Endoscope apparatus

• US 20050085690A1
• Filed: 06/14/2004
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Der-Yang Tien
• Original Assignee: Der-Yang Tien
• Inventors: Tien, Der-Yang
• Application Number:
  US10/866,153
• Publication Number:
  US 20050085690A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/109
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00052 positioned at proximal end of the endoscope body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00105 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/24 for the mouth, i.e. stomatoscopes, e.g. with tongue depressors tongue depressors per se A61B13/00; Instruments for opening or keeping open the mouth combined with saliva removers A61C17/00; mouth openers for animals A61D15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2484 Arrangements in relation to a camera or imaging device processing or control of video signals generated by an endoscope H04N23/60, H04N23/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/555 for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

An endoscope apparatus includes a head portion for capturing images, a flexible connecting member made of optical fibers, and a body. The connecting member is used to transmit image data and control signals. A lens is provided in the head portion and adjustable to obtain sharp and clear images. The images are converted into image files and transmitted to an external data processor for data analysis. The optical fibers are flexible, such that the connecting member can be rolled and received in the body when it is not in use. A carrying member is provided on the body to allow a user to conveniently carry the endoscope apparatus. A disposable cover is used to cover the head portion and part of the connecting member that are to be in contact with an internal body cavity of a human, and a clamping member is provided to fix the cover in place.

Claims

1. An endoscope apparatus, comprising:

a head portion comprising an image capturing unit for capturing images, and an illuminator module for providing light to the image capturing unit, wherein the image capturing unit comprises;

a rotatable lens with an adjustable focal length; and

a converting module for converting the images captured by the image capturing unit into digital image data;

a flexible connecting member connected to the head portion to form an endoscope, wherein the connecting member transmits power to the head portion for performing the image capturing, and also transmits the captured images from the head portion; and

a body for receiving the head portion and the connecting member therein, the body comprising;

a display unit for displaying the images captured by the image capturing unit;

a socket for accommodating a storage medium for storing data;

a power supply module for providing power to the endoscope apparatus;

an out port for transmitting data out of the endoscope apparatus; and

a control interface for adjusting an operating mode of the image capturing unit.

2. The endoscope apparatus of claim 1, which is for examining an internal body cavity of a human.

3. The endoscope apparatus of claim 2, wherein the body cavity is one selected from the group consisting of oral cavity, nasal cavity, ear cavity, and rectum cavity.

4. The endoscope apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a disposable cover for covering the head portion and a predetermined part of the connecting member.

5. The endoscope apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a clamping member for fixing the cover in place on the connecting member.

6. The endoscope apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connecting member comprises at least one optical fiber and a cladding for covering the optical fiber.

7. The endoscope apparatus of claim 6, wherein the cladding is made of a material more rigid than the optical fiber.

8. The endoscope apparatus of claim 1, wherein the head portion further comprises a transparent window.

9. The endoscope apparatus of claim 1, wherein the illuminator module is located near the lens.

10. The endoscope apparatus of claim 1, wherein the illuminator module comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED).

11. The endoscope apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display unit is a liquid crystal display (LCD).

12. The endoscope apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body of the endoscope apparatus is provided with a carrying member for allowing a user to carry the endoscope apparatus via the carrying member.

13. The endoscope apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage medium is a flash memory card for storing the image data obtained by the image capturing unit.

14. The endoscope apparatus of claim 5, wherein the body of the endoscope apparatus is provided with a receiving unit having a liftable cap for receiving the cover and the clamping member before they are assembled to the head portion and/or the connecting member.

15. The endoscope apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power supply module provides power from a public electricity supply or batteries to the endoscope apparatus.

16. The endoscope apparatus of claim 1, wherein the out port transmits the data to an external data processor via wired or wireless transmission, and the data processor is one selected from the group consisting of personal computer, notebook computer, and personal digital assistant (PDA).

17. The endoscope apparatus of claim 16, wherein the out port is provided with a cable socket and/or an antenna to transmit the data via the wired or wireless transmission.

18. The endoscope apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control interface allows the focal length of the lens to be adjusted, the lens to be rotated, and/or light strength from the illuminator module to be controlled.

19. The endoscope apparatus of claim 1, wherein an ophthalmoscope module for identity recognition is provided in the body of the endoscope apparatus.

20. The endoscope apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible connecting member is allowed being rolled so as to receive the head portion and the connecting member in the body.