Endoscope

• US 20040097790A1
• Filed: 11/12/2003
• Published: 05/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Inner Vision Imaging LLC
• Original Assignee: Inner Vision Imaging LLC
• Inventors: Fisher, Richard, Henke, Steven, Farkas, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 6,949,069 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/160
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00188 with focusing or zooming features
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/3132 for laparoscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/146 for optical coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0068 Confocal scanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2438 Zoom objectives
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2446 of the image relay G02B23/26 takes precedence

Abstract

An endoscope assembly is disclosed having a housing adapted to be manipulated by medical personnel, such as a surgeon. An elongated lens tube has one end secured to the housing while an elongated stage is removably secured to the housing so that the stage encompasses and is coaxial with the tube. The stage together with the lens tube are adapted for insertion into the cavity of a body. A lens assembly provided within the lens tube relays the optical image from the free end of the stage to the housing. A lens assembly within the housing, furthermore, varies the magnification of the image between macroscopic magnification and microscopic magnification in which tissue may be examined on a cellular level. For macroscopic magnification, white light is transmitted through the lens tube as well as reflected back from the target tissue through the lens tube and to the housing. For microscopic examination, laser radiation is utilized in lieu of the white light illumination. A line scanning confocal assembly contained within the housing enables microscopic examination of the target tissue at varying levels into the tissue from the end of the stage.

Claims

1. An endoscope assembly comprising:

a housing,

an elongated lens tube having one end secured to said housing, said lens tube adapted for insertion into a cavity of a body,

a lens tube assembly contained in said lens tube which optically relays an image from a free end of the lens tube to said housing, said lens tube assembly extending substantially the entire length of said lens tube,

a housing lens assembly which receives the image from said lens tube and presents said image exteriorly of said housing,

a source of light radiation coupled to said housing,

means for directing radiation from said light source through said lens tube assembly.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising a source of infrared light radiation, wherein said source of light radiation comprises a source of visible light and wherein said directing means further comprises means for selectively directing radiation one of said sources through said lens tube assembly.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising an infrared camera and wherein said housing lens assembly comprises a confocal lens assembly optically connected in series with said infrared camera.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said infrared camera comprises a line scanning infrared camera.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said source of radiation comprises a laser.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said laser is a laser diode.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said laser has a wavelength of substantially 950 nm.