Video endoscope with interchangeable endoscope heads
First Claim
1. A video endoscope comprising:
- at least one endoscope head having an objective element adapted to receive and transmit an image of an object to be examined and a light conductive element adapted to receive light from a light source and emit the light to illuminate the object to be examined,a video camera head including a video camera, the video camera head being adapted to be mounted to the endoscope head to allow relative rotation of the video camera head and the endoscope head with the video camera positioned to receive the image transmitted by the objective element, anda member adapted to receive light from a light source and emit the light mounted for rotation about the video camera head in position to communicate light to the light conductive element when the video camera head is mounted to the endoscope head.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A video endoscopes with interchangeable endoscope heads which enables the operative hook up or connection of any of a variety of interchangeable endoscope heads including optical or objective elements for receiving and transmitting images of an object or target to be examined with both a video camera head and a light source in a single, quick and easy step. When operatively connected, the present video endoscope allows the optional simple and easy rotation of the endoscope head and light source relative to the video camera head to achieve a desired endoscope head orientation, and rotation of just the video camera head alone to adjust the orientation of the image viewed through the device on a video monitor or other medium.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A video endoscope comprising:
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at least one endoscope head having an objective element adapted to receive and transmit an image of an object to be examined and a light conductive element adapted to receive light from a light source and emit the light to illuminate the object to be examined, a video camera head including a video camera, the video camera head being adapted to be mounted to the endoscope head to allow relative rotation of the video camera head and the endoscope head with the video camera positioned to receive the image transmitted by the objective element, and a member adapted to receive light from a light source and emit the light mounted for rotation about the video camera head in position to communicate light to the light conductive element when the video camera head is mounted to the endoscope head. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A video endoscope comprising:
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a video camera head including a video camera, at least one endoscope head having a rod lens for receiving and transmitting an image of an object to be examined and a light conductive element for receiving light from a light source and emitting the light for illuminating the object to be examined, the video camera head being detachable mountable to the endoscope head in position such that an image transmitted by the objective element of the endoscope head will be received by the video camera of the video camera head, a fiber optic cable having a receptor end for receiving light from a light source and an emitter end for emitting light from the light source, and the video camera head further including an annular shaped outer portion and a member mounted to the video camera head around the annular outer portion, the member being adapted for holding the fiber optic cable with the emitter end positioned to communicate light to the light conductive member of the endoscope head when the video camera head is mounted to the endoscope head and allowing rotation of the video camera head in the member and rotation of the member about the video camera head. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A video endoscope comprising:
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a video camera head including a video camera, at least one endoscope head having a rod lens including a distal rod end for receiving an image of an object to be examined and a rear aperture for transmitting the image, and a light conductive member including a receptor end portion adapted for receiving light and an emitter end portion in the distal rod end of the rod lens for emitting the light for illuminating the object to be examined, fittings on the video camera head and on the endoscope head cooperatively engageable for removably mounting the video camera head to the endoscope head such that an image transmitted through the aperture of the endoscope head will be received by the video camera of the video camera head, a fiber optic cable having a receptor end for receiving light from a light source and an emitter end for emitting light from the light source, and a member on the video camera head adapted for holding the fiber optic cable such that when the video camera head is mounted to the endoscope head the emitter end of the fiber optic cable will be positioned in communication with the light receptor end portion of the endoscope head, the fittings allowing relative rotation of the endoscope head and the video camera head when mounted thereto and the member for holding the fiber optic cable allowing relative rotation between the video camera head and the fiber optic cable.
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18. The video endoscope of claim 18 wherein the video camera includes a fitting for the operative connection of a video cable thereto.
Specification