Sterile connector and video camera cover for sterile endoscope

• US 5,498,230 A
• Filed: 10/03/1994
• Issued: 03/12/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edwin L. Adair
• Original Assignee: Edwin L. Adair
• Inventors: Adair, Edwin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P.
• Application Number:
  US08/317,199
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 600/122-124, 600/121, 600/112
• US Class Current: 600/112
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00126 optical, e.g. for light supply cables
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00128 mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 46/10 specially adapted for instruments, e.g. microscopes

Abstract

A sterile connector and video camera cover is provided including a connector assembly for connecting a sterile endoscope to an unsterile surgical camera and a light fiber cable. The camera cover is extendable over the camera, its trailing cables and the light fiber cable. The connector assembly includes a coupling and a light fiber connection. The coupling includes a transverse window providing a sterile barrier and an optically clear path for light to pass through. The light source connection is mounted on the connector assembly enabling a light fiber cable to be optically coupled with the fiber optics of an endoscope. The coupling and the light source connector have a common exterior surface and are housed within the connector assembly. An adapter is provided enabling connection of the connector assembly with endoscopes having either threaded connections or compression-type fittings. A slot is provided on the connector assembly to engage a ball detent of the camera to ensure the camera remains rigidly fixed during use. A sterile disposable wand is attachable to the end of the connector assembly receiving the endoscope. This wand aides in connection of the camera to the coupling and is removed so that the endoscope can be attached to the coupling.

Claims

1. An apparatus for enclosing an unsterile, miniature video camera and its trailing cables and a light fiber cable in a sterile cover and for connecting the camera and the light fiber cable to a sterile endoscope having a separable light guide fitting, said apparatus comprising:

a connector assembly for attachment of the camera to the endoscope and for attachment of the light fiber cable to the light guide fitting, said connector assembly including;

a generally cylindrical coupling having a first end for receiving the camera and a second end for receiving the sterile endoscope;

a transparent window positionable between said first and second ends of said coupling for providing a sterile and optically clear barrier between the camera and endoscope;

means for aligning the camera within said first end of said coupling in a fixed position; and

light fiber connecting means mounted to said coupling, said connecting means having a first end for receiving the light fiber cable, and a second end for receiving the light guide fitting of the sterile endoscope; and

a flexible sterile cover attachable to said connector assembly and extendable over the camera, the trailing camera cables and the light fiber cable.

2. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

means in said first end of said coupling for rigidly stabilizing said camera within said cylindrical housing.

3. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said light fiber connecting means includes:

a connector tube having first and send ends; and

a threaded portion positionable between said first and second ends of said connector tube.

4. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

a sterile disposable wand attachable to said second end of said coupling, said wand stabilizing said apparatus when connecting the camera thereto.

5. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

an adaptor removably attachable to said second end of said coupling for interchangeable connection with the sterile endoscope.

6. A system for providing an image of an operating area during a surgical process, said system comprising:

a miniaturized unsterile video camera having a distal end for receiving light from the operating area;

a coupling means having first and second ends, said first end being attachable to said camera;

an endoscope attachable to said second end of said coupling means, said coupling means having an open internal diameter passing therethrough enabling optical communication of said endoscope with said camera, said endoscope having a separable light guide fitting in communication with light transmitting fibers disposed within said endoscope;

a light fiber connecting means on said coupling means, said light fiber connecting means having first and second ends, and providing a connection between a light fiber cable and said light transmitting fibers of said endoscope; and

a transverse window positionable between said camera and said endoscope within said coupling means, said window providing a transparent and sterile barrier between said endoscope and said camera.

7. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 6, wherein said light fiber connecting means includes:

a connector tube having first and second ends; and

a threaded portion positionable between the ends of said connector tube.

8. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 7, further including:

a sterile disposable wand attachable to said second end of said connector for providing support to said apparatus when connecting the camera thereto.

9. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 7, further including:

an adaptor removably attachable to said second end of said coupling for interchangeable connection with said sterile endoscope.

10. A method of connecting an unsterile camera to a sterile endoscope in an operating room and isolating the unsterile camera and its unsterile trailing cables from the sterile environment within the operating room, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a sterile coupling having a telescoping sterile cover and having a first end for receiving an unsterile camera and a second end for receiving a sterile endoscope and having a window forming a clear optical path and a barrier between the first and second ends;

supporting the coupling with a sterile wand attached to the second end of the coupling;

attaching the camera to the first end of the coupling;

pulling the sterile cover over the unsterile camera and trailing ends;

detaching the wand from the second end of the coupling; and

attaching the sterile endoscope to the second end of the coupling.

11. A method of connecting an unsterile surgical camera and an unsterile light providing fiber optic cable to a sterile endoscope having a separable light guide fitting, and isolating the unsterile camera, its unsterile trailing cables, and the unsterile light providing fiber optic cable from the sterile environment within an operating room, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a sterile coupling having a telescoping sterile cover and having a first end for receiving the unsterile camera and a second end for receiving the sterile endoscope and having a window forming a clear optical path and a barrier between the first and second ends;

providing a sterile light fiber connecting means integral with the sterile coupling, the connecting means having a first end for receiving the fiber optic cable and a second end for receiving the light guide fitting of the endoscope;

supporting the coupling and connecting means with a sterile wand attached to the second end of the coupling;

attaching the camera to the first end of the coupling;

attaching the fiber optic cable to the first end of the connecting means;

pulling the sterile cover over the unsterile camera, its trailing cables, and the fiber optic cable;

detaching the wand from the second end of the coupling; and

attaching the sterile endoscope to the second end of the coupling and the light guide fitting of the endoscope to the second end of the connecting means.