Miniature endoscope with imaging fiber system

• US 20030083552A1
• Filed: 10/19/2001
• Published: 05/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VisionScope Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: VisionScope, Inc.
• Inventors: Remijan, Paul, McDonald, James E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,863,651 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/182
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00142 with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00165 with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics A61B1/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00167 Details of optical fibre bundles, e.g. shape or fibre distribution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/012 characterised by internal passages or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0607 for annular illumination
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2469 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2476 Non-optical details, e.g. housings, mountings, supports
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0025 for optical correction, e.g. distorsion, aberration
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/0087 with index gradient

Abstract

An endoscope has a fiber optic waveguide that transmits an image from a distal end to a proximal end, the waveguide having an outer diameter of less than 3 mm. A lens system is positioned at the distal end of the fiber optic waveguide. An imaging device is optically coupled to the proximal end of fiber optic waveguide. A disposable sheath extends about the fiber optic waveguide to provide a sterile barrier, and in a preferred embodiment the sheath includes an illumination channel. In a preferred embodiment, the lens system has a first lens element, a second lens element and an aperture stop.

Claims

1. An endoscope comprising:

a fiber optic waveguide that transmits an image from a distal end to a proximal end, the waveguide having an outer diameter of less than 3 mm;

a lens positioned at the distal end of the fiber optic waveguide;

an imaging device optically coupled to the proximal end of the fiber optic waveguide; and

a sheath extending about the fiber optic waveguide, the sheath including an illumination channel.

2. The endoscope of claim 1 wherein the lens comprises a first lens element, a second lens element and an aperture stop.

3. The endoscope of claim 1 wherein the lens couples light at any position on a distal surface of the lens to a plurality of optical fibers such that the numerical aperture of light entering each fiber from a position varies as a function of angle.

4. An endoscope comprising:

a fiber optic waveguide that transmits an image, the waveguide having a diameter of less than 2 millimeters;

an optical system coupled to a distal end of the waveguide;

a lens system optically coupled to a proximal end of the waveguide;

an imaging device that receives an image from the fiber optic waveguide; and

a disposable sheath extending over the optical waveguide.

5. The endoscope of claim 4 wherein the fiber optic waveguide is plurality of optical fiber.

6. The endoscope of claim 5 wherein the waveguide has at least 3000 imaging fibers.

7. The endoscope of claim 6 wherein the optical lens at the distal end of the waveguide is an achromatic lens system including an aperture stop.

8. The endoscope of claim 7 wherein the numerical aperture of the lens system is balanced to the imaging fibers.

9. The endoscope of claim 4 wherein the disposable sheath has a window over the distal end.

10. The endoscope of claim 4 wherein the disposable sheath has a lens at the distal end.

11. The endoscope of claim 4 wherein the optical system is non-telecentric and includes a first lens element, a second lens element and an aperture stop.

12. The endoscope of claim 4 wherein the disposable sheath transmits light to the distal end of the endoscope.

13. The endoscope of claim 4 further comprising an annular illumination channel encircling the optical waveguide fiber for transmitting the light and the sheath having a single sealed outer tube.

14. The endoscope of claim 6 wherein the disposable sheath has a tube for passing a tool to the distal end of the endoscope.

15. The endoscope of claim 4 further comprising a working channel.

16. The endoscope of claim 4 wherein the sheath comprises an illumination fiber optic system coupled to a light source through a handle.

17. The endoscope of claim 12 wherein an illumination fiber extending through the sheath is coupled to a light source with a connector.

18. The endoscope of claim 4 wherein the imaging device is connected to an image processor.