Transparent Endoscope Head Defining A Focal Length

• US 20090318759A1
• Filed: 06/18/2009
• Published: 12/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SARCOS LC (Sarcos Technology & Robotics Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Jacobsen, Stephen C., Smith, Fraser M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,690,762 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0008 characterised by distal tip features
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00082 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00148 using anchoring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00177 for 90 degrees side-viewing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00188 with focusing or zooming features
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/051 Details of CCD assembly

Abstract

A catheter configured for imaging objects substantially in focus is described herein. An imaging device is disposed on the distal end of the catheter. The imaging device has an effective focal plane that is located in front of the imaging device. The catheter also includes a transparent focal instrument that has an outer periphery that is positioned at the effective focal plane of the imaging device, to enable objects in contact with the outer periphery of the transparent focal instrument to be imaged substantially in focus.

Claims

1. A catheter configured for imaging objects substantially in focus, comprising:

a) an imaging device disposed on a distal end of the catheter, the imaging device having an effective focal plane located in front of the imaging device; and

b) a transparent focal instrument coupled to the catheter, the transparent focal instrument having an outer periphery that is positioned at the effective focal plane of the imaging device to enable objects in contact with the outer periphery of the transparent focal instrument to be imaged substantially in focus.

2. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the transparent focal instrument is a transparent spacer.

3. The catheter of claim 2, wherein the transparent spacer is composed of a material selected from a group consisting of a polystyrene, polycarbonate, or PET.

4. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the transparent focal instrument is a transparent inflatable balloon.

5. The catheter of claim 4, wherein the imaging device is disposed inside of the inflatable balloon and wherein the outer periphery of the inflatable balloon when inflated is configured to be positioned at the effective focal plane of the imaging device.

6. The catheter of claim 5, wherein the catheter further includes an open channel configured to allow fluid communication between a first orifice in the catheter and a second orifice on the distal end of the catheter.

7. The catheter of claim 6, wherein the inflatable balloon is configured to cover the first orifice of the catheter when deflated for limiting fluid communication in the open channel.

8. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the imaging device comprises a SSID including an imaging array and a GRIN lens optically coupled to the imaging array of the SSID.

9. The catheter of claim 8, wherein the transparent focal instrument is coupled to the GRIN lens.

10. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the imaging device includes at least two imaging devices.

11. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the catheter includes a turning device configured to selectively turn the distal end of the catheter in a plurality of directions.

12. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the imaging device is configured to image in a lateral direction.

13. A catheter configured for imaging objects substantially in focus, comprising:

a) an imaging device disposed on a distal end of the catheter, the imaging device having an effective focal plane located in front of the imaging device;

b) a transparent focal instrument, coupled to the catheter, having an outer periphery that is positioned at the effective focal plane of the imaging device, to enable a target object in contact with the outer periphery of the transparent focal instrument to be imaged substantially in focus; and

c) a positioning device disposed near a distal end of the catheter and configured to selectively position the transparent focal instrument in contact with the target object.

14. The catheter of claim 13, wherein the positioning device comprises an inflatable balloon.

15. The catheter of claim 13, wherein the positioning device comprises a preformed shape memory material disposed within a lumen of the catheter, wherein when the preformed shape memory material is extended outside the lumen of the catheter it is biased in a coiled orientation and disposed to position the imaging device such that the transparent focal plane is in contact with the target object.

16. The catheter of claim 13, wherein the balloon is further disposed in a lateral facing direction opposite the imaging device and transparent focal instrument to selectively inflate in a lateral direction and position the transparent focal instrument in contact with the target object located aside the transparent focal instrument.

17. A method for imaging with a catheter, comprising:

a) providing a catheter with a transparent focal instrument having an outer periphery that is positioned at the effective focal plane of an imaging device;

b) positioning the outer periphery of the transparent focal instrument in contact with a target object to enable a target object in contact with the outer periphery of the transparent focal instrument to be imaged substantially in focus; and

c) imaging the target object.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein positioning includes inflating a balloon disposed on the catheter to move the transparent focal instrument in contact with the target object.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

a) providing a balloon coupled to the distal end of the catheter; and

b) inflating the balloon to position the outer periphery of the transparent focal instrument in contact with the target object.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the transparent focal comprises a transparent balloon having an inflated length substantially equivalent to the effective focal plane of the imaging device.