Palpation device
First Claim
1. A palpation device comprising:
- a first palpation assembly including a first palpation member and a light source; and
a second palpation assembly including a second palpation member and a light detecting means for detecting light emitted by the light source and generating an image of a body part disposed between the first and second palpation members;
wherein at least one of the first and second palpation members is movable with respect to the other member, to palpate a body part disposed therebetween.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to a palpation device and a palpation simulation device for use in surgery, such as minimal access surgery. The invention also relates to a method of palpating a body part, and to a method of simulating palpation of a body part. In one embodiment of the invention, a palpation device (10) is disclosed which comprises a first palpation assembly including a palpation member (12) and a light source in the form of an LED (14) and a second palpation assembly including a palpation member (16) and a light detecting means, in the form of a camera (18), for detecting light emitted by the light source (14). At least one of the first and second palpation members (12, 16) is movable with respect to the other member, to palpate a body part such as a patient'"'"'s colon (20), disposed therebetween.
3 Citations
44 Claims
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1. A palpation device comprising:
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a first palpation assembly including a first palpation member and a light source; and
a second palpation assembly including a second palpation member and a light detecting means for detecting light emitted by the light source and generating an image of a body part disposed between the first and second palpation members;
wherein at least one of the first and second palpation members is movable with respect to the other member, to palpate a body part disposed therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A palpation simulation device comprising:
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a first palpation assembly including a first palpation member and a light source; and
a second palpation assembly including a second palpation member and a light detecting means for detecting light emitted by the light source and generating an image of a body part disposed between the first and second palpation members;
wherein at least one of the first and second palpation members is moveable with respect to the other member, to palpate a body part disposed therebetween.
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43. A method of palpating a body part, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a first palpation assembly including a first palpation member and a light source;
providing a second palpation assembly including a second palpation member and light detecting means for detecting light emitted by the light source and generating an image of a body part disposed between the first and second palpation members;
locating the first and second palpation assemblies with a body part disposed therebetween;
generating an image of said body part; and
moving at least one of the first and second palpation members relative to said other member, to palpate the body part.
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44. A method of simulating palpation of a body part, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a first palpation assembly including a first palpation member and a light source;
providing a second palpation assembly including a palpation member and light detecting means for detecting light emitted by the light source and generating an image of a body part disposed between the first and second palpation members;
locating the first and second palpation assemblies with a body part disposed therebetween;
generating an image of said body part; and
moving at least one of the first and second palpation members relative to said other member, to palpate the body part.
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Specification