POLARIZING ENDOSCOPY SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20160143519A1
• Filed: 11/20/2014
• Published: 05/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GlobalMedia Group LLC
• Original Assignee: GlobalMedia Group LLC
• Inventors: Harris, Michael D.
• Granted Patent: US 10,201,268 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00142 with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00165 with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics A61B1/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0646 with illumination filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/227 for ears, i.e. otoscopes

Abstract

A medical device comprising an instrument head integral to the medical device having a distal portion, a light source internal to the instrument head coupled to a first channel, a first polarizing filter positioned within the first channel of the instrument head, a second polarizing filter positioned within the second channel for receiving reflected light from the light source, the reflected light received through a sensor axially aligned with the second channel is disclosed herein. The second channel may comprise a distal opening. The second channel may be configured to restrict light from entering the second channel other than by the distal opening. The first polarizing filter may be configured to polarize light from the light source.

Claims

1. A medical device comprising:

an instrument head integral to the medical device having a distal portion;

a light source internal to the instrument head coupled to a first channel;

a first polarizing filter positioned within the first channel of the instrument head, wherein the first polarizing filter is configured to polarize light from the light source; and

a second polarizing filter positioned within the second channel for receiving reflected light from the light source, the reflected light received through a sensor axially aligned with the second channel;

wherein the second channel comprises a distal opening, wherein the second channel is configured to restrict light from entering the second channel other than by the distal opening.

2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the first channel and the second channel are concentric.

3. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising a fiber-optic cable positioned within the first channel between the light source and the first polarizing filter.

4. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising an adjustment ring configured to adjust the axis of the second polarizing filter.

5. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the adjustment ring is configured for at least one of electronic or manual manipulation.

6. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the first polarizing filter is concentric to the second channel.

7. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the first polarizing filter and the second polarizing filter are linear polarizing filters.

8. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the second polarizing filter is rotatably adjustable relative to the first polarizing filter to alter the polarity of the received reflected light.

9. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the lens is at least one of a digital still camera lens or a digital video camera lens.

10. The medical device of claim 1, wherein a derm hood is removably coupled to the instrument head and configured to protect the distal portion from contact with foreign bodies.