Arthroscopic surgical practice
First Claim
1. In combination with video monitor, camera control unit, light source and scope instrument for imaging surgical activity, a disposable camera device comprising:
- an imaging device including control circuitry;
a sterilized connector cable of pre-selected length connected to said control circuitry and extending to an external plug connector for connection to said camera control unit;
a sterilized camera housing means for containing said imaging device and control circuitry in sealed, fluid-tight disposition, said camera housing means consisting of a generally cylindrical housing bisected to define a first half-housing having sidewall, base portion and sleeve portion, and a second half-housing having sidewall, base portion and sleeve portion for mating engagement as said first and second half-housings are juxtaposed; and
sterile container means for enclosing and maintaining said camera housing means and connector cable in sterile storage until opening of the container means for exposure during usage.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus for providing a disposable, sterile cable connector and camera head for use in endoscopic surgery. A novel camera head design is disclosed in combination with the requisite connector cable, and such camera head/cable is adapted for initial sterility and sterile packaging for subsequent singular use and disposal after surgery. The camera head consists of a charge-coupled device type of image sensor assembled in a compact camera head of a type that can be completely sterilized, sealed and packaged for prolonged shelf storage and eventual disposable usage.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. In combination with video monitor, camera control unit, light source and scope instrument for imaging surgical activity, a disposable camera device comprising:
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an imaging device including control circuitry; a sterilized connector cable of pre-selected length connected to said control circuitry and extending to an external plug connector for connection to said camera control unit; a sterilized camera housing means for containing said imaging device and control circuitry in sealed, fluid-tight disposition, said camera housing means consisting of a generally cylindrical housing bisected to define a first half-housing having sidewall, base portion and sleeve portion, and a second half-housing having sidewall, base portion and sleeve portion for mating engagement as said first and second half-housings are juxtaposed; and sterile container means for enclosing and maintaining said camera housing means and connector cable in sterile storage until opening of the container means for exposure during usage.
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2. An article of manufacture comprising:
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an imaging device including electronic control circuitry; a sterilized connector cable having multiple conductor and being of pre-selected length having a plug connector on one end and having the other end connected to said control circuitry; a sterilized housing means retaining said imaging device and control circuitry in fluid-tight, sealed connection to said connector cable, said housing means consisting of a generally cylindrical housing bisected to define a first half-housing having side wall, base portion and sleeve portion, and a second half-housing having side wall, base portion and sleeve portion for mating engagement as said first and second half-housings are juxtaposed; and isolation means maintaining said imaging device, connector cable and housing means sterile until disposable usage. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification