Computer monitoring of endoscope
First Claim
1. In an endoscope of the type having a main body including a sheath, a working element slidingly disposed within said sheath, and a cutting element mounted on the distal end of said working element, the improvement comprising:
- (a) means for attaching said endoscope to the body of a patient to provide a fixed reference point; and
(b) means for measuring the position of said cutting element in relation to said fixed point as the cutting element is moved about the area being explored.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An endoscope is modified so it can be connected to a computer. Thus all the movements of the said endoscope is monitored and displayed on the computer screen in color graphic form. When surgery is performed using the said endoscope there are limits within which cutting away of the diseased tissue is safe. Surgery beyond these safe limits can cause dangerous consequences to the patient. These safe limits are preset. During surgery the position of the cutting element of the said endoscope is continuously monitored and displayed. When any of these limits are transgressed and the cutting current is about to be switched on then an alarm by the computer alerts the surgeon. Events occurring during surgery are recorded on the computer disc for future reference. The importance of this is exact and continuous monitoring of the cutting element and recording the surgery for future playback and study.
293 Citations
18 Claims
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1. In an endoscope of the type having a main body including a sheath, a working element slidingly disposed within said sheath, and a cutting element mounted on the distal end of said working element, the improvement comprising:
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(a) means for attaching said endoscope to the body of a patient to provide a fixed reference point; and (b) means for measuring the position of said cutting element in relation to said fixed point as the cutting element is moved about the area being explored. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for monitoring and displaying on a display screen the movement of an endoscope in relation to the area being examined and treated comprising:
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(a) an endoscope including a distal end portion capable of being inserted into the body of a patient for examination and treatment; (b) means for attaching said endoscope to said patient'"'"'s body to provide a fixed reference point; (c) means for measuring the limits of the area being examined and treated in relation to said reference point; (d) means for measuring the position of said distal end portion of said endoscope in relation to said reference point; and (e) means associated with each said measuring means for generating and displaying a representation of the area being examined and treated including said limits and indicating the position of the distal end portion of said endoscope in relation to such area. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A process for monitoring the movement of an endoscope in relation to an area being examined not treated comprising:
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(a) attaching said endoscope to the patient'"'"'s body to provide a fixed reference point; (b) inserting the distal end of the endoscope into the area to be examined and treated; (c) measuring the limits of the area being examined and treated in relation to said reference point; (d) measuring the position of the distal end of said endoscope in relation to said reference point; (e) converting each of said measurements into electrical signals; (f) using said electrical signals to generate graphic representation of the area being examined including said limits and to indicate the position and movement of said distal end of said endoscope in relation to such area. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification