Endoscope assembly and surgical instrument for use therewith
First Claim
1. In combination with a surgical instrument dimensioned and adapted to be held and operated by one hand;
- said instrument having non-flexible handle, shank, and operating end portions rigidly connected to each other to provide tactile feedback therethrough to a user gripping and manipulating said handle portion when objects are engaged by said operating end portion;
an image-receiving assembly comprising an optical head, viewing means remote from said head, and an elongated flexible cable assembly extending therebetween;
mounting means rigidly but detachably securing said head externally to said operating end portion of said instrument;
said instrument and said viewing mean being independently movable in relation to each other to the extent permitted by said flexible cable assembly;
said cable assembly including first flexible transmitting means extending therethrough for transmitting energy to said head for illuminating a working area adjacent said operating end portion; and
second flexible transmitting means extending through said cable from said head to said viewing means for providing at said viewing means an image of the work area illuminated by said first transmitting means adjacent said operating end portion.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An endoscope assembly, and the surgical instrument associated with it, capable of providing superior visibility of an operative site while at the same time insuring the transmission of tactile information to the surgeon through the handle of the instrument. The endoscope assembly comprises an optical head equipped with a connector or connectors for externally and releasably attaching the head to a surgical instrument at the neck portion adjacent the operating end thereof, an eyepiece or other viewing unit remote from the head, and an elongated flexible cable extending between the two. In the embodiment disclosed, the cable contains a light-transmitting waveguide for illuminating the operative area and a fiberoptic bundle for transmitting a coherent image of the area so illuminated. The cable may also be provided with a passage for delivering irrigating fluid (liquid or gas) to the operative site.
228 Citations
25 Claims
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1. In combination with a surgical instrument dimensioned and adapted to be held and operated by one hand;
- said instrument having non-flexible handle, shank, and operating end portions rigidly connected to each other to provide tactile feedback therethrough to a user gripping and manipulating said handle portion when objects are engaged by said operating end portion;
an image-receiving assembly comprising an optical head, viewing means remote from said head, and an elongated flexible cable assembly extending therebetween;
mounting means rigidly but detachably securing said head externally to said operating end portion of said instrument;
said instrument and said viewing mean being independently movable in relation to each other to the extent permitted by said flexible cable assembly;
said cable assembly including first flexible transmitting means extending therethrough for transmitting energy to said head for illuminating a working area adjacent said operating end portion; and
second flexible transmitting means extending through said cable from said head to said viewing means for providing at said viewing means an image of the work area illuminated by said first transmitting means adjacent said operating end portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 19)
- said instrument having non-flexible handle, shank, and operating end portions rigidly connected to each other to provide tactile feedback therethrough to a user gripping and manipulating said handle portion when objects are engaged by said operating end portion;
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10. In combination with a surgical instrument dimensioned and adapted to be held and operated by one hand;
- said instrument having non-flexible handle, shank, and operating end portions rigidly connected to each other to provide tactile feedback therethrough to a user gripping and manipulating said handle portion when objects are engaged by said operating end portion;
a scope assembly comprising a generally rigid head portion, viewing means remote from said head portion, and an elongated flexible cable assembly extending between said head portion and said viewing means;
connecting means detachably but rigidly securing said head portion alongside said operating end portion of said instrument;
said instrument and viewing means being independently movable in relation to each other to the extent permitted by said flexible cable assembly;
said scope assembly including a fiberoptic waveguide extending through said cable assembly for transmitting light to said head portion for illuminating a work area adjacent the operating end portion of said instrument; and
a fiberoptic bundle of oriented fibers extending through said cable from said head portion to said viewing means for transmitting a coherent image of the work area illuminated by said waveguide; and
support means for supporting said viewing means for viewing the image of the illuminated work area by a user. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
- said instrument having non-flexible handle, shank, and operating end portions rigidly connected to each other to provide tactile feedback therethrough to a user gripping and manipulating said handle portion when objects are engaged by said operating end portion;
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20. An endoscopic attachment for use with a surgical instrument dimensioned and adapted to be held and operated by one hand;
- said instrument having non-flexible handle, shank, and operating end protions rigidly connected to each other to provide tactile feedback therethrough to a user gripping and manipulating said handle portion when objects are engaged by said operating end portion;
said attachment comprising viewing means, an optical head remote from said viewing means, and an elongated flexible cable assembly extending therebetween;
said cable assembly including first flexible transmitting means extending therethrough for transmitting light to said head for illuminating an operative site adjacent an operating end portion of a surgical instrument and a second flexible transmitting means extending through said cable from said head to said viewing means for transmitting an image of an operative site illuminated by said first transmitting means;
coupling means for operatively connecting a light source to said first transmitting means; and
spring clip means secured to said head for releasably, rigidly, and externally attaching said head to an operating end portion of a hand-held surgical instrument;
said head including a rigid outer side casing;
said spring clip means being secured to said casing and including a spring arm extending generally transversely with respect to said head for flexing movement in a generally transverse plane. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
- said instrument having non-flexible handle, shank, and operating end protions rigidly connected to each other to provide tactile feedback therethrough to a user gripping and manipulating said handle portion when objects are engaged by said operating end portion;
Specification