Portable imaging system employing a miniature endoscope

• US 20070167681A1
• Filed: 08/30/2006
• Published: 07/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: VisionScope Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Visionquest Holdings, LLC
• Inventors: Gill, Thomas, McDonald, James
• Application Number:
  US11/512,715
• Publication Number:
  US 20070167681A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/112
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00059 provided with identification means for the endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00142 with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00165 with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics A61B1/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/043 for fluorescence imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0607 for annular illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/0087 with index gradient

Abstract

A cart or man-portable system and method for performing endoscopic procedures is provided. A portable display device, such as a laptop computer, is coupled to a handle comprising a miniature camera and fiber optic illumination subsystem. A sterile disposable portion is fitted over the illumination subsystem and inserted into a target area on a patient. Images of the target area are conveyed from the camera to the display device while an endoscopic procedure is performed, thus facilitating real-time diagnosis during the procedure.

Claims

1. A fiber optic probe for viewing within a mammalian body comprising:

a handle having an image device, an optical coupler and a connector; and

a disposable sheath that encloses a fiber optic device, the sheath being connected to the handle with the connector and having a diameter of less than 3 mm.

2. The fiber optic probe of claim 1 further comprising a battery within the handle.

3. The fiber optic probe of claim 1 further comprising a processor connected to the imaging device.

4. The fiber optic probe of claim 1 further comprising a light source within the handle.

5. The fiber optic probe of claim 4 wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode (LED).

6. The fiber optic probe of claim 5 further comprising red, green and blue light emitting diodes.

7. The fiber optic probe of claim 4 wherein the light source comprises a laser.

8. The fiber optic probe of claim 7 wherein the laser comprises a gallium nitride diode laser.

9. The fiber optic probe of claim 1 further comprising a wireless transmitter that transmits video images to a control unit.

10. The fiber optic probe of claim 9, further comprises a wireless transmitter circuit module and an antenna.

11. The fiber optic device of claim 1 further comprising a wireless receiver.

12. The fiber optic device of claim 2 further comprising of power regulation circuit connected to the battery, a light source, a processor and the imaging devices.

13. The fiber optic device of claim 1 wherein the disposable sheath comprises a concentric fiber array having a diameter less than 2 mm.

14. The fiber optic device of claim 1 wherein the fiber optic device comprising an imaging fiber bundle that is rigidly connected to the handle, a proximal end of the imaging fiber bundle being optically coupled to the optical coupler.

15. The fiber optic probe of claim 14 further comprising a lens at a distal end of the imaging fiber bundle.

16. The fiber optic probe of claim 1 wherein the disposable sheath is detachably connected to the handle and the fiber optic device.

17. The fiber optic device of claim 1 wherein the disposable sheath includes the fiber optic device that is detachable from the handle.

18. The fiber optic device of claim 17 wherein the detachable fiber optic device comprises an imaging bundle and an illumination fiber optic device connected to a light source.

19. The fiber optic device of claim 1 wherein the sheath is insertable into a body lumen without a distending fluid.

20. The fiber optic device of claim 1 further comprising a base unit that is connectable to the handle.

21. The fiber optic device of claim 20 wherein the handle locks with the base unit such that the handle is electrically connected to the base unit.

22. The fiber optic device of claim 20 wherein the base unit comprises a battery charger.

23. The fiber optic device of claim 20 wherein the base unit comprises a network connection.

24. The fiber optic device of claim 20 wherein the base unit comprises a transmitter.

25. The fiber optic device of claim 20 wherein the base unit is connected to a facsimile device.

26. The fiber optic device of claim 20 wherein the base unit is connected to a computer.

27. The fiber optic device of claim 1 further comprising a cable connecting the handle to a computer.

28. The fiber optic probe of claim 9 wherein the control unit comprises a computer.

29. The fiber optic device of claim 28 wherein the computer comprises a laptop computer and a display.

30. The fiber optic device of claim 1 wherein the imaging device comprises a CMOS imaging device.

31. The fiber optic device of claim 1 wherein the imaging device detects light in a range of 300 nm to 1900 nm.

32. The fiber optic device of claim 1 further comprising an indentification circuit that identifies the sheath.

33. The fiber optic device of claim 32 wherein the identification circuit comprises a bar code reader that reads a bar code on the sheath.

34. The fiber optic device of claim 32 wherein the identification circuit comprises a radio frequency identification system.

35. The fiber optic probe of claim 32 wherein the identification circuit is on the handle.

36. The fiber optic probe of claim 32 wherein the sheath comprises an electronic identifier.

37. The fiber optic probe of claim 32 wherein the sheath has a serial number.

38. The fiber optic probe of claim 1 further comprising a light source that induces fluorescence in tissue that is detected with the imaging device.

39. The fiber optic probe of claim 1 wherein the imaging device detects infrared light in a range of 700 nm to 1000 nm.

40. The fiber optic device of claim 1 further comprising a cart for transport of a computer display and the probe.

41. The fiber optic device of claim 1 further comprising an achromatic lens at a distal end of the fiber optic device.

42. The fiber optic device of claim 1 wherein the imaging device detects light in a visible and a near infrared range.

43. The fiber optic device of claim 1 further comprising a cutting element to collect tissue sample.

44. The fiber optic device of claim 1 wherein the sheath includes a lens, a mirror or a prism at a distal end for side viewing.

45. The fiber optic device of claim 1 wherein the sheath is between 50 mm and 2500 mm in length.

46. The fiber optic device of claim 1 further comprising a fluid delivery channel for delivering medication or imaging dye to a region of interest in a body lumen or cavity.

47. The fiber optic device of claim 1 further comprising a display device on the handle.

48. The fiber optic device of claim 1 further comprising a control panel on the handle.

49. The fiber optic device of claim 1 further comprising a spectral filter coupled to the imaging device.

50. A method of performing body imaging comprising:

providing a handle having an imaging device;

attaching the handle to a disposable sheath, the sheath enclosing a fiber optic imaging device;

inserting the sheath into the patient; and

viewing a site within the patient without insertion of a fluid at the site.

51. The method of claim 50 further comprising providing an illumination source having a wavelength in the range of 700 nm-1200 nm.

52. The method of claim 50 further comprising providing a light source having a wavelength in a range of 10 nm to 380 nm to treat tissue in the patient.

53. The method of claim 50 further comprising providing a cart for transport of a system including a computer, a display, and a probe storage.

54. The method of claim 50 further comprising providing a laptop computer having a graphical user interface to display one or more images and enter patient data.

55. The method of claim 50 further comprising providing a light source in the handle.

56. The method of claim 50 further comprising viewing the site without a distending fluid

57. The method of claim 55 wherein the light source comprises an LED array.

58. The method of claim 50 further comprising transmitting image data from the handle to a computer with a wireless connection.

59. The method of claim 50 further comprising locking the handle with a base having a battery charger.

60. The method of claim 50 further comprising providing a batter, a processor, a wireless transmitter and a light source in the handle, the light source being coupled to a fiber optic array in the sheath.

61. A fiber optic probe for viewing within a mammalian body comprising:

a handle having an imaging device, an optical coupler that optically couples a fiber optic imaging channel to the imaging device, a fiber optic illumination channel, and a connector; and

a disposable sheath that encloses the fiber optic imaging channel, the sheath being connected to the handle with the connector and having a diameter of less than 3 mm the sheath further comprising a distal window.

62. The fiber optic probe of claim 61 further comprising a battery within the handle.

63. The fiber optic probe of claim 61 further comprising a processor connected to the imaging device.

64. The fiber optic probe of claim 61 further comprising a light source within the handle.

65. The fiber optic probe of claim 64 wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode (LED).

66. The fiber optic probe of claim 61 wherein the window further comprises an illumination window and a light collection window.

67. The fiber optic probe of claim 66 wherein the illumination window is optically decoupled from the collection window.

68. The fiber optic probe of claim 67 wherein the sheath is fluidly sealed to the window.

69. The fiber optic probe of claim 68 wherein the collection window is decoupled from the illumination window with an optical barrier.

70. The fiber optic probe of claim 69 wherein the optical barrier comprises a spacer attached with an adhesive.