Deflectable tip videoarthroscope

• US 20070249899A1
• Filed: 04/05/2007
• Published: 10/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arthrex Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Arthrex Incorporated
• Inventors: Seifert, Alexander
• Granted Patent: US 8,647,262 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/109
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0004 for electronic operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00078 with stiffening means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/317 for bones or joints, e.g. osteoscopes, arthroscopes

Abstract

A deflectable tip videoarthroscope of 5.4 mm diameter or smaller, comprising a miniaturized chip-in-tip CCD with four-way angulations mounted on the distal end of the arthroscope. The deflectable tip videoarthroscope may be provided with a replaceable distal window made of a thin material (such as polycarbonate or acrylic) or a glass (sapphire or other) with very high light transmission properties, connected to a sheathing system that is disposable or limited-reusable, which could be discarded if a shaver burr or ablation probe contacts the lens. This design protects the distal window of the videoarthroscope during use and reduces scope repair costs and system down-time. The deflectable tip videoarthroscope may additionally include a steering wheel, which allows 360 degree rotation of the instrument during arthroscopic procedures. The videoarthroscope may further include an irrigation channel or a wireless imager control system.

Claims

1. A videoarthroscope comprising:

a camera head;

a scope shaft, extending from the camera head;

a deflectable tip at the end of the scope shaft;

an imager mounted at the distal end of the deflectable tip; and

a window arranged at the distal end of the deflectable tip, such that the imager can take images through the window.

2. The videoarthroscope of claim 1, wherein the deflectable tip allows a 360 degree rotation.

3. The videoarthroscope of claim 1, further comprising a camera cable attached to the camera head.

4. The videoarthroscope of claim 1 further comprising a retractable sheath configured to extend over the scope shaft, thereby allowing the videoarthroscope to be used in a flexible mode or a rigid mode.

5. The videoarthroscope of claim 1 further comprising a steering wheel.

8. The videoarthroscope of claim 1 wherein the deflectable tip is 30 degree angled.

9. The videoarthroscope of claim 1 wherein the imager is a miniaturized CCD imager.

10. The videoarthroscope of claim 1 wherein the imager is a CCD or CMOS chip.

11. The videoarthroscope of claim 1 wherein the distal window is removable.

12. The videoarthroscope of claim 1 wherein the distal window comprises one of polycarbonate, acrylic, sapphire or other glass.

13. The videoarthroscope of claim 1, further comprising camera control buttons arranged on the camera head, wherein the camera control buttons control operation of the imager.

14. The videoarthroscope of claim 13, wherein the camera control buttons are arranged as continuous rings around the camera head.

15. The videoarthroscope of claim 1, wherein the imager is controlled by a wireless control system.

16. The videoarthroscope of claim 15, wherein the wireless control system comprises a wireless headset microphone.

17. The videoarthroscope of claim 15, wherein the wireless control system comprises a clip on wireless device with buttons.

18. The videoarthroscope of claim 1, further comprising fiber optic light transmission bundles.

19. The videoarthroscope of claim 1, further comprising an irrigation channel running though the scope shaft.

6-7. -7. (canceled)