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Surgical penetration instrument including an imaging element

  • US 5,591,192 A
  • Filed: 02/01/1995
  • Issued: 01/07/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/01/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An imaging element adapted for use with a surgical penetration instrument, said instrument having an elongated, generally cylindrical shaft having a distal end and a shaft diameter, said shaft having a lumen therethrough for receiving an endoscope to deliver light for illumination of a body cavity and to transmit an illuminated image from said body cavity through a camera lens of said endoscope, said imaging element attached at said shaft distal end;

  • wherein said imaging element is hollow and comprises a generally circular base adjacent said shaft distal end, said base having a base diameter substantially the same as said shaft diameter;

    an exterior region extending distally from said base and having a surface configuration shaped to enlarge an opening as said instrument is advanced into bodily tissue, at least a portion of said exterior region being transparent; and

    an annular interior region descending proximally from said base, said annular interior region having an annulus diameter less than said base diameter, said annular interior region descending interiorly into said lumen of said shaft distal end;

    wherein when said endoscope is received in said lumen of said shaft, said endoscope abuts said annular interior region of said imaging element, said light delivered from said endoscope for illumination of said body cavity is emitted directly into said hollow imaging element so as to avoid reflecting said light into said camera lens of said endoscope to lessen unwanted glare on said illuminated image.

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