Endoscope wherein electrical components are electrically isolated from patient-engaging components
First Claim
1. An endoscope having an insertion portion that comprises inner and outer tubes, with outer tube being coextensive with said inner tube and said inner tube housing an objective lens unit and electrical components including a solid state video imaging unit;
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3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An endoscope comprises inner and outer tubes, the inner metal tube containing electrical an objective unit components including a solid state video imaging unit. An electrically insulative sleeve is disposed around the inner tube for electrically isolating the inner tube and electrical components from the outer tube. In a preferred embodiment, an electrically insulative ring is disposed between a major portion of the inner tube and distal end portion of the inner tube to electrically isolate the inner tube distal end portion from the inner tube major portion and the electrical components. Thus, those endoscope components which are likely to contact a patient, i.e., the outer tube and the inner tube distal end portion, are electrically isolated from the inner tube and the electrical components therein, thereby preventing injurious electrical current flow to the patient.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An endoscope having an insertion portion that comprises inner and outer tubes, with outer tube being coextensive with said inner tube and said inner tube housing an objective lens unit and electrical components including a solid state video imaging unit;
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an electrically insulative sleeve surrounding said inner tube for electrically isolating said inner tube and said electrical components from said outer tube. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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- 2. An endoscope having an insertion portion that comprises inner and outer electrically conductive tubes, with said inner tube housing electrical components, said inner tube comprising first and second electrically conductive sections in end to end relation, and means for electrically isolating said first section from said second section.
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9. An endoscope comprising:
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an elongate electrically conductive inner tube; an objective lens unit and a solid state video imaging unit mounted within said inner tube; an electrically insulative sleeve surrounding and covering an outer surface of said inner tube; and an elongate electrically conductive outer tube disposed around said inner tube and electrically insulated from said inner tube by said sleeve, said outer tube being coextensive with said inner tube. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 23)
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15. An endoscope comprising:
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An elongated first inner tube section housing electrical components; a second inner tube section in alignment with said elongated first inner tube section and disposed proximate a distal end of said elongated first inner tube section; an electrically insulative sleeve surrounding said elongated first inner tube section along the entire length of said first inner tube section and also surrounding said second inner tube along a portion of the length thereof adjacent said first inner tube section; an electrically insulative fitting disposed between said distal end of said elongated first inner tube section and a proximal end of said second inner tube section, said fitting abutting an inner surface of said sleeve; and an outer tube surrounding said first and second inner tube sections, said sleeve and said fitting, whereby said outer tube is electrically isolated from said first and second inner tube sections and said electrical components. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. An endoscope characterized by an insertion portion that has a distal end and a proximal end and comprises inner and outer electrically conductive tubes with a gap between said tubes, said outer tube being coextensive with said inner tube;
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at least one objective unit and at least one solid state imaging device mounted within said inner tube, with said at least one objective unit in position to view an object located in front of said distal end of said insertion portion; a plurality of optical fibers disposed in said gap for use in conducting light to illuminate said region; and an electrically insulative sleeve surrounding said inner tube for electrically isolating said inner tube and said electrical components from said outer tube, said electrically-insulative sleeve being located between said inner tube and said optical fibers and extending for the full length of said inner tube. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification