ENDOSCOPIC ILLUMINATION SYSTEM, ASSEMBLY AND METHODS FOR STAGED ILLUMINATION OF DIFFERENT TARGET AREAS
First Claim
1. An illumination system for staged illumination in an endoscopic procedure, the system comprising:
- an illumination apparatus that is configured for removable assembly with an endoscope, the assembly being configured for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body, the illumination apparatus and endoscope forming an illumination system for illuminating a target area in the patient'"'"'s body with sufficient illumination levels for an imaging system at the insertion end of the endoscope to receive the reflected light and use it for required imaging; and
wherein the illumination apparatus has a light source providing a first, relatively high level of illumination suitable for imaging a first, relatively large target area, either alone or in combination with a light source for the endoscope, and after removal of the illumination apparatus from the assembly, the light source for the endoscope provides only a second relatively lower level of illumination suitable for imaging a relatively small target area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The inventive subject matter is generally directed to an illumination system for staged illumination in an endoscopic procedure. The inventive system generally includes an illumination apparatus supporting a light source that is configured for removable assembly with an endoscope. The assembly is configured for insertion into a natural or artificial passageway in a body. The illumination apparatus has one or more light sources providing a first, relatively high level of illumination suitable for imaging a first, relatively large target area, either alone or in combination with a light source for the endoscope, and after removal of the illumination apparatus from the assembly, the endoscope provides a second relatively lower level of illumination suitable for imaging a relatively small target area.
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Citations
46 Claims
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1. An illumination system for staged illumination in an endoscopic procedure, the system comprising:
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an illumination apparatus that is configured for removable assembly with an endoscope, the assembly being configured for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body, the illumination apparatus and endoscope forming an illumination system for illuminating a target area in the patient'"'"'s body with sufficient illumination levels for an imaging system at the insertion end of the endoscope to receive the reflected light and use it for required imaging; and wherein the illumination apparatus has a light source providing a first, relatively high level of illumination suitable for imaging a first, relatively large target area, either alone or in combination with a light source for the endoscope, and after removal of the illumination apparatus from the assembly, the light source for the endoscope provides only a second relatively lower level of illumination suitable for imaging a relatively small target area. - View Dependent Claims (3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 33, 34, 35, 36, 45)
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2. An assembly for use in an endoscopic procedure comprising:
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an illumination apparatus and an endoscope, the illumination apparatus and endoscope being removably assembled and arranged into an illumination system for inserting into and illuminating a target area in a patient'"'"'s body with sufficient illumination levels for an imaging system at the insertion end of the endoscope to receive the reflected light and use it for required imaging; wherein the assembly has an illumination apparatus having a light source providing a first, relatively high level of illumination suitable for imaging a first, relatively large target area, either alone or in combination with the illumination system onboard the endoscope, and after removal of the illumination apparatus from the assembly, the endoscope provides only a second relatively lower level of illumination suitable for imaging a relatively small target area; and the illumination apparatus and endoscope being arranged so as to allow the light source to illuminate a target site and for an imaging system at the handle end of the endoscope to receive the reflected light. - View Dependent Claims (4, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 37)
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38. A method of staged illumination in an endoscopic procedure comprising:
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introducing an endoscope comprising an endoscope light source and an illumination apparatus comprising an illumination apparatus light source into a body through a passageway; illuminating a first target site within the body using both the endoscope light source and the illumination apparatus light source; wherein the endoscope light source alone would not have been sufficient to illuminate the first target site; and wherein a second endoscope is not used. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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46. A molded access sheath comprising a body integrally molded with a light carrier that optically couples with a light emission device, the body sized and shaped to couple with an endoscope'"'"'s insertion end.
Specification