Portable Endoscope and Method of Use Thereof

• US 20130096374A1
• Filed: 11/22/2011
• Published: 04/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Treble Innovations, LLC
• Original Assignee: Treble Innovations, LLC
• Inventors: Alexander, Ian Joseph, Owens, Brian Dean
• Granted Patent: US 9,757,150 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/102
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00009 of image signals during a use of endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00032 internally powered
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00034 rechargeable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00066 Proximal part of endoscope body, e.g. handles A61B1/0052 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00071 Insertion part of the endoscope body A61B1/0055 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00103 designed for single use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00105 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00108 characterised by self-sufficient functionality for stand-alone use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00154 using guiding arrangements for insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/044 for absorption imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0638 providing two or more wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/233 for the nose, i.e. nasoscopes , e.g. testing of patency of Eustachian tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12104 in an air passage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/24 for use in the oral cavity, larynx, bronchial passages or nose for medical inspection of cavities or tubes in the body A61B1/00; Tongue scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3423 Access ports, e.g. toroid shape introducers for instruments or hands access sites for liquids A61M39/0247
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/246 for cleaning of the nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3447 Linked multiple cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/345 for introduction into a natural body opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3937 : Visible markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/502 : Headgear, e.g. helmet, spectacles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 : with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/70 : Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/76 : Manipulators having means for providing feel, e.g. force or tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 : Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0488 : Mouthpieces; Means for guiding, securing or introducing the tubes guiding or introducing with laryngoscopes A61B1/267; holding devices on the body A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 : on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 : Nose

Abstract

One embodiment provides a portable endoscope. The portable endoscope includes a case configured to enclose at least electrical components of the portable endoscope. The electrical components include a camera configured to capture video content within a body of a patient. The components include one or more lights at least partially encompassing the camera. The one or more lights are adapted to illuminate internal portions of the body of the patient. The components include a transceiver in electrical communication with the camera. The transceiver is configured to receive the video content from the camera and wirelessly transmit the video content to a computing or communications device. The components include a battery configured to provide electrical energy to the camera, the one or more lights, and the transceiver. Each of the electrical components are interchangeable within the case.

Claims

1. A portable endoscope comprising:

a case configured to enclose at least electrical components of the portable endoscope, the electrical components comprising;

a camera configured to capture video content within a body of a patient;

one or more lights at least partially encompassing the camera, the one or more lights adapted to illuminate internal portions of the body of the patient;

a transceiver in electrical communication with the camera, wherein the transceiver is configured to receive the video content from the camera and wirelessly transmit the video content to a computing or communications device; and

a battery configured to provide electrical energy to the camera, the one or more lights, and the transceiver, wherein each of the electrical components are interchangeable within the case.

2. The portable endoscope of claim 1, wherein the case communicates the video content between the camera and the transceiver, and wherein the case communicates the electrical energy from the battery to the camera, the one or more lights, and the transceiver.

3. The portable endoscope of claim 2, wherein the case communicates the video content and the electrical energy utilizing traces.

4. The portable endoscope of claim 1, further comprising:

a switch configured to turn on and off the portable endoscope.

5. The portable endoscope of claim 1, wherein each of the electrical components comprises one or more contacts;

and

wherein the one or more contacts of the electrical components are utilized to communicate the video content to the transceiver for transmission and the electrical energy to the transceiver, the one or more lights, and the camera.

6. The portable endoscope of claim 1, wherein the case and the electrical components are substantially cylindrically shaped.

7. The portable endoscope of claim 1, wherein the electrical components include a ridge for properly aligning and connecting the electrical components.

8. The portable endoscope of claim 1, further comprising:

pin connectors for electrically connecting the electrical components.

9. The portable endoscope of claim 1, wherein the case has a first end and a second end, the case further comprising:

a lens at the first end for projecting light from the one or more lights and for capturing the video content utilizing the camera, wherein the case is waterproof.

10. The portable endoscope of claim 1, wherein the portable endoscope is mountable in a nasal guide for performing a medical procedure through a nose of the patient.

11. A interchangeable endoscope comprising:

a case configured to secure components of the interchangeable endoscope;

one or more lights at least partially enclosed by the case, the one or more lights adapted to illuminate internal portions of a body of a patient;

a camera positioned adjacent the one or more lights and at least partially enclosed by the case, the camera configured to capture video content within the body of the patient, the camera being interchangeable with one or more of a plurality of cameras;

a transceiver in electrical communication with the camera, wherein the transceiver is configured to receive the video content from the camera and wirelessly transmit the video content to a computing or communications device; and

a battery electrically connected to and powering the camera, the one or more lights, and the transceiver.

12. The interchangeable endoscope of claim 11, wherein each of the one or more lights, the camera, the transceiver, and the battery are enclosed within the case and interchangeable within the case.

13. The interchangeable endoscope of claim 11, further comprising:

a switch for activating and deactivating power from the battery.

14. The interchangeable endoscope of claim 11, wherein the case is flexible, and wherein the case is substantially cylindrically shaped for insertion into the body of the patient.

15. The interchangeable endoscope of claim 11, wherein the transceiver and the battery are external to the case and wearable by the patient during utilization of the interchangeable endoscope by a medical professional.

16. A portable endoscope comprising:

a camera configured to capture video content within a body of a patient;

one or more lights positioned adjacent the camera, the one or more lights adapted to illuminate internal portions of the body of the patient;

a case configured to at least partially enclose the camera and the one or more lights;

a transceiver, external to the case, connected to the camera by a cable, wherein the transceiver is configured to receive the video content from the camera and wirelessly transmit the video content to a computing or communications device; and

a battery connected to the transceiver and external to the case, the battery electrically connected to the camera and the one or more lights by the cable to provide power.

17. The portable endoscope of claim 16, wherein the transceiver and the battery are wearable by the patient during utilization of the portable endoscope.

18. The portable endoscope of claim 16, wherein the case has an openable end, and wherein the camera and the one or more lights are interchangeable by opening the openable end of the case.

19. The portable endoscope of claim 16, wherein the case has a first end and a second end, further comprising:

a lens at the first end of the case; and

a switch, at the second end of the case, for activating and deactivating the battery.

20. The portable endoscope of claim 16, wherein the case comprises a notch, and wherein the camera and the one or more lights include a ridge for aligning the camera and the one or more lights with the notch of the case.