Miniature endoscope with imaging fiber system
First Claim
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1. An endoscope comprising:
- a fiber optic waveguide that transmits an image from a distal end to a proximal end, the fiber optic waveguide extending through a rigid endoscope body having an outer diameter of less than 3 mm;
a lens positioned at the distal end of the fiber optic waveguide;
a handle attached to the endoscope body;
an imaging device within the handle and optically coupled to the proximal end of the fiber optic waveguide; and
a removable sheath extending about the endoscope body and including an illumination channel, the sheath being removably attached to the handle such that removal of the sheath from the handle leaves the endoscope body remaining attached to the handle.
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Abstract
An endoscope has a fiber optic waveguide that transmits an image from a distal end to a proximal end, the waveguide having an outer diameter of less than 3 mm. A lens system is positioned at the distal end of the fiber optic waveguide. An imaging device is optically coupled to the proximal end of fiber optic waveguide. A disposable sheath extends about the fiber optic waveguide to provide a sterile barrier, and in a preferred embodiment the sheath includes an illumination channel. In a preferred embodiment, the lens system has a first lens element, a second lens element and an aperture stop.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An endoscope comprising:
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a fiber optic waveguide that transmits an image from a distal end to a proximal end, the fiber optic waveguide extending through a rigid endoscope body having an outer diameter of less than 3 mm;
a lens positioned at the distal end of the fiber optic waveguide;
a handle attached to the endoscope body;
an imaging device within the handle and optically coupled to the proximal end of the fiber optic waveguide; and
a removable sheath extending about the endoscope body and including an illumination channel, the sheath being removably attached to the handle such that removal of the sheath from the handle leaves the endoscope body remaining attached to the handle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An endoscope comprising:
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a fiber optic waveguide that is attached to a handle and that transmits an image, the waveguide having a diameter of less than 2 millimeters for insertion into a body;
an optical system coupled to a distal end of the waveguide;
a lens system in the handle that is optically coupled to a proximal end of the waveguide;
an imaging device in the handle that receives an image from the fiber optic waveguide; and
a disposable sheath extending about the endoscope body, the sheath being removably attached to the handle such that removal of the sheath from the handle leaves the fiber optic waveguide attached to the handle. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An endoscope comprising:
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a fiber optic waveguide having at least 3000 imaging optical fibers that transmit an image, the waveguide extending through a rigid endoscope body having a diameter of less than 3 millimeters;
an optical system coupled to a distal end of the waveguide;
a handle attached to the endoscope body;
a lens system within the handle and optically coupled to a proximal end of the waveguide;
an imaging device within the handle that receives an image through the lens system from the fiber optic waveguide; and
a removable sheath extending about the endoscope body, the sheath being removably attached to the handle with a connector such that removal of the sheath from the handle leaves the endoscope body remaining attached to the handle. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification