Interface for video endoscope system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An endoscope, comprising:
- a shaft having a distal end that is insertable into a body of a patient and a proximal end that remains outside of the patient, the shaft including one or more lumens therein;
an illumination mechanism at or adjacent the distal end of the shaft for providing illumination light;
imaging electronics within the shaft for producing image signals representative of a scene illuminated with the illumination light, said imaging electronics including a serial data transmitter for transmitting the image signals serially to a control housing;
a shaft connector for coupling the shaft to the housing, the connector including;
a liquid connector for receiving an irrigation liquid for supply to the one or more lumens in the shaft;
a gas connector for receiving an insufflation air/gas for supply to the one or more lumens in the shaft; and
an electrical connector for receiving electrical signals from the housing and for delivering the image signals to the housing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A video endoscope system includes a reusable control cabinet and an endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope may be used with a single patient and then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor, and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. An articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the actuators in the control cabinet or actuators in a control handle of the endoscope. Fluidics, electrical, navigation, image, display and data entry controls are integrated into the system along with other accessories.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An endoscope, comprising:
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a shaft having a distal end that is insertable into a body of a patient and a proximal end that remains outside of the patient, the shaft including one or more lumens therein;
an illumination mechanism at or adjacent the distal end of the shaft for providing illumination light;
imaging electronics within the shaft for producing image signals representative of a scene illuminated with the illumination light, said imaging electronics including a serial data transmitter for transmitting the image signals serially to a control housing;
a shaft connector for coupling the shaft to the housing, the connector including;
a liquid connector for receiving an irrigation liquid for supply to the one or more lumens in the shaft;
a gas connector for receiving an insufflation air/gas for supply to the one or more lumens in the shaft; and
an electrical connector for receiving electrical signals from the housing and for delivering the image signals to the housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An interface on an endoscope control cabinet for receiving a shaft connector of an endoscope, the interface including:
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an air/gas connector for delivering an insufflation air/gas to the shaft connector of the endoscope; and
an electrical connector that is adapted to deliver a clocking signal to the shaft connector of the endoscope and that includes a connection for receiving serial image signals that are clocked with the clocking signals. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An endoscopic imaging system, including:
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a control cabinet having a processing unit programmed to operate functions of the endoscopic imaging system; and
an interface for coupling the control cabinet to a connector of an endoscope, the interface including one or more valves that are operable to selectively engage a manifold within the connector of the endoscope to direct one or more liquids within one or more lumens in the endoscope without contacting the liquid. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. An endoscope comprising:
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a shaft having a distal end that is inserted into a patient'"'"'s body, and a proximal end that remains outside the patient'"'"'s body, and a number of lumens therein;
an illumination source at or adjacent the distal end for providing illumination light;
an image sensor for producing image signals representative of a scene illuminated by the illumination light; and
a shaft connector for coupling the shaft to a control cabinet, the shaft connector including a flexible manifold having a number of passages therein in fluid communication with at least one of the lumens of the shaft.
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Specification