Technique for depth of field viewing of images using an endoscopic instrument
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- (a) an endoscope including a guide having a working channel, a light source and a lens, said guide coupled to means for receiving a medical instrument, to means for irrigating and to means for supplying a video image; and
(b) said endoscope coupled to a video camera;
(c) said video camera coupled to a video monitor;
(d) said video monitor coupled to a transparent screen which includes a plurality of generally parallel microprisms formed in the screen and extending horizontally across the width of the screen, said screen also coupled to an optical element operable to adjust the paths of light transmitted through said screen.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
An endoscopic instrument capable of being optically coupled to a video monitor adapted with a prismatic screen is disclosed. The instrument includes a working channel of 0.35 mm and a biopsy instrument having a substantially tubular end. The prismatic screen is mounted between a flat image and a viewer. Additional optical elements may be provided to enlarge a viewed image. A light hood may be provided to reduce glare and other effects of ambient light. Coating the screen with an anti-reflective coating may provide further protection from ambient light. Restructuring the image into smaller image elements provides image quality for a video image or the like. An aspherical lens may be used to minimize or remove distortion of the image perceived by a viewer to the side, above or below the center viewing axis of the screen.
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Citations
55 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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(a) an endoscope including a guide having a working channel, a light source and a lens, said guide coupled to means for receiving a medical instrument, to means for irrigating and to means for supplying a video image; and
(b) said endoscope coupled to a video camera;
(c) said video camera coupled to a video monitor;
(d) said video monitor coupled to a transparent screen which includes a plurality of generally parallel microprisms formed in the screen and extending horizontally across the width of the screen, said screen also coupled to an optical element operable to adjust the paths of light transmitted through said screen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system comprising:
an instrument for retrieving biopsy cells from a body coupled to an apparatus for depth of field viewing, said apparatus including;
a transparent screen for positioning between a flat image and a viewer, said transparent screen including a plurality of optical elements formed in said screen; and
an aspherical lens for positioning between said screen and a viewer, said lens being curved across its width which curvature is defined by at least two radii. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of inspecting a breast with an endoscopic instrument wherein said endoscopic instrument includes a guide having a working channel, a light source and a lens;
- a first tube having a biopsy channel;
a second tube having an irrigation channel;
a third tube having an interior passageway; and
a medical instrument for inserting into said biopsy channel and said working channel;
said method comprising the steps of;
(a) inserting the distal end of said medical instrument into the dilated nipple of said breast; and
(b) projecting an image of the interior of said breast on a video monitor. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
- a first tube having a biopsy channel;
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17. A method of extracting biopsy cells using an endoscopic instrument having a distal end that is substantially needle like, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) inserting said instrument into a body;
(b) causing liquid to be ejected from the distal end of said instrument;
(c) causing reverse pressure to form at the distal end of such instrument so that said liquid and biopsy cells are retrieved into said instrument; and
(d) extracting said cells from said body.
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18. A method of performing a medical procedure on the interior of a blood vessel using an endoscope having a substantially flexible guide of a length greater than one meter and which is optically coupled to a video monitor, said method comprising the steps of;
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(a) inserting said guide into a blood vessel; and
(b) projecting an image of the interior of said blood vessel on said video monitor.
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19. A method of clearing a clogged area in a lacrimal duct using an endoscope that includes a guide having an outer diameter of not more than about 1.2 mm and a working channel defined therein having an outer diameter of not more than about 0.35 mm, a first tube portion coupled to said guide having a biopsy channel defined therein;
- said biopsy channel being capable of receiving a medical instrument, a second tube portion coupled to said guide and having an irrigation channel defined therein, and a third tube portion coupled to said guide and having defined therein an interior passageway for holding fiber optic strands;
said method comprising the steps of;
(a) inserting said guide into the lacrimal duct of a patient;
(b) projecting an image of the interior of said duct on a video monitor;
(c) identifying the clogged area; and
(d) clearing said area with a laser. - View Dependent Claims (20)
- said biopsy channel being capable of receiving a medical instrument, a second tube portion coupled to said guide and having an irrigation channel defined therein, and a third tube portion coupled to said guide and having defined therein an interior passageway for holding fiber optic strands;
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21. A method of treating a tumor in an interior cavity of a body using an endoscopic instrument comprising a guide having a working channel, a light source and a lens;
- a first tube having a biopsy channel;
said first tube coupled to said guide;
a second tube having an irrigation channel;
said second tube coupled to said guide;
a third tube having an interior passageway;
said third tube coupled to said guide; and
a medical instrument for inserting into said biopsy channel and said working channel;
said medical instrument being substantially needle like at its distal end, said method comprising;
(a) inserting said guide into said cavity to approximately the position of the tumor;
(c) projecting an image of said tumor onto a video monitor; and
(b) injecting a chemotherpuetic liquid directly into said tumor by forcing said liquid through said irrigation channel and said working channel.
- a first tube having a biopsy channel;
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22. The method of performing a medical procedure on the interior of a body using an endoscope coupled to a video monitor, said video monitor being coupled to a transparent screen which includes a plurality of generally parallel microprisms formed therein, said microprisms extending horizontally across the width of the screen, said screen coupled to an optical element operable to adjust the paths of light transmitted through said screen, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) inserting said endoscope into said body; and
(b) projecting an image of the interior of said body on said screen. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A system comprising:
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an endoscope;
a video monitor coupled to said endoscope; and
an aspherical lens coupled to said video monitor. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. A system comprising:
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means for examining the interior of a bodily cavity or hollow organ;
means for displaying a video image coupled to said means for examining the interior of a bodily cavity or hollow organ; and
aspherical lens means coupled to said means for displaying a video image, said aspherical lens means configured for adjusting the path of light transmitted through said means for displaying a video image. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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30. A method of viewing the progress of a medical procedure comprising the steps of:
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generating an image of the interior of a bodily cavity or organ;
displaying the image on a video monitor; and
passing the image through an aspherical lens. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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33. A system comprising:
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an endoscope having a working channel of approximately 0.35 mm;
a video monitor coupled to said endoscope; and
an optical element, wherein said video monitor is coupled to said optical element. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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35. A system comprising:
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an endoscope;
a cytology instrument, wherein said cytology instrument is slidably and releasably coupled within said endoscope;
a video monitor coupled to said endoscope; and
an optical element, said optical element coupled to said video monitor. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38)
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39. A system comprising:
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an endoscope for examining the interior of a bodily cavity or hollow organ;
a video monitor coupled to said endoscope for displaying a video image;
a stepped aspherical lens coupled to said video monitor, said stepped aspherical lens configured to adjust the path of light transmitted through said video monitor. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41)
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42. A method for making an ashperical lens from a lens material, comprising the steps of:
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cutting a plurality of radii steps into a surface of the lens material; and
polishing the plurality of radii steps. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A cytology instrument for removing cells from a bodily material comprising:
a longitudinally extending main body portion having a proximal and a distal end, said distal end having a roughened surface and wherein said main body portion has a diameter of up to about 0.30 mm. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52)
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53. A method of retrieving cells from a bodily material using a cytology instrument having a diameter of up to about 0.30 mm, said method comprising the steps of:
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inserting the cytology instrument through a working channel of an endoscopic device;
scraping a surface of a targeted bodily tissue to remove material from the surface;
injecting a fluid through an irrigation channel of an endoscopic device, wherein the fluid mixes with the material removed from the surface forming a fluid-material mixture;
removing the cytology instrument from the working channel; and
aspirating the fluid-material mixture through the working channel. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55)
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Specification