ENDOSCOPE WITH DETACHABLE ELONGATION PORTION

• US 20080214896A1
• Filed: 01/10/2008
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Optim LLC
• Original Assignee: Optim LLC
• Inventors: Krupa, Robert J., Root, Thomas V., Levshina, Aleksandra A., Laflash, William F., Parillo, Anthony J.
• Application Number:
  US11/972,489
• Publication Number:
  US 20080214896A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/136
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00105 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00128 mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0052 Constructional details of control elements, e.g. handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0653 with wavelength conversion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres

Abstract

Endoscopes comprising a handle and a detachable elongation portion housing a light source for illuminating the distal end of the elongation portion are provided.

Claims

1. A detachable elongation portion for an endoscope comprising:

a detachment section comprising a first light source, the detachment section configured such that the detachable elongation portion can be removably attached to an endoscope handle,

a shaft comprising a distal end and a proximal end, and

a light guide, wherein a proximal end of the light guide is coupled to the first light source and wherein the light guide extends through the shaft to the distal end of the shaft.

2. The detachable elongation portion of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the light guide is coupled to the first light source such that the proximal end of the light guide is in contact with a light emitting surface of the first light source.

3. The detachable elongation portion of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the light guide is coupled to the first light source such that the proximal end of the light guide is in contact with a wavelength converting substance.

4. The detachable elongation portion of claim 1, wherein the first light source is a semiconductor light source.

5. The detachable elongation portion of claim 1, further comprising a second light source located in the detachment section.

6. The detachable elongation portion of claim 5, wherein the second light source is part of a system for calculating properties related to the elongation portion and the object under inspection.

7. The detachable elongation portion of claim 6, wherein the second light source is a semiconductor light source.

8. The detachable elongation portion of claim 6, wherein the second light source is coupled to a proximal end of a second light guide.

9. The detachable elongation portion of claim 6, wherein the second light guide extends through the shaft to the distal end of the shaft.

10. The detachable elongation portion of claim 1, further comprising a parameter setting device including a code that sets parameters in electronics in the endoscope handle when the elongation portion is attached to the endoscope handle.

11. The detachable elongation portion of claim 1, wherein the first light source further comprises an attachment section configured to connect to a power source in an endoscope handle when the elongation portion is connected to the handle.

12. The detachable elongation portion of claim 1, further comprising a mechanical articulating device for articulating the distal end of the shaft.

14. An endoscope comprising a detachable elongation portion and a handle wherein the elongation portion comprises a detachment section comprising a first light source, the detachment section configured such that the detachable elongation portion can be removably attached to an endoscope handle, a shaft comprising a distal end and a proximal end, a light guide wherein a proximal end of the light guide is coupled to the first light source and wherein the light guide extends through the shaft to the distal end of the shaft.

13. The detachable elongation portion of claim 14, wherein the mechanical articulating device comprises gears that mesh with gears on an endoscope handle.

15. The endoscope of claim 14, wherein the first light source is a semiconductor light source.

16. The endoscope of claim 14, further comprising a second light source located in the detachment section.

17. The endoscope of claim 16 wherein the second light source is part of a system for calculating properties related to the elongation portion and the object under inspection.

18. The endoscope of claim 16, wherein the second light source is a semiconductor light source.

19. The endoscope of claim 16, wherein the second light source is coupled to a proximal end of a second light guide.

20. The endoscope of claim 14, wherein the second light guide extends through the shaft to the distal end of the shaft.

21. The endoscope of claim 16, wherein the handle further comprises a receiving device and the elongation portion further comprises a parameter setting device, the receiving device being configured to connect with the parameter setting device.

22. The endoscope of claim 21, wherein the parameter setting device comprises a code whereupon connection with the receiving device sets parameters in electronics of the handle based upon the code.

23. The endoscope of claim 14, wherein the first light source further comprises an attachment section configured to connect to a power source located in an endoscope handle when the elongation portion is connected to the handle.

24. The endoscope of claim 14, wherein the detachable elongation portion further comprises a mechanical articulating device for articulating the distal end of the shaft.

25. The endoscope of claim 14, wherein the detachable elongation portion further comprises a first gear system and the handle further comprises a second gear system, wherein the first gear system is configured to mesh with the second gear system to form a system for controlling the articulating device of the elongation portion.