Portable endoscope and method of use thereof

• US 9,757,150 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2011
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Treble Innovations, LLC
• Original Assignee: Treble Innovations, LLC
• Inventors: Alexander, Ian Joseph, Owens, Brian Dean
• Primary Examiner(s): Neal, Timothy J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fairchild, Aaron B
• Application Number:
  US13/303,117
• Publication Number:
  US 20130096374A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,121 Days
• Field of Search: 600109-112, 600160, 600172, 600175, 396 14, 396 17, 348 65, 348 73, 348 75, 348 77
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00009 of image signals during a use of endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00032 internally powered
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00034 rechargeable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00066 Proximal part of endoscope body, e.g. handles A61B1/0052 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00071 Insertion part of the endoscope body A61B1/0055 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00103 designed for single use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00105 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00108 characterised by self-sufficient functionality for stand-alone use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00154 using guiding arrangements for insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/044 for absorption imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0638 providing two or more wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/233 for the nose, i.e. nasoscopes , e.g. testing of patency of Eustachian tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12104 in an air passage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/24 for use in the oral cavity, larynx, bronchial passages or nose for medical inspection of cavities or tubes in the body A61B1/00; Tongue scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3423 Access ports, e.g. toroid shape introducers for instruments or hands access sites for liquids A61M39/0247
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/246 for cleaning of the nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3447 Linked multiple cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/345 for introduction into a natural body opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3937 : Visible markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/502 : Headgear, e.g. helmet, spectacles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 : with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/70 : Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/76 : Manipulators having means for providing feel, e.g. force or tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 : Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0488 : Mouthpieces; Means for guiding, securing or introducing the tubes guiding or introducing with laryngoscopes A61B1/267; holding devices on the body A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 : on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 : Nose

Abstract

One embodiment provides a portable endoscope. The portable endoscope includes a case configured to enclose at least electrical components of the portable endoscope. The electrical components include a camera configured to capture video content within a body of a patient. The components include one or more lights at least partially encompassing the camera. The one or more lights are adapted to illuminate internal portions of the body of the patient. The components include a transceiver in electrical communication with the camera. The transceiver is configured to receive the video content from the camera and wirelessly transmit the video content to a computing or communications device. The components include a battery configured to provide electrical energy to the camera, the one or more lights, and the transceiver. Each of the electrical components are interchangeable within the case.

Claims

1. A portable endoscope comprising:

a case including an outer peripheral wall and opposing distal and proximal portions with distal and proximal terminal ends, and a length of the case comprising the distance between the distal and proximal ends, wherein the outer wall is cylindrically shaped and constant diameter over the entire length, the diameter of the portable endoscope not exceeding the diameter of the outer peripheral wall, wherein;

the outer peripheral wall of the proximal portion includes a handle configured for an operator to grasp to insert the distal portion into a nostril of a patient and remove the distal portion from within the nostril of a patient, wherein the outer peripheral wall of the distal portion has a smaller outer circumference than an inner circumference of the nostril of the patient, the inner circumference of the nostril comprising the distance between the columella and ala and the nostril extending toward one or more of the sinuses, whereby the distal portion is inserted into the nostril of the patient between the columella and ala toward the one or more sinuses and removed by pulling the proximal portion away from the one or more sinuses out of the nostril of the patient and wherein movement of the proximal portion manipulates the position of the distal portion relative to the columella, ala and the one or more sinuses within the nostril of the patient during a medical procedure;

a lens enclosed by the outer peripheral wall of the case at the distal terminal end, the lens having one or more positions relative to the distal terminal end wherein the lens is rotated into the one or more positions [0096];

an interconnect disposed in the case toward the proximal terminal end, the proximal portion of the case being removably connected to the distal portion of the case at the interconnect, wherein the proximal portion of the case is removable from the distal portion of the case to insert and remove electrical components [0102];

a pair of opposing sidewalls parallel to one another and extending from the distal terminal end toward the proximal portion, wherein the sidewalls are generally perpendicular to the lens;

a flexible portion disposed in the proximal portion of the case, wherein the proximal portion of the case is unaligned with the distal portion of the case by angling the distal portion relative to the proximal portion by bending the flexible portion [0109];

a control switch disposed directly opposite the lens on the proximal terminal end and extending outward from the proximal terminal end, and configured to control one or more functions of the portable endoscope, wherein the control switch has on and off position, and wherein the length of the case remains unchanged during operation of the control switch from the on position to the off position;

the electrical components of the portable endoscope enclosed within the case, the electrical components comprising;

a camera disposed proximate the lens and configured to capture video content within the body of the patient;

one or more lights disposed proximate the lens between the camera and outer peripheral wall of the case, wherein the one or more lights at least partially encompass opposing sides of the camera, the one or more lights adapted to illuminate the body orifice of the patient; and

a transceiver in electrical communication with the camera, wherein the transceiver is configured to receive the video content from the camera and wirelessly transmit the video content to a computing or communications device;

wherein the lens, the one or more lights and the camera are enclosed within the pair of parallel, opposing sidewalls.

2. The portable endoscope of claim 1, wherein the case is configured to communicate the video content between the camera and the transceiver, and wherein the case is configured to communicate electrical energy from a battery to the camera, the one or more lights, and the transceiver.

3. The portable endoscope of claim 1, wherein the control switch is configured to turn on and off the portable endoscope.

4. The portable endoscope of claim 1, wherein at least one of the electrical components are utilized to communicate the video content to the transceiver for transmission and electrical energy to the transceiver, the one or more lights, and the camera.

5. The portable endoscope of claim 1, wherein the portable endoscope is mountable in a nasal guide for performing a medical procedure through a nose of the patient.

6. The portable endoscope of claim 1, further comprising:

a battery configured to provide electrical energy to the camera, the one or more lights, and the transceiver, wherein each of the electrical components are interchangeable within the case.