Portable remote visual inspection system and a case and a peripheral carriage case insert for transporting and storing a remote visual inspection system

• US 6,066,089 A
• Filed: 08/08/1997
• Issued: 05/23/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd. (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd. (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Hoag, Joel, Lorenz, Peter, Tanoue, Hiroshi, Leo, Joseph K., McGarry, Eugene, Costello, James G., Perry, Gordon Randall
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P.
• Application Number:
  US08/907,588
• Time in Patent Office: 1,019 Days
• Field of Search: 600/102, 600/178, 348/65, 348/68, 348/72, 348/73, 348/838, 348/836, 348/839, 312/7.2, 312/290, 312/223.5, 312/328, 242/396.5, 242/396.6, 242/400, 242/407, 206/363, 206/438
• US Class Current: 600/102
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00048 Constructional features of the display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00108 characterised by self-sufficient functionality for stand-alone use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/005 Flexible endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0431 Portable apparatus, e.g. comprising a handle or case

Abstract

A device, having a case body and case lid, for use with a remote visual inspection system. The case body is adapted to accommodate a light source for providing light to the remote visual inspection system. The case lid is adapted to cover the case body, and to accommodate a video display monitor for displaying an image captured by the remote visual inspection system.

Claims

1. A portable remote visual inspection system comprising:

a) a remote visual inspection system including an endoscope; and

b) a case, the case including

i) a first section accommodating a light source for providing light to the remote visual inspection system, and

ii) a second section, coupled with the first section, and accommodating the endoscope, wherein the second section includes a drum, the drum being rotatable with respect to the case and holding a flexible insertion tube of the remote visual inspection system.

2. A portable reel for holding an insertion tube of a remote visual inspection system, the portable reel comprising:

a) a case body defining a cavity;

b) a reel for holding the insertion tube, the reel being rotatably coupled with the case body such that, at any given time, a first portion of the reel is located within the cavity defined by the case body and a second portion of the reel extends outside of the cavity defined by the case body; and

c) a lid adapted for covering the case body and the reel.

3. The portable reel of claim 2 wherein the lid is pivotably coupled with the case body.

4. The portable reel of claim 3 wherein, when the lid is shut so as to cover the case body, the lid prevents the reel from rotating with respect to the case body.

5. The portable reel of claim 2 wherein, when the lid is shut so as to cover the case body, the lid prevents the reel from rotating with respect to the case body.

6. The portable reel of claim 2 wherein the case body includes

i) a front wall,

ii) a back wall,

iii) a left side wall arranged between the front and back walls, and

iv) a right side wall arranged between the front and back walls,

wherein the front, back, left side, and right side walls define an upper end of the case body and a lower end of the case body, the lower end of the case body being closed by a bottom surface,

wherein the back wall is taller than the front wall such that the left and right walls are tapered, and

wherein the reel is rotatably coupled with the front wall.

7. The portable reel of claim 6 wherein the lid includes

i) a back wall, pivotably coupled with the back wall of the case body,

ii) front wall,

iii) a left side wall arranged between the front and back walls of the lid, and

iv) a right side wall arranged between the front and back walls of the lid,

wherein the front, back, left side, and right side walls of the lid define an upper end of the lid and a lower end of the lid, the upper end of the lid being closed by a top surface, and

wherein the front wall of the lid is taller than the back wall of the lid such that the left and right walls of the lid are tapered.

8. A device for transporting and storing a remote visual inspection system, the device comprising:

a) a case body, the case body configured to accommodate a light source and an insertion tube, wherein the case body includes

i) a main body section configured to accommodate the light source, and

ii) a hinged body section, pivotably coupled with the main body section, and configured to accommodate the insertion tube; and

b) a lid, pivotably couplable with the case body and configured to accommodate a video display monitor.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the hinged body section includes a reel, rotatably coupled with an inside surface of the hinged body section, the reel configured to accommodate the insertion tube.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein the main body section includes

i) a back wall,

ii) a left side wall adjacent to the back wall,

iii) a right side wall adjacent to the back wall,

iv) a floor adjacent to the back, left side, and right side walls, and

v) an insert, the insert having an outer surface shaped to fit within the back wall, the left side wall, the right side wall, and the floor, and having a first inside surface configured to accommodate the light source, and

wherein the hinged body section includes

i) a front wall,

ii) a left side wall adjacent to the front wall,

iii) a right side wall adjacent to the front wall,

iv) a floor adjacent to the front, left side, and right side walls of the hinged body section, and

v) a reel, the reel rotatably coupled with the front wall of the hinged body section and adapted to accommodate the insertion tube.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the insert includes at least one indent to accommodate at least one of (i) an auxiliary video connector, (ii) light source connectors, and (iii) a camera control unit connector.

12. The device of claim 10 wherein the insert is shaped such that, when a light source is accommodated by the insert, connection ports and controls of the light source are visible and accessible.

13. The device of claim 10 wherein the floor of the main body section is pivotably coupled with the floor of the hinged body section.

14. The device of claim 10 wherein the lid includes

i) a front wall,

ii) a back wall,

iii) a left side wall arranged between the front and back walls of the lid,

iv) a right side wall arranged between the front and back walls of the lid,

v) a top surface, closing a top edge of the front, back, left side, and right side walls of the lid, and

vi) an insert, the insert of the lid having an outer surface shaped to fit within a cavity defined by the front wall, the back wall, the right wall, the left wall, and the top surface of the lid, and having an inner surface shaped to accommodate the video display monitor.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein at least one of the insert of the lid and the insert of the main body section is a foam insert.

16. The device of claim 14 wherein the device has:

i) a first state in which

(A) the hinged body section is closed against the main body section such that the left wall of the hinged body section abuts the left wall of the main body section and the right wall of the hinged body section abuts the right wall of the main body section, and

(B) the lid is closed against the case body such that the left wall of the lid abuts the left walls of the main body section and the hinged body section, the right wall of the lid abuts the right walls of the main body section and the hinged body section, and the front wall of the lid abuts the front wall of the hinged body section; and

ii) a second state in which

(A) the hinged body section is closed against the main body section such that the left wall of the hinge body section abuts the left wall of the main body section and the right wall of the hinged body section abuts the right wall of the main body section, and

(B) the lid is opened from the case body such that the left wall of the lid is separated from the left walls of the main body section and the hinged body section, the right wall of the lid is separated from the right walls of the main body section and the hinged body section, and the front wall of the lid is separated from the front wall of the hinged body section.

17. The device of claim 14 wherein the device has:

i) a first state in which

(A) the hinged body section is closed against the main body section such that the left wall of the hinged body section abuts the left wall of the main body section and the right wall of the hinged body section abuts the right wall of the main body section, and

(B) the lid is closed against the case body such that the left wall of the lid abuts the left walls of the main body section and the hinged body section, the right wall of the lid abuts the right walls of the main body section and the hinged body section, and the front wall of the lid abuts the front wall of the hinged body section;

ii) a second state in which

(A) the hinged body section is closed against the main body section such that the left wall of the hinged body section abuts the left wall of the main body section and the right wall of the hinged body section abuts the right wall of the main body section, and

(B) the lid is opened from the case body such that the left wall of the lid is separated from the left walls of the main body section and the hinged body section, the right wall of the lid is separated from the right walls of the main body section and the hinged body section, and the front wall of the lid is separated from the front wall of the hinged body section; and

iii) a third state in which

(A) the hinged body section is opened from the main body section such that the left wall of the hinged body section is separated from the left wall of the main body section and the right wall of the hinged body section is separated from the right wall of the main body section, and

(B) the lid is opened from the case body such that the left wall of the lid is separated from the left walls of the main body section and the hinged body section, the right wall of the lid is separated from the right walls of the main body section and the hinged body section, and the front wall of the lid is separated from the front wall of the hinged body section.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein, when the case is in its first state, the insert of the lid is compressed by the reel of the hinged body section.

19. The device of claim 17 wherein, when the case is in its first state, the insert of the lid is compressed by the reel of the hinged body section and the insert of the main body section is compressed by the reel of the hinged body section, and

wherein, when the case is in its second state, the insert of the main body section is compressed by the reel of the hinged body section.

20. A device for transporting and storing a remote visual inspection system, the device comprising:

a) a case body, the case body configured to accommodate a light source and an insertion tube;

b) a lid, pivotably couplable with the case body and configured to accommodate a video display monitor; and

(c) a removable drum for accommodating an insertion tube of a remote visual inspection system.

21. The device of claim 20 wherein the removable drum includes a front plate, a rear plate, and an annular element arranged between the front and rear plates of the removable drum.

22. The device of claim 21 wherein the annular element is compressible foam.

23. The device of claim 21 wherein a slot is defined in the annular element.

24. A peripheral carriage comprising

a) a front plate;

b) a rear plate;

c) a bottom plate arranged between the front and rear plates;

d) a removable drum for accommodating an insertion tube of a remote visual inspection system, the removable drum being rotatably coupled with one of (a) the front plate and (b) the rear plate; and

(e) a video display screen which is coupled with one of (a) the front plate or (b) the rear plate and which may be positioned with respect to the one of the front plate and the rear plate.

25. The device of claim 24 further comprising a screen positioning assembly arranged between the video display screen and the one of the front plate and the rear plate.

26. The device of claim 25 wherein the screen positioning assembly includes

(i) a lower arm having a first end pivotally coupled with the removable case body insert and a second end, and

(ii) an upper arm having a first end pivotally coupled with the second end of the lower arm and a second end pivotally coupled with the video display screen.

27. A device for transporting and storing a remote visual inspection system, the device comprising:

a) a case body, the case body configured to accommodate a light source and an insertion tube; and

b) a lid, pivotably couplable with the case body and configured to removably accommodate, within the lid, a video display monitor, wherein the lid has;

1) a front wall;

2) a back wall;

3) a left side wall arranged between the front and back walls;

4) a right side wall arranged between the front and side walls;

5) a top surface, closing a top edge of the front, back, left side and right side walls; and

6) an insert, the insert having an outer surface shaped to fit within a cavity defined by the front wall, the back wall, the right wall, the left wall, and the top surface, and having an inner surface shaped to accommodate the video display monitor.

28. A device for transporting and storing a remote visual inspection system, the device comprising:

a) a case body, the case body configured to accommodate a light source and an insertion tube;

b) a lid, pivotably couplable with the case body and configured to accommodate, within the lid, a video display monitor; and

c) a removable case body insert for accommodating peripheral devices, wherein the removable case body insert has a connector holder.

29. A device for transporting and storing a remote visual inspection system, the device comprising:

a) a case body, the case body configured to accommodate a light source and an insertion tube;

b) a lid, pivotably couplable with the case body and configured to accommodate, within the lid, a video display monitor; and

c) a removable case body insert for accommodating peripheral devices, wherein the removable case body insert has a front plate, a rear plate, and a bottom plate arranged between the front plate and the rear plate.

30. The device of claim 29 wherein at least one of the front plate and rear plate of the removable case body insert has a handle.

31. The device of claim 29 wherein the front plate of the removable case body insert includes a rearwardly extending ledge, and

wherein an inside surface of a front section of the lid includes a lip which abuts the ledge of the front plate of the removable case body insert when the lid is closed upon the case body.

32. The device of claim 29 wherein the removable case body insert further includes a reel for accommodating an insertion tube, the reel being rotateably coupled with the rear plate of the removable case body insert.

33. The device of claim 32 wherein the removable case body insert further includes a holster for accommodating an endoscope body.