Tactile control device for a remote sensing device
First Claim
1. In combination with a fiberscope including an elongated flexible insertion tube, an illuminating and viewing system mounted at a distal end of said tube and a control unit for bending said tube at said distal end in two planes;
- a tactile control device includinga flexible hood circumferentially surrounding said illuminating and viewing system at said distal end, said hood projecting forwardly of said distal end; and
a plurality of sensing devices disposed circumferentially on said hood forward of said distal end, said sensing devices being responsive to an inward flexing of said hood to emit a signal indicative of the location of a flexed section of said hood.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The remote sensing device is added to a fibro-optic illuminating and viewing system such as a colonoscope. The directional sensing device is located in a flexible hood surrounding the distal end of the fiberscope. The sensor devices located in the hood at close spacings consist of semi-conductive digital foam sheath with electrodes located on its inside surface. The sheath and electrodes are attached to an ohmmeter so that when the instrument contacts with the wall, e.g. of a colon, the pressure is measured. The completed circuit forms a signal which is used to direct the distal end of the fiberscope in a direction away from the point of greatest resistance so as to follow the lumen with greater safety.
Contacts may also be positioned along the length of the endoscope so as to be activated by tension below the level of pressure required to disrupt the intestinal wall, or when used in other applications, at a level of pressure appropriate to that use.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. In combination with a fiberscope including an elongated flexible insertion tube, an illuminating and viewing system mounted at a distal end of said tube and a control unit for bending said tube at said distal end in two planes;
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a tactile control device including a flexible hood circumferentially surrounding said illuminating and viewing system at said distal end, said hood projecting forwardly of said distal end; and a plurality of sensing devices disposed circumferentially on said hood forward of said distal end, said sensing devices being responsive to an inward flexing of said hood to emit a signal indicative of the location of a flexed section of said hood. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. In combination with a fiberscope including a distal end, a flexible optic fiber means extending to said distal end to transmit light thereto, a lens at said distal end, an eyepiece at a proximal end to view an image through said lens, and a control unit for remotely bending said distal end;
a tactile control means comprising a flexible hood surrounding said distal end and projecting forwardly of said distal end, a plurality of sensing devices in said hood forward of said distal end to signal when a section of said flexible hood flexes upon contact with an obstruction. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A tactile control device comprising
a flexible spherical hood for mounting on a distal end of a flexible tube, and a plurality of pressure-sensitive sensing devices mounted in said hood, each said sensing device being responsive to an inward flexing of said hood for emitting a signal indicative of the location of a flexed section of said hood.
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16. In combination with a fiberscope including an elongated flexible insertion tube, an illuminating and viewing system mounted at a distal end of said tube and a control unit for bending said tube at said distal end in two planes;
a tactile control device including a flexible hood about said distal end, and a plurality of pressure-sensitive sensing devices disposed circumferentially on said hood, each said device being responsive to flexing of said hood to emit a signal indicative of the location of a flexed section of said hood. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification