Optical snake

• US 20060167340A1
• Filed: 01/10/2006
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Inspectron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Perceptron Incorporated (Atlas Copco AB)
• Inventors: Boehnlein, Al, Newman, Tye, Pease, Alfred A., Eckhoff, Paul J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,758,495 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/127
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00052 positioned at proximal end of the endoscope body
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2476 Non-optical details, e.g. housings, mountings, supports
• 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

Abstract

An integrated solid state device for viewing and manipulating objects located in remote sites and locations which includes a flexible cable having a camera on one end and a viewer on an opposite end. The camera captures images near the end of the flexible cable and converts the images into a video signal that is transferred through wires that extend through the length of the flexible cable. The video signals are received by the viewer and converted into a displayed image. A variety of removable article manipulators can be attached to the distal end of the flexible cable and used to manipulate, capture and retrieve articles and objects near the distal end of the flexible cable.

Claims

1. An optical device for observing a remote situs which comprises

a length of flexible cable having a distal end and a proximal end;

an imager coupled to the distal end of the flexible cable for obtaining an image beyond the distal end of the flexible cable and converting the image into an electrical video signal;

a handheld image viewer coupled to the proximal end of the flexible cable for receiving the electrical video signal and converting the electrical video signal into a viewable image;

electrical leads that extend between the distal and proximal ends of the flexible cable to transfer the electrical video signal from the imager to the image viewer; and

at least one article manipulation attachment that is removably coupled to the distal end of the flexible cable for manipulating an object located near the distal end of the flexible cable.

2. An optical device for observing a remote situs according to claim 1, wherein the imager comprises a CMOS or a CCD.

3. An optical device for observing a remote situs according to claim 1, wherein the image viewer includes a housing having a first portion that supports a display screen and a hand grip portion.

4. An optical device for observing a remote situs according to claim 3, wherein the display screen comprises a LCD or CRT.

5. An optical device for observing a remote situs according to claim 1, wherein the image viewer includes a battery compartment for holding at least one battery.

6. An optical device for observing a remote situs according to claim 1, wherein the at least one article manipulation attachment is removably coupled to a housing located at the distal end of the flexible cable which housing houses the imager.

7. An optical device for observing a remote situs according to claim 6, wherein the at least one article manipulation attachment comprises a clip portion that clips onto the housing.

8. An optical device for observing a remote situs according to claim 1, wherein the at least one article manipulation attachment comprises one of a hook, basket, net, magnet, adhesive portion, spear, lance, grapple device, snagging device, mirror, or pushing portion.

9. An optical device for observing a remote situs according to claim 1, further comprising at least one LED at the distal end of the device.

10. A kit for locating and manipulating various objects located in remote situs which comprises

a length of flexible cable having a distal end and a proximal end;

an imager coupled to the distal end of the flexible cable for obtaining an image beyond the distal end of the flexible cable and converting the image into an electrical video signal;

a handheld image viewer coupled to the proximal end of the flexible cable for receiving the electrical video signal and converting the electrical video signal into a viewable image;

electrical leads that extend between the distal and proximal ends of the flexible cable to transfer the electrical video signal from the imager to the image viewer; and

a set of article manipulation attachments that can be removably and interchangeably coupled to the distal end of the flexible cable for manipulating an object located near the distal end of the flexible cable.

11. A kit for locating and manipulating various objects located in remote situs according to claim 10, wherein the imager comprises a CMOS or a CCD.

12. A kit for locating and manipulating various objects located in remote situs according to claim 10, wherein the image viewer includes a housing having a first portion that supports a display screen and a hand grip portion.

13. A kit for locating and manipulating various objects located in remote situs according to claim 10, wherein the display screen comprises a LCD or CRT.

14. A kit for locating and manipulating various objects located in remote situs according to claim 10, wherein the image viewer includes a battery compartment for holding at least one battery.

15. A kit for locating and manipulating various objects located in remote situs according to claim 10, wherein the article manipulation attachments are removably coupled to a housing located at the distal end of the flexible cable which housing houses the imager.

16. A kit for locating and manipulating various objects located in remote situs according to claim 15, wherein the article manipulation attachments comprise clip portions that clip onto the housing.

17. A kit for locating and manipulating various objects located in remote situs according to claim 10, wherein the article manipulation attachments comprise at least one of a hook, basket, net, magnet, adhesive portion, spear, lance, grapple device, snagging device, mirror, or pushing portion.

18. A kit for locating and manipulating various objects located in remote situs according to claim 10, further comprising at least one LED at the distal end of the device.