103 designed for single use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00105 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00108 characterised by self-sufficient functionality for stand-alone use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00154 using guiding arrangements for insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/044 for absorption imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0638 providing two or more wavelengths
• 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: A61B 17/12104 in an air passage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/24 for use in the oral cavity, larynx, bronchial passages or nose for medical inspection of cavities or tubes in the body A61B1/00; Tongue scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3423 Access ports, e.g. toroid shape introducers for instruments or hands access sites for liquids A61M39/0247
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/246 for cleaning of the nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3447 Linked multiple cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/345 for introduction into a natural body opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3937 : Visible markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/502 : Headgear, e.g. helmet, spectacles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 : with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/70 : Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/76 : Manipulators having means for providing feel, e.g. force or tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 : Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0488 : Mouthpieces; Means for guiding, securing or introducing the tubes guiding or introducing with laryngoscopes A61B1/267; holding devices on the body A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 : on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 : Nose

Abstract

One embodiment provides a system, method, and wireless endoscope for performing internal imaging. A first portion of a wireless endoscope including at least a lens and a light emitter for physical connection to a second portion of the wireless endoscope is received. The first portion is interchangeable. The first portion is inserted into a body while the second portion remains outside the body. The wireless endoscope is powered on in response to receiving user input from a user. A distal end proximate the lens is illuminated utilizing a light in communication with the light emitter. Video inside the body is captured utilizing a camera in communication with the lens. The video is wireless communicated to a receiver associated with a display.

Claims

1. A method for performing internal imaging, comprising:

providing a wireless endoscope, the wireless endoscope being portable, the wireless endoscope including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion are cylindrical bodies without protrusions or ports on their outer circumferential surfaces, the first portion of the wireless endoscope including at least a lens, camera, and light, the first portion connected to the second portion of the wireless endoscope, the camera and the light are interchangeable in ordinary use, the second portion including at least a battery and a transceiver, and the first portion is configured to be inserted into a body while the second portion is configured to remain outside the body;

powering on the wireless endoscope in response to receiving user input from a user;

emitting light from a distal end of the first portion proximate the lens utilizing the light;

adjusting light emitted from the light of the wireless endoscope utilizing a user interface;

capturing video inside the body utilizing the camera in communication with the lens;

controlling the light and the camera utilizing the user interface;

and

wirelessly communicating the video from the transceiver to an external receiver associated with a display.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

connecting the first portion with the second portion utilizing a connector, wherein the first portion of the wireless endoscope is configured for insertion into the body and

visualizing the nasal cavities.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the user interface is presented to a user by a wireless device in communication with the wireless endoscope.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the video is communicated in real-time, and wherein neither the first portion nor the second portion of the wireless endoscope are ingested.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

recording the video to a memory in response to user input.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more of the transceiver and battery are interchangeable.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

formatting the video for communication to the external receiver in response to capturing the video.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the communicating is performed directly between the wireless endoscope and the external receiver.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the lens covers the camera and the light.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface is integrated with one or more surfaces of the second portion of the wireless endoscope.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

performing error detection and processing off the video.

12. A method for performing internal imaging, comprising:

providing a wireless endoscope, the wireless endoscope being portable, the wireless endoscope including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion are cylindrical bodies without protrusions or ports on their outer circumferential surfaces, the first portion of the wireless endoscope including at least a lens, camera, and light, the first portion connected to the second portion of the wireless endoscope, the camera and the light are interchangeable in ordinary use, the second portion including at least a transceiver and a rechargeable battery;

powering on the light and a camera in response to user input;

emitting light from a distal end of the first portion proximate the lens utilizing the light;

adjusting light emitted from wireless endoscope;

capturing video utilizing the camera in communication with the lens, wherein the first portion of the wireless endoscope is inserted into a body while the second portion of the wireless endoscope remains outside the body;

controlling at least the light and the camera utilizing a user interface controlled by a user;

and

wirelessly communicating the video from the transceiver to a receiver associated with a display utilized to display the video.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first portion is connected to the second portion utilizing a connector, and wherein the diameter of the first portion is adapted for viewing sinuses.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the light, the camera, the transceiver and the battery are interchangeable.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the user interface is presented to the user through a wireless device in communication with the wireless endoscope.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

formatting the video for wireless communication to the receiver associated with the display device in response to capturing the video.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

recording the video in response to a user selection.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the user interface is integrated with an outer surface of the second portion.

19. A method for performing internal imaging, comprising:

providing a wireless endoscope, the wireless endoscope being portable, the wireless endoscope including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion are cylindrical bodies without protrusions or ports on their outer circumferential surfaces, the first portion of the wireless endoscope including a lens, camera, and light, the first portion connected to the second portion of the wireless endoscope, the camera and the light are interchangeable in ordinary use, and the first portion is configured for insertion into the body and to visualize internal portions of a body;

receiving a rechargeable battery for electrical connection in the second portion;

powering on the light and a camera in response to user input;

emitting light from a distal portion of the light proximate the lens, wherein neither the first portion nor the second portion are ingested in the body;

adjusting illumination from the light of the wireless endoscope;

controlling at least the light and the camera utilizing a user interface of the second portion of the wireless endoscope controlled by a user;

capturing video utilizing the camera in communication with the lens;

formatting the video for wireless communication to a receiver associated with a display device in response to capturing the video; and

wirelessly communicating the video from a transceiver of the second portion of the wireless endoscope to the receiver in communication with the displaying device utilized to display the video.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

controlling the wireless endoscope through a wireless connection to a wireless device displaying a graphical user interface for controlling the wireless endoscope.