# US 10,441,134 B2 · Method and apparatus for hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,441,134 B2 - Document ID: US10441134B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/868,148 - Filed: 2018-01-11 - Published: 2018-05-17 - Granted: 2019-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2011-05-03 - Assignees: CooperSurgical, Inc. - Applicants: CooperSurgical, Inc. - Inventors: Xiaolong Ouyang; Paul D. Indman; Robert K. Deckman; Shih-Ping Wang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10441134B2 ## CPC - A61B 1/00066: {Proximal part of endoscope body, e.g. handles (A61B1/0052 takes precedence)} - A61B 1/00034: {rechargeable} - A61B 1/00042: {for mechanical operation} - A61B 1/0005: {combining images e.g. side-by-side, superimposed or tiled} - A61B 1/00052: {positioned at proximal end of the endoscope body} - A61B 1/00087: {Tools (A61B17/00234 takes precedence)} - A61B 1/00091: {Nozzles} - A61B 1/00094: {Suction openings} - A61B 1/00101: {the distal tip features being detachable} - A61B 1/00103: {designed for single use} - A61B 1/00105: {characterised by modular construction} - A61B 1/00124: {electrical, e.g. electrical plug-and-socket connection} - A61B 1/00128: {mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes} - A61B 1/00179: {for off-axis viewing} - A61B 1/015: Control of fluid supply or evacuation - A61B 1/018: for receiving instruments - A61B 1/045: Control thereof - A61B 1/05: characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion - A61B 1/053: {being detachable} - A61B 1/0607: {for annular illumination} - A61B 1/0676: {at distal tip of an endoscope} - A61B 1/0684: {using light emitting diodes [LED]} - A61B 1/126: {provided with means for cleaning in-use} - A61B 1/303: for the vagina, i.e. vaginoscopes - A61B 10/0275: {with sample notch, e.g. on the side of inner stylet} - A61B 10/0291: {for uterus (A61B10/0045 takes precedence)} - A61B 10/04: Endoscopic instruments, e.g. catheter-type instruments - A61B 1/00016: {using wireless means} - A61B 1/00108: {characterised by self-sufficient functionality for stand-alone use} - A61B 34/25: {User interfaces for surgical systems} - A61B 90/361: {Image-producing devices, e.g. surgical cameras} - A61B 2017/00221: {with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves} - A61B 2090/309: {using white LEDs} - A61B 2090/372: {Details of monitor hardware} - A61M 2210/1433: Uterus - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract Methods and devices are described for performing a combined hysteroscopy and endometrial sampling. Techniques for improving visual images include forward facing fluid ports for clearing tissue debris and LED positioning and design. Manufacturability is improved through separately formed tip and shaft pieces. User interface features are described including user-friendly handle-mounted buttons as well the use of an interactive integrated touch screen display. The handle and display can be mated to a docking station for storage and recharging batteries. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An endoscopic device, comprising: an elongate cannula configured for insertion through a cervix into a uterus; a camera assembly disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongate cannula for acquiring imagery of the uterus; a fluid port adjacent the distal end of the elongate cannula and through which fluid can flow to move debris away from the camera assembly to enhance the imagery acquired by the camera assembly; a handle disposed proximal to the elongate cannula; a display screen mounted to the handle; a memory configured to store instructions; and a processor configured to execute the instructions to perform operations comprising: processing the imagery acquired by the camera assembly to generate processed imagery of the uterus, and initiating presentation of one or more graphical user interfaces (GUIs) on the display screen, the one or more GUIs presenting the processed imagery of the uterus and one or more menus for collecting patient information via one or more soft buttons provided by the one or more menus, the one or more GUIs presenting the processed imagery of the uterus as a live video feed on the display screen automatically upon receipt of the patient information via the one or more soft buttons as the camera assembly continues to acquire additional imagery of the uterus, such that the live video feed provides live viewing of the uterus from the additional imagery, wherein the display screen is mounted to a proximal end of the handle such that the live video feed presented on the display screen automatically upon receipt of the patient information is viewable by a user of the endoscopic device while the endoscopic device is manipulated by the user. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The endoscopic device of claim 1, wherein the one or more GUIs present one or more input fields for receiving the patient information from a user to identify a patient. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The endoscopic device of claim 2, wherein the one or more GUIs present a message indicating that the patient information was previously received. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The endoscopic device of claim 2, wherein the one or more GUIs present an indication confirming receipt of the patient information. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The endoscopic device of claim 1, wherein the one or more GUIs present the processed imagery following user entry of the patient information. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The endoscopic device of claim 1, wherein the camera assembly is capable of scanning a machine-readable code for collecting the patient information to identify a patient such that the live video feed is presented on the display screen automatically upon receipt of the patient information via the machine-readable code. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The endoscopic device of claim 1, wherein the one or more soft buttons provide a list of one or more patient ID strings. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The endoscopic device of claim 7, wherein the live video feed is presented on the display screen automatically upon user selection of a patient ID string of the one or more patient ID strings. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The endoscopic device of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise initiating a replay of a portion of the live video feed. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The endoscopic device of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise initiating a capture of a portion for the live video feed. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The endoscopic device of claim 10, wherein the one or more GUIs present a timer indicating a duration of the portion of the live video feed. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The endoscopic device of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise initiating a capture of a photo from the live video feed. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The endoscopic device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise initiating a replay of the processed imagery. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The endoscopic device of claim 13, wherein the one or more GUIs further present one or more thumbnail images representing all of the photos and videos captured in association with a patient identified by the patient information. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The endoscopic device of claim 14, wherein the one or more thumbnail images respectively present file names. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The endoscopic device of claim 14, wherein at least one thumbnail image is associated with a video. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The endoscopic device of claim 14, wherein the one or more GUIs comprise a video playback screen that is presented upon user selection of a thumbnail image of the one or more thumbnail images that represents a video. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The endoscopic device of claim 14, wherein the one or more GUIs comprise a still image screen that is presented upon user selection of a thumbnail image of the one or more thumbnail images that represents a photo. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The endoscopic device of claim 1, wherein the one or more GUIs present a setup menu comprising a plurality of device setting options. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The endoscopic device of claim 19, wherein the plurality of device setting options comprises a system clock setting, a TV out formatting, and a memory card setting. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The endoscopic device of claim 1, wherein the one or more GUIs present a return option for returning from a currently displayed GUI to a previously displayed GUI. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The endoscopic device of claim 1, wherein the one or more GUIs comprises a home screen that provides a plurality of menu options, the plurality of menu options comprising a new patient option, a viewing option, and a replay option. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The endoscopic device of claim 1, wherein the display screen is a touchscreen, and the one or more GUIs present a plurality of user selectable button images. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The endoscopic device of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a plurality of tactile elements in electrical communication with the camera assembly and by which a user can control the camera assembly to acquire the imagery of the uterus. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The endoscopic device of claim 1, further comprising an electrical connector configured to relay electrical signals from the camera assembly to the display screen. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The endoscopic device of claim 25, further comprising an electrical cable that extends from the camera assembly to the electrical connector. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) The endoscopic device of claim 1, further comprising a single-use portion that includes the elongate cannula and the camera assembly. ### Claim 28 (depends on 1) The endoscopic device of claim 1, further comprising a multiple-use portion that includes the handle and the display screen. ### Claim 29 (depends on 1) The endoscopic device of claim 1, further comprising one or more of a light emitting diode, a light shield, a light guide, and a prism to facilitate image acquisition by the camera assembly. ### Claim 30 (depends on 1) The endoscopic device of claim 1, wherein the endoscopic device is a hand-held device.