Endoscope having disposable illumination and camera module
First Claim
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1. A single-use, disposable illumination and camera module for an endoscope comprising:
- a cable configured for insertion in a lumen of a body, the cable having a proximal end configured to be removably connected to endoscope circuitry and a distal region;
an annular light diffuser disposed on the distal region of the cable, the annular light diffuser having a proximal end, a distal end, a length of 6.0 mm or less, and a diameter of 5.0 mm or less, the distal end having a curved cross-section, the annular light diffuser comprising an optically transparent material;
a camera having an image sensor and a lens having a field of view, the image sensor disposed concentrically within the annular light diffuser; and
at least one light emitting diode optically coupled to the proximal end of the annular light diffuser,wherein light emitted by the light emitting diode is projected through the curved-cross section of the distal end of the annular light diffuser to provide substantially uniform illumination within the field of view of the lens when disposed and activated within the lumen of the body.
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Abstract
An endoscope having a single-use disposable illumination and camera module is provided in which an imaging element is disposed within an annular tube of optically transparent material having proximal and distal ends, wherein the proximal end is configured to engage a plurality of LEDS and the distal end has a cross-section in the form of an arc of a circle or ellipse, so that the annular tube serves as a light mixer and diffuser, providing uniform illumination within the field of view of the imaging element. Methods of analyzing and displaying the output of the endoscope also are provided.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A single-use, disposable illumination and camera module for an endoscope comprising:
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a cable configured for insertion in a lumen of a body, the cable having a proximal end configured to be removably connected to endoscope circuitry and a distal region; an annular light diffuser disposed on the distal region of the cable, the annular light diffuser having a proximal end, a distal end, a length of 6.0 mm or less, and a diameter of 5.0 mm or less, the distal end having a curved cross-section, the annular light diffuser comprising an optically transparent material; a camera having an image sensor and a lens having a field of view, the image sensor disposed concentrically within the annular light diffuser; and at least one light emitting diode optically coupled to the proximal end of the annular light diffuser, wherein light emitted by the light emitting diode is projected through the curved-cross section of the distal end of the annular light diffuser to provide substantially uniform illumination within the field of view of the lens when disposed and activated within the lumen of the body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for imaging an inner surface of a lumen in a body, comprising:
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a single-use, disposable capsule housing that is sized to readily pass through the lumen, the single-use, disposable capsule housing having a camera having an image detector and a lens, an optically transparent annular light diffuser having a proximal end, a distal end, a length of 6.0 mm or less, and a diameter of 5.0 mm or less, and a light source coupled to the proximal end of the annular light diffuser, wherein light emitted by the light source is projected through the distal end of the annular light diffuser having a curvature to provide substantially uniform illumination within a field of view of the lens when disposed within and activated in the lumen of the body, and wherein the image detector is disposed concentrically within the annular light diffuser; and a flexible tether detachably connected to the single-use, disposable capsule housing, the flexible tether configured to extend proximally through a lumen to enable a force to be applied to the single-use, disposable capsule housing to control a movement of the single-use, disposable capsule housing within the lumen, and to permit retraction of the single-use, disposable capsule housing from the lumen. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification