ENDOSCOPIC IMAGING SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A digital endoscopic camera adapted for interchangeable use with a variety of endoscopes having a first end and a second end, the first end having an eyepiece and the second end having a viewing end, the digital endoscopic camera comprising:
- a housing having a main body portion having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, an image acquisition device, a viewing screen operably attached to the main body portion, a coupler located at a distal end of the camera and removably connectable to an eyepiece of an attached endoscope, a processor, and memory with embedded software for processing data from the image acquisition device and for displaying an image on the viewing screen, the viewing screen being rotatable about an arc comprising at least a portion of a circle substantially concentric to the longitudinal axis of the main body portion of the digital endoscopic camera.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A portable hand-held endoscopy system adapted for interchangeable use with a variety of endoscopes. The system includes an endoscope having a first end and a second end, the first end having an eyepiece and the second end having a viewing end, the endoscope further having a coupler for coupling to a light source; and a battery operated unitary digital camera having an optical input, viewing screen, digital signal processor, memory with embedded software for processing data from the processor and for displaying an image on the viewing screen, and a coupler having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end includes a connector for removably connecting to the eyepiece, and the second end is coupled to the optical input of the digital camera. The video display is rotatable and pivotable about several different axes of rotation and a pivot point spaced distally from the main camera body. An ergonomic camera housing is provided, including a bulbous gripping region and two opposing forefinger accepting regions, facilitating a trigger-like grip and use of the camera by a physician. Redundant controls for moving video and still image capture facilitate ease of use by the physician as the camera and associated endoscope are held in a variety of orientations.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A digital endoscopic camera adapted for interchangeable use with a variety of endoscopes having a first end and a second end, the first end having an eyepiece and the second end having a viewing end, the digital endoscopic camera comprising:
a housing having a main body portion having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, an image acquisition device, a viewing screen operably attached to the main body portion, a coupler located at a distal end of the camera and removably connectable to an eyepiece of an attached endoscope, a processor, and memory with embedded software for processing data from the image acquisition device and for displaying an image on the viewing screen, the viewing screen being rotatable about an arc comprising at least a portion of a circle substantially concentric to the longitudinal axis of the main body portion of the digital endoscopic camera. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of performing an endoscopic inspection, comprising the steps of:
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providing a digital endoscopic camera adapted for interchangeable use with a variety of endoscopes having a first end and a second end, the first end having an eyepiece and the second end having a viewing end, the digital endoscopic camera comprising a housing having a main body portion having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, an image acquisition device, a viewing screen operably attached to the main body portion, a coupler located at a distal end of the camera and removably connectable to an eyepiece of am attached endoscope, a processor, and memory with embedded software for processing data from the image acquisition device and for displaying an image on the viewing screen;
attaching an eyepiece of an endoscope to the coupler;
positioning a viewing end of the endoscope proximate a region to be displayed on the viewing screen; and
rotating the viewing screen about an arc comprising at least a portion of a circle substantially concentric to the longitudinal axis of the main body portion of the digital endoscopic camera. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A digital endoscopic camera adapted for interchangeable use with a variety of endoscopes having a first end and a second end, the first end having an eyepiece and the second end having a viewing end, the digital endoscopic camera comprising:
a housing, an image acquisition device, a viewing screen operably attached to the housing, a coupler located at a distal end of the camera and removably connectable to an eyepiece of am attached endoscope, a processor, and memory with embedded software for processing data from the image acquisition device and for displaying an image on the viewing screen, the housing having a main body portion, at least one indented forefinger accepting region disposed on the main body portion, and a bulbous gripping region proximate the forefinger accepting region. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A digital endoscopic camera adapted for interchangeable use with a variety of endoscopes having a first end and a second end, the first end having an eyepiece and the second end having a viewing end, the digital endoscopic camera comprising:
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a housing, an image acquisition device a viewing screen operably attached to the main body portion, a coupler located at a distal end of the camera and removably connectable to an eyepiece of am attached endoscope, a processor, and memory with embedded software for processing data from the image acquisition device and for displaying an image on the viewing screen; and
at least one pair of redundant switches disposed on the housing, activation of either switch of the at least one pair of redundant switches performing the same function of at least one of initiating moving video image capture and initiating still image capture by the digital endoscopic camera. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification