Viewing method and apparatus particularly useful for viewing the interior of the large intestine
First Claim
1. A method of viewing the interior surfaces of a cavity in an object comprising:
- introducing into said cavity an optical viewing device including a housing containing an image transducer for converting optical images into electrical signals;
manipulating the object to direct the optical viewing device by its own weight to scan the surfaces of the cavity interior to be viewed; and
reconverting said electrical signals to optical images, wherein said cavity is filled with a liquid before introducing said optical viewing device therein.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An optical viewing device includes a housing of a size and shape for introduction into the large intestine of a subject and for movement therein in either direction, and an image transducer located within the housing for converting optical images into electrical signals. Various embodiments are described in which the housing is of a size and shape for movement by its own weight in either direction in the intestine, or in which the housing includes an electric motor driving propelling means for propelling the housing through the intestine, or in which the housing is carried at one end of a rod of a length such that a user may grasp the opposite end and manipulate the housing to scan the interior surface of the intestine.
432 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A method of viewing the interior surfaces of a cavity in an object comprising:
- introducing into said cavity an optical viewing device including a housing containing an image transducer for converting optical images into electrical signals;
manipulating the object to direct the optical viewing device by its own weight to scan the surfaces of the cavity interior to be viewed; and
reconverting said electrical signals to optical images, wherein said cavity is filled with a liquid before introducing said optical viewing device therein. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- introducing into said cavity an optical viewing device including a housing containing an image transducer for converting optical images into electrical signals;
-
7. A method of visually inspecting the interior surface of a body cavity, particularly the large intestine, of a subject comprising:
- introducing into the subject'"'"'s large intestine, via the anus, an optical viewing device including a housing containing an artificial light source for illuminating the surface to be inspected, an image transducer for converting optical images into electrical signals, and a focusing lens for focusing the optical images onto the image transducer;
moving the optical viewing device to scan the surface to be inspected for obtaining an optical image thereof;
converting the optical image into electrical signals; and
reconverting said electrical signals of the image transducer to optical images, wherein a liquid is introduced into said large intestine before introducing said optical viewing device. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- introducing into the subject'"'"'s large intestine, via the anus, an optical viewing device including a housing containing an artificial light source for illuminating the surface to be inspected, an image transducer for converting optical images into electrical signals, and a focusing lens for focusing the optical images onto the image transducer;
-
13. An optical viewing device, comprising:
a self-propelled housing of a size and shape for introduction into the large intestine of a subject and for movement therein in either direction;
an image transducer located within said housing for converting optical images into electrical signals when a liquid is introduced into said large intestine before introducing said optical viewing device.- View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
Specification