Nasopharyngoscope

• US 3,913,568 A
• Filed: 06/07/1974
• Issued: 10/21/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Warner Lambert Technologies Inc (Pfizer Inc.)
• Original Assignee: George J. Carpenter
• Inventors: Carpenter, George J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaudet, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Layton, Henry S.
• Application Number:
  US05/477,543
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 128/4-11
• US Class Current: 600/142
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00165 with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics A61B1/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0055 Constructional details of insertion parts, e.g. vertebral elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2676 Bronchoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2733 Oesophagoscopes

Abstract

An instrument for examining the nasopharnyx and larnyx or portions of the alimentary canal and for assisting in intubation of the trachea. The instrument comprises a tubular probe having an optical image-forming objective internally of its distal end and a flexible image-conducting bundle of optical fibers extending from an image plane adjacent the objective throughout the length of the probe. The distal end of the probe is internally vertebrated with remote control means extending to the proximal end of the probe for use in effecting articulation of the vertebrated distal end.

Claims

1. In an articulable fiberscope instrument having a main supporting body, a fiber optic probe extending away from said main supporting body, said probe being freely laterally flexible in all directions throughout the intermediate and proximal portions of its length, a multiplicity of light-conducting fibers extending from adjacent the distal end of said probe internally therethrough into said main supporting body, a flexible imageconducting bundle of optical fibers also extending from a point adjacent said distal end of said probe internally therethrough into said main supporting body, means for directing light into proximal ends of said multiplicity of light-conducting fibers in said main supporting body for transmission of said light to said distal end of said probe and illumination of objects disposed forwardly thereof, objective lens means within said distal end of said probe, said lens means being constructed and arranged to form images of said illuminated objects in said image-conducting bundle of fibers for transmittance to said main supporting body and viewing therein, and an external flexible sheathing covering said probe, wherein the improvement comprises;

said distal end of said probe being terminated with a rigid fitting containing said objective lens means and said lens means being sealed within said rigid fitting;

a series of vertebrated annuli surrounding said imageconducting fiber bundle only distally of said probe, the number of said annuli being preselected according to the length of distal articulation desired of said fiberscope instrument, each annulus including a pair of oppositely diametrically disposed pivot lugs extending away from one side thereof and a pair of oppositely diametrically disposed sockets in its opposite side, said lugs of one annulus being engaged in sockets of an adjoining annulus to form said vertebrated relationship of said series;

said external flexible sheathing being distally terminated against said rigid fitting and connected thereto with a fluidtight seal preventing contamination of said series of vertebrated annuli by matter encountered externally of said probe;

remotely operable wire means extending from said main supporting body through said proximal and intermediate portions of said probe to said series of annuli;

anchor means fixed to said rigid fitting for receiving said wire means adjacent the most distally disposed annular of said series of annuli, said wire means being extended through said series of annuli and affixed to said anchor means;

holding means adjacent the oppositely disposed last annulus of said series of annuli for permanently retaining said vertebrated relationship of said annuli; and

means in said main supporting body for receiving and selectively manipulating said wire means to remotely articulate said series of annuli and the corresponding distal portion of said probe separately and independently of said free flexing of its intermediate and proximal portions.

2. A fiberscope instrument according to claim 1 wherein said holding means for permanently retaining said vertebrated relationship of said annuli comprises a sleeve member to which said last annulus is pivotally interrelated and a laterally flexible coil member, said coil member having one end secured to said sleeve and extended coaxially away therefrom to said main supporting body for preventing retraction of said sleeve in said probe.

3. A fiberscope instrument according to claim 2 further including a second laterally flexible coil member having one end secured to said anchor means and extending coaxially therefrom over said vertebrated annuli, holding means and first coil member throughout the length of said probe to said main supporting body for preventing longitudinal displacement of said anchor means in said probe. Pg,14

4. A fiberscope instrument according to claim 1 wherein the peripheral portion of each annulus is provided with a pair of oppositely diametrically disposed openings through which said wire means are extended, said openings being radially right angularly displaced from said lugs of said annulus.