Disposable camera

• US 5,576,781 A
• Filed: 05/16/1994
• Issued: 11/19/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Paul Deleeuw
• Original Assignee: Paul Deleeuw
• Inventors: Deleeuw, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Gray, David M.
• Application Number:
  US08/243,371
• Time in Patent Office: 918 Days
• Field of Search: 354/62, 354/64, 354/295, 354/286
• US Class Current: 396/6
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/00 Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers drapes specially adapted for instruments A61B46/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/36 Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 13/06 with lenses with or without reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/14 for taking photographs during medical operations
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/02 Bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/08 Waterproof bodies or housings
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2219/045 adapted for unloading the film in the processing laboratory, e.g. disposable, reusable or recyclable cameras

Abstract

A disposable and disinfected still frame camera for use in contamination sensitive areas includes an inner camera portion for securing still frame film, exposing frames of the film and for advancing the film. A camera housing is also provided for enclosing the inner camera portion. The invention also includes a fluid impervious casing which substantially encases the camera housing for protecting the camera and environment from contamination. The disposable camera may also include attachments for connecting the camera to optical medical devices, a measuring device for measuring the distance between the camera lens and the object being photographed, and sterilized or disinfected packaging.

Claims

1. A disposable, single-use type still frame camera for use in contamination sensitive applications and environments, comprising:

a disposable, single-use type inner camera portion means for securing still frame film, exposing frames of said film and advancing said film;

a disposable, single-use type camera housing which encloses said inner continuous camera portion means;

a continuous fluid impervious, sterilized, disinfected and flexible transparent plastic material encasing said camera housing for protecting said camera and the environment from contamination, said plastic material closely fit to substantially the entirety of said camera housing;

a view finder attached to said camera housing, said view finder extending substantially outwardly from said camera housing at a distance which allows substantial separation of the camera user from the camera housing, said view finder including a body portion and a viewing portion; and

a disposable view finder cover means for covering said body portion and view portion of said view finder and protecting said view portion and camera from contamination, said view finder cover means including tab means extending therefrom for assisting the release of said view finder cover means from said view finder.

2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein said casing means is disinfected.

3. The camera according to claim 1, wherein said inner camera portion means comprises an inner shell treated with a fungicide for controlling fungal growth.

4. The camera according to claim 1, wherein said view finder cover means comprises a substantially transparent cover having a mating surface for engaging said body portion.

5. The camera according to claim 1, wherein said inner camera portion means includes a lens and said camera further comprises adapter and conversion means for converting the optics of an optical instrument for compatibility with the lens of said inner camera portion means and for connecting said camera to said optical instrument.

6. The camera according to claim 5, wherein said optical instrument is an endoscope.

7. The camera according to claim 5, wherein said adapter and conversion means comprises a lens arrangement, said arrangement being designed to clearly transmit an image from the optics of said optical instrument to the lens of said camera.

8. The camera according to claim 7, wherein said adaptor and conversion means further comprises a body portion which encloses said lens arrangement, said body portion having clamp means for connection to said optical medical instrument.

9. The camera according to claim 8 wherein said body portion has rods extending therefrom for engaging said camera housing such that said lens arrangement is aligned with said camera lens, said camera housing including openings therein for receiving said rods.

10. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising first measuring means connected with said camera housing for measuring the distance from said camera to an object.

11. The camera according to claim 10, wherein said first measuring means comprises a spring loaded reel having an extendible and retractable measuring tape wound thereon.

12. The camera according to claim 10, further comprising second measuring means attached with said first measuring means for measuring the size of said object.

13. The camera according to claim 12, wherein said second measuring means comprises a cross-piece having distance measuring markings thereon.

14. The camera according to claim 13, wherein said first measuring means has a free end, said cross piece attached to said free end and substantially traversing said first measuring means.

15. The camera according to claim 1, further comprising a close-up lens attachment including means for connection to said camera housing and a lens designed to allow for focused exposure of an object from a close distance.

16. The camera according to claim 15, wherein said lens attachment further comprises a supplemental view finder lens which allows viewing by the photographer of said object being photographed at said close distance.

17. The camera according to claim 15, wherein said means for connection includes rods extending from said lens attachment and said camera housing includes openings therein for receiving said rods.