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US 11,311,174 B2Granted
Imaging scope with leak indicator, and related imaging system and method
AssigneeKarl Storz Endovision, Inc.
InventorVernon Hopkins
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An imaging scope includes an internal surface defining an internal cavity, a window permitting visual inspection of the internal cavity, a fluid in the internal cavity having a pressure different than ambient pressure, and a leak indicator transitionable between nonvisible and visible through the window when the pressure of the fluid changes toward ambient pressure.
Claims22
An imaging scope, comprising:
- an internal surface defining an internal cavity;
- a window permitting visual inspection of the internal cavity;
- a gas in the internal cavity having a pressure different than an ambient pressure of an environment surrounding the imaging scope;
- an indicator positioned within the internal cavity and transitionable between nonvisible and visible through the window when the pressure of the gas changes toward the ambient pressure;
- and
- a biaser transitionable between a first state and a second state when the pressure of the gas changes toward the ambient pressure;
- wherein the biaser moves relative to the window during transition of the indicator between nonvisible and visible.
4 more elements
An imaging scope, comprising:
- an internal surface defining an internal cavity;
- a window permitting visual inspection of the internal cavity;
- a fluid in the internal cavity having a pressure different than an ambient pressure of an environment surrounding the imaging scope;
- an indicator positioned within the internal cavity and transitionable between nonvisible and visible through the window when the pressure of the fluid changes toward the ambient pressure;
- and
- an indicator housing extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the first end defining an opening to the internal cavity, and the second end defined by a base adjustably positioned relative to the first end;
- wherein the indicator housing has an indicator housing axis extending between the first end and the second end thereof;
- and
- wherein the indicator is disposed within the indicator housing and is moveable along the indicator housing axis during transition of the indicator between nonvisible and visible.
6 more elements
An imaging system, comprising:
- an imaging scope configured to illuminate an object and capture light reflected from the object, the imaging scope including:
- an internal surface defining an internal cavity;
- a window permitting visual inspection of the internal cavity;
- a gas in the internal cavity having a pressure different than an ambient pressure of an environment surrounding the imaging scope;
- an indicator positioned within the internal cavity and transitionable between nonvisible and visible through the window when the pressure of the gas changes toward the ambient pressure;
- and
- a biaser transitionable between a first state and a second state when the pressure of the gas changes toward the ambient pressure;
- wherein at the biaser moves relative to the window during transition of the indicator between nonvisible and visible;
- a camera having a light sensor with a light-sensitive surface configured to receive the captured light from the imaging scope, and generate a digital image representative of the captured light.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.