×

Method and apparatus for performing endoscopic surgical procedures

  • US 5,685,821 A
  • Filed: 05/06/1996
  • Issued: 11/11/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/19/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An apparatus for performing endoscopic surgical procedures within an internal body cavity, said apparatus comprising:

  • imaging means for viewing said internal body cavity in response to operating parameters which define at least one operational characteristic of said imaging means for controlling said viewing, said imaging means including camera means for generating optical signals of said internal body cavity;

    intra-articular means for controlling irrigation within said internal body cavity in response to said operating parameters which define at least one operational characteristic of said intra-articular means for controlling irrigation, said intra-articular means including pumping means for providing a flow of fluid into said internal body cavity and for withdrawing fluid from said internal body cavity;

    means for allowing electrical intercommunication between said imaging means and said intra-articular means;

    auto setup means for retrieving existing operating parameters and storing new operating parameters, said auto setup means associates different operating parameters with different users, wherein said operating parameters are associated with a user by means of a name identifying said user and recalled by said user by said name to set said operational characteristics of said imaging means and said intra-articular means in response to said operating parameters recalled by said user; and

    whereby the operation of said imaging means and said intra-articular means can be easily set to different operating parameters recalled by the different users.

View all claims
  • 5 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×