IMAGING SYSTEM HAVING A QUICK CONNECT COUPLING INTERFACE

• US 20120100729A1
• Filed: 10/19/2011
• Published: 04/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: UroViu Corp.
• Original Assignee: Avram Allan Edidin, Xiaolong Ouyang
• Inventors: Edidin, Avram Allan, Ouyang, Xiaolong
• Granted Patent: US 8,702,594 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/38
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00011 characterised by signal transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00071 Insertion part of the endoscope body A61B1/0055 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00105 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0011 Manufacturing of endoscope parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00112 Connection or coupling means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00128 mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0057 Constructional details of force transmission elements, e.g. control wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/053 being detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/622 Screw-ring or screw-casing H01R13/623 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/26 for engaging or disengaging the two parts of a coupling device structural association with two-part coupling device H01R13/629
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49208 by assembling plural parts

Abstract

An imaging system can include a base unit and one or more imaging units. The base unit can include a main interface that has a plurality of main electrical connectors and one or more main mechanical connectors. A mechanical system is located in the base unit. Each imaging unit can include an elongate support member having a proximal end, a proximal section, a bendable section, and a distal end. Also, an imaging interface that couples with the main interface can be included on the proximal end of the elongate support member. The imaging interface includes a plurality of imaging electrical connectors that correspond and connect with the main electrical connectors of the main interface and includes one or more imaging mechanical connectors that correspond and connect with main mechanical connectors of the main interface. Mechanical actuators can bend the bendable section under control from the base unit.

Claims

1. An imaging system comprising:

a base unit comprising;

a housing;

a system control module located in the housing;

a main interface on the housing, the main interface includes a plurality of main electrical connectors operably coupled with the system control module and includes one or more main mechanical connectors;

a mechanical system located in the housing and mechanically coupled with the one or more main mechanical connectors; and

a mechanical activating member mechanically coupled with the mechanical system; and

one or more imaging units each being configured to be removably coupled to the base unit, the imaging unit comprising;

an elongate support member having a proximal end, a proximal section, a bendable section, and a distal end;

an imaging interface on the proximal end of the elongate support member, the imaging interface includes a plurality of imaging electrical connectors that correspond and connect with the main electrical connectors of the main interface and includes one or more imaging mechanical connectors that correspond and connect with main mechanical connectors of the main interface;

one or more mechanical actuators each having a proximal end mechanically coupled with the one or more imaging mechanical connectors and extending from the imaging interface along the elongate support member to a distal region of the bendable section with is coupled to a distal end of the mechanical actuator; and

a plurality of electrically conductive elements electronically coupled with the imaging electrical connectors and disposed within the elongate support member and extending from the imaging interface to an imaging module located in the distal end of the elongate support member.

2. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the main mechanical connectors and imaging mechanical connectors are configured as force transfer connectors when coupled that are configured to transfer mechanical forces from the mechanical system of the base unit to the one or more mechanical actuators in order to bend the bendable section of the elongate support member.

3. The imaging system of claim 2, wherein the housing includes a power source that is operably coupled with one or more of the plurality of main electrical connectors, which are configured to transfer electrical power from the base unit to the imaging unit.

4. The imaging system of claim 3, wherein the force transfer connectors are magnetic.

5. The imaging system of claim 4, wherein the force transfer connectors include one or more of a permanent magnet, a ferromagnetic member, or an electromagnet.

6. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the main mechanical connectors and imaging mechanical connectors are coupled by an adhesive.

7. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the base unit includes one or more main engagement members associated with the main interface and the imaging unit includes one or more imaging engagement members that are configured to be coupled with the one or more main engagement members when the base unit is coupled to the imaging unit.

8. The imaging system of claim 7, wherein the one or more main engagement members are coupled with the one or more imaging engagement members when the base unit is coupled with the imaging unit.

9. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the bendable section of the elongate support member includes a shape memory member extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the bendable section.

10. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the shape memory member includes a shape memory alloy that is straight when in its relaxed state.

11. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the mechanical system includes a spindle gear coupled with a force cable at one end with the other end of the force cable being coupled with the one of the main mechanical connectors, and wherein activating the spindle gear winds the force cable therearound so as to apply a bias to the main mechanical connector.

12. The imaging system of claim 11, wherein the mechanical system includes a drive gear engaged with the spindle gear and a mechanical activating member is coupled with the drive gear such that activation of the mechanical activating member actuates the drive gear.

13. The imaging system of claim 12, wherein the mechanical system includes a bias system coupled with the drive gear such that the bias system applies a bias to the drive gear.

19. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the shape memory member includes a shape memory alloy that is straight when in its relaxed state.

14. A disposable imaging unit comprising:

an elongate support member having a proximal end, a proximal section, a bendable section, and a distal end;

an imaging interface located on the proximal end of the elongate support member, the imaging interface includes a plurality of imaging electrical connectors that correspond and connect with main electrical connectors of a main interface of a base unit, and the imaging interface includes one or more imaging mechanical connectors that correspond and connect with the main mechanical connectors of the main interface of the base unit;

one or more mechanical actuators each having a proximal end mechanically coupled with the one or more imaging mechanical connectors and extending from the imaging interface along the elongate support member to a distal region of the bendable section with is coupled to a distal end of the mechanical actuator; and

a plurality of electrically conductive elements electronically coupled with the imaging electrical connectors and disposed within the elongate support member and extending from the imaging interface to an imaging module located in the distal end of the elongate support member.

15. The imaging unit of claim 14, wherein the imaging mechanical connectors are configured as magnetic force transfer connectors when coupled to corresponding mechanical connectors of the base unit, and which are configured to transfer mechanical forces from the base unit to the one or more mechanical actuators in order to bend the bendable section of the elongate support member.

16. The imaging unit of claim 15, wherein the force transfer connectors include one or more of a permanent magnet, a ferromagnetic member, or an electromagnet.

17. The imaging unit of claim 14, wherein the imaging interface includes one or more imaging engagement members that are configured to be coupled with one or more main engagement members when the base unit is coupled to the imaging unit.

18. The imaging unit of claim 14, wherein the bendable section of the elongate support member includes a shape memory member extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the bendable section.

20. A base unit comprising:

a housing;

a system control module located in the housing;

a main interface on the housing, the main interface includes a plurality of main electrical connectors operably coupled with the system control module and includes one or more main mechanical connectors;

a mechanical system located in the housing and mechanically coupled with the one or more main mechanical connectors, the mechanic system comprising;

a spindle gear coupled with a force cable at one end with the other end of the force cable being coupled with the one of the main mechanical connectors, and wherein activating the spindle gear winds the force cable therearound so as to apply a bias to the main mechanical connector;

a drive gear engaged with the spindle gear;

a mechanical activating member coupled with the drive gear such that activation of the mechanical activating member actuates the drive gear; and

a bias system coupled with the drive gear such that the bias system applies a bias to the drive gear.