Systems and methods relating to colposcopic viewing tubes for enhanced viewing and examination
First Claim
1. A colposcopic viewing tube for an external colposcope, the colposcopic viewing tube configured to be removably retained in front of a viewing lens of the colposcope and sized to be inserted into a vagina, wherein the colposcopic viewing tube comprises a substantially rigid proximal portion and an articulatable distal end.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Colposcopic viewing tubes for use with external colposcopes, otoscopes, velscopes. The colposcopic viewing tube is configured to be placed in front of the viewing lens of the colposcope, is typically opaque for a desired portion, and can create a light-tight connection between the patent and the external colposcope and enhance the accuracy or ease of examination of the cervix and other structures in the vagina. The tubes can, if desired, be flexed, extended, retracted, articulated, etc., while in use and can also be removed from the colposcope and be either sterilizable or disposable. The colposcopic viewing tube can be used with a disposable or sterilizable sleeve. The colposcopic viewing tube can comprise a one or more channels for illumination light, detection, spectroscopy, and imaging. In addition, colposcopic viewing tube can comprise extendable members that can be extended through one or more ports in the colposcopic viewing tube, which extension numbers can be sized and configured to fit within the os or other desired target.
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Citations
117 Claims
- 1. A colposcopic viewing tube for an external colposcope, the colposcopic viewing tube configured to be removably retained in front of a viewing lens of the colposcope and sized to be inserted into a vagina, wherein the colposcopic viewing tube comprises a substantially rigid proximal portion and an articulatable distal end.
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33. A removable colposcopic viewing tube for an external colposcope, the colposcopic viewing tube configured to be removably retained in front of a viewing lens of the colposcope and sized to be inserted into a vagina, wherein the colposcopic viewing tube comprises an illumination light emitter configured to emit illumination light from a distal end of the colposcopic viewing tube to a target, a separate spectroscopy channel configured to operably transmit detection light from the target to a spectral measurement device maintained outside a patient and a separate imaging channel configured to operably transmit an image of the target from the target to the viewing lens.
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34-51. -51. (canceled)
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52. An external colposcope comprising a viewing lens, wherein the improvement comprises a colposcopic viewing tube retained in operable connection in front of the viewing lens, the colposcopic viewing tube sized to be inserted into a vagina, wherein the colposcopic viewing tube comprises a substantially rigid proximal portion and an articulatable distal end.
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53-65. -65. (canceled)
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66. An external colposcope comprising a viewing lens, wherein the improvement comprises a colposcopic viewing tube retained in operable connection in front of the viewing lens, the colposcopic viewing tube sized to be inserted into a vagina, wherein the colposcopic viewing tube comprises an illumination light emitter configured to emit illumination light from a distal end of the colposcopic viewing tube to a target, a separate spectroscopy channel configured to operably transmit detection light from the target to a spectral measurement device maintained outside a patient and a separate imaging channel configured to operably transmit an image of the target from the target to the viewing lens.
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66-73. -73. (canceled)
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74. A method of preparing an external colposcope comprising:
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a) providing an external colposcope comprising a viewing lens; and
b) placing a colposcopic viewing tube in operable connection in front of the viewing lens, the colposcopic viewing tube sized to be inserted into a vagina and comprising a substantially rigid proximal portion and an articulatable distal end.
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75-86. -86. (canceled)
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87. A method of preparing an external colposcope for an examination comprising:
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a) providing an external colposcope comprising a viewing lens; and
b) placing a colposcopic viewing tube in operable connection in front of the viewing lens, the colposcopic viewing tube sized to be inserted into a vagina, wherein the colposcopic viewing tube comprises an illumination light emitter configured to emit illumination light from a distal end of the colposcopic viewing tube to a target, a separate spectroscopy channel configured to operably transmit detection light from the target to a spectral measurement device maintained outside a patient and a separate imaging channel configured to operably transmit an image of the target from the target to the viewing lens.
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88-96. -96. (canceled)
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97. A method of using an external colposcope comprising:
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a) providing an external colposcope comprising a viewing lens and a colposcopic viewing tube in operable connection in front of the viewing lens, the colposcopic viewing tube sized to be inserted into a vagina and comprising a substantially rigid proximal portion and an articulatable distal end;
b) inserting the colposcopic viewing tube into a vagina of a patient; and
c) obtaining information about a target inside the vagina through the colposcopic viewing tube.
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98-105. -105. (canceled)
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106. A method of using an external colposcope comprising:
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a) providing an external colposcope comprising a viewing lens and a colposcopic viewing tube in operable connection in front of the viewing lens, the colposcopic viewing tube sized to be inserted into a vagina, wherein the colposcopic viewing tube comprises an illumination light emitter configured to emit illumination light from a distal end of the colposcopic viewing tube to a target, a separate spectroscopy channel configured to operably transmit detection light from the target to a spectral measurement device maintained outside a patient and a separate imaging channel configured to operably transmit an image of the target from the target to the viewing lens;
b) inserting the colposcopic viewing tube into a vagina of a patient and emitting light from the illumination light emitter; and
c) obtaining information about a target inside the vagina through at least one of the spectroscopy channel and the imaging channel.
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107-114. -114. (canceled)
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117-118. -118. (canceled)
Specification