Portable endoscope

• US 20080114207A1
• Filed: 11/14/2006
• Published: 05/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Optim LLC
• Original Assignee: Optim LLC
• Inventors: Levshina, Aleksandra A., Krupa, Robert J., Root, Thomas V., Laflash, William F.
• Granted Patent: US 9,055,863 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/178
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00068 Valve switch arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00142 with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

Provided herein are water-tight, portable endoscopes that include the light and power source incorporated into a sealed compartment (also referred to herein as sealed canister) within the endoscope handle. The description also features water-tight, endoscope handles that include the light and power source incorporated into a sealed canister within the handle. In some embodiments, the sealed compartment contains all of the electronic components of the endoscope.

Claims

1. An endoscope handle comprising:

a) an exterior and an interior;

b) a sealed compartment within the interior of the endoscope handle comprising a light emitting diode (LED), an LED power source, and a gas-permeable portion such that the sealed compartment is gas-permeable and liquid impermeable.

2. The endoscope handle of claim 1, wherein the gas-permeable portion comprises a gas-permeable membrane.

3. The endoscope handle of claim 2, wherein the gas-permeable membrane comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

4. The endoscope handle of claim 2, wherein the gas-permeable membrane is impermeable to liquid up to about 10 PSI.

5. The endoscope handle of claim 1, further comprising an elongated portion.

6. The endoscope handle of claim 5, wherein the elongated potion comprises a sealed interior and an exterior.

7. The endoscope handle of claim 1, further comprising a door wherein the door allows access to the sealed compartment from the exterior of the handle when the door is in an open position.

8. An endoscope handle comprising:

a) an exterior and an interior;

b) a valve, wherein the valve allows fluid communication between the exterior and the interior of the handle when the valve is open;

c) a sealed compartment comprising an light emitting diode (LED), an LED power source, and a gas-permeable portion such that the sealed compartment is gas-permeable and liquid impermeable; and

d) a magnetic power switch comprising a moveable magnetic source on the exterior of the handle and a magnetically activatable switch inside the sealed compartment.

9. The endoscope handle of claim 8, wherein the gas-permeable portion comprises a gas-permeable membrane.

10. The endoscope of claim 9, wherein the gas-permeable membrane comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

11. The endoscope handle of claim 9, wherein the gas-permeable membrane is impermeable to liquid up to about 10 PSI.

12. The endoscope handle of claim 8, further comprising an elongated portion.

13. The endoscope handle of claim 12, wherein the elongated potion comprises a sealed interior and an exterior.

14. The endoscope handle of claim 8, further comprising a door wherein the door allows access to the sealed compartment from the exterior of the handle when the door is in an open position.

15. An endoscope comprising:

a) a handle comprising

i) an exterior and an interior;

ii) a valve, wherein the valve allows fluid communication between the exterior and the interior of the handle when the valve is open;

iii) a sealed compartment comprising an light emitting diode (LED), an LED power source and a gas-permeable portion such that the sealed compartment is gas-permeable and liquid impermeable; and

b) a magnetic power switch comprising a moveable magnetic source on the exterior of the handle and a magnetically activatable switch inside the sealed compartment.

16. The endoscope of claim 15, wherein the gas-permeable portion comprises a gas-permeable membrane.

17. The endoscope of claim 16, wherein the gas-permeable membrane comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

18. The endoscope of claim 16, wherein the gas-permeable membrane is impermeable to liquid up to about 10 PSI.

19. The endoscope of claim 15, wherein the elongated potion comprises a sealed interior and an exterior.

20. The endoscope of claim 15, further comprising a door wherein the door allows access to the sealed compartment from the exterior of the handle when the door is in an open position.

21. An endoscope comprising:

a) a handle comprising an exterior and an interior and means for allowing fluid communication between the exterior and interior of the handle;

b) a sealed compartment comprising means for generating light and means for allowing gas to enter the sealed compartment and for excluding liquid from the sealed compartment; and

c) means for activating the light generating means.