Video scope with discriminating cover

• US 6,599,238 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2000
• Issued: 07/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Uchida, Shinji, Yamakita, Hiroyuki, Ooshima, Kiyoko, Atsuta, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P.
• Application Number:
  US09/750,732
• Publication Number:
  US 20010000672A1
• Time in Patent Office: 943 Days
• Field of Search: 600/121, 600/122, 600/179, 600/118, 600/176, 600/129
• US Class Current: 600/121
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00108 characterised by self-sufficient functionality for stand-alone use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00142 with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00177 for 90 degrees side-viewing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0615 for radial illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/247 with means for viewing areas outside the direct line of sight, e.g. dentists' mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0431 Portable apparatus, e.g. comprising a handle or case

Abstract

A video scope has an entry section which can advance into an object; and a grip section which is disposed at the back of the entry section and to be held by an operator, wherein a light reflecting body, an objective lens, a solid-state image pickup device, a light source, a window of incidence for image pickup rays and illumination windows located in the vicinities of the window of incidence are disposed in the entry section, and wherein at least a power source is disposed in the grip section for driving the light source. A portable accommodation case has an accommodation space for accommodating the video scope; and a lid which has a thin display attached thereto, and can rotate freely and stop at an optional position, wherein the thin display is capable of displaying an image which is picked up by the video scope.

Claims

1. A video scope comprising:

a light source for emitting rays;

a photographing window allowing rays coming from an object to transmit therethrough;

a condenser means for condensing rays which are emitted from said object and have passed through said photographing window;

an image pickup device for converting rays condensed by said condenser means into electric signals;

an electric circuit for driving said image pickup device;

an entry section which accommodates at least said photographing window and said condenser means;

a grip section to be held by an operator of the video scope; and

a cover which covers said entry section, can be fitted and removed over and from said entry section, and which engages a switch when it is fitted over said entry section, wherein said electric circuit is driven only while said cover is fitted over said entry section.

2. A video scope according to claim 1,

wherein at least a portion of said cover which corresponds to said photographing window when said cover is fitted over said entry section is made of a substantially transparent resin.

3. A video scope according to claim 2,

wherein said electric circuit is driven only while said cover is fitted over said entry section.

4. A video scope comprising:

a light source for emitting rays;

a photographing window allowing rays coming from an object to transmit therethrough;

a condenser means for condensing rays which are emitted from said object and have passed through said photographing window;

an image pickup device for converting rays condensed by said condenser means into electric signals;

an electric circuit for driving said image pickup device;

an entry section which accommodates at least said photographing window and said condenser means;

a grip section to be held by an operator of the video scope; and

a cover which covers said entry section, can be fitted and removed over and from said entry section, and which engages a switch when it is fitted over said entry section, wherein said electric circuit is driven in conjunction with a fitting operation of said cover.

5. A video scope according to claim 4,

wherein said cover has a discriminating portion peculiar to said cover.

6. A video scope comprising:

a light source for emitting rays;

a photographing window allowing rays coming from an object to transmit therethrough;

a condenser means for condensing rays which are emitted from said object and have passed through said photographing window;

an image pickup device for converting rays condensed by said condenser means into electric signals;

an electric circuit for driving said image pickup device;

an entry section which accommodates at least said photographing window and said condenser means;

a grip section to be held by an operator of the video scope; and

a cover which covers said entry section, can be fitted and removed over and from said entry section, and has a discriminating portion which engages a switch, when the cover is fitted on the entry section.

7. A video scope comprising

an entry section which advances into an object;

a window disposed in a forward portion of the entry section for permitting light to enter the entry section;

a removable cover conformally fitted on the entry section;

the cover including a transparent portion covering the window and a user-identifiable portion for permitting the user to identify the cover;

wherein the cover is washable and reusable by the user;

an ON/OFF switch disposed rearwardly of the entry section; and

a protrusion formed on the cover engagingly mating with the switch, when the cover is fitted on the entry section.

8. The video scope of claim 7 wherein the cover is made of a resin material.

9. The video scope of claim 7 wherein the user-identifiable portion is made of a colored resin material.