# US 12,178,394 B2 · Endoscope head comprising a housing element made from transparent material

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- Number: US 12,178,394 B2
- Document ID: US12178394B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/282,576
- Filed: 2019-10-24
- Published: 2021-11-04
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2018-10-26
- Assignees: Hoya Corporation
- Applicants: Hoya Corporation
- Inventors: Anh Minh Do
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12178394B2

## CPC

- A61B 1/00135: {Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion}
- A61B 1/00096: {Optical elements}
- A61B 1/00137: {End pieces at either end of the endoscope, e.g. caps, seals or forceps plugs}
- A61B 1/051: {Details of CCD assembly}
- A61B 1/0607: {for annular illumination}
- A61B 1/0615: {for radial illumination}
- A61B 1/0625: {for multiple fixed illumination angles}
- A61B 1/0676: {at distal tip of an endoscope}
- A61B 1/0684: {using light emitting diodes [LED]}
- A61B 1/07: using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
- G02B 23/2453: {of the proximal end}
- G02B 23/2461: {Illumination}
- G02B 23/2484: {Arrangements in relation to a camera or imaging device (processing or control of video signals generated by an endoscope H04N23/60, H04N23/70)}
- A61B 1/0011: {Manufacturing of endoscope parts}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

An endoscope head and endoscope including such endoscope head includes a camera, a housing element made from transparent material which surrounds the camera at least laterally and at least in portions and extends to the distal end of the endoscope head, and including at least one illumination unit which is arranged laterally from the camera and/or proximally from the camera.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An endoscope head comprising
a camera having a plurality of lenses;
a sleeve surrounding and distally protruding from the plurality of camera lenses;
a transparent housing which surrounds the camera at least laterally and extends to a distal end of the endoscope head;
at least one light emitter disposed laterally from the camera and/or proximally from to the camera sleeve, and further entirely disposed in an upper half of the transparent housing; and
a channel that is entirely disposed in a lower half of the transparent housing, wherein:
the at least one light emitter is positioned so that it emits light through the housing in one of a distal direction or a radial direction, and
the camera is entirely disposed in the upper half of the transparent housing.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The endoscope head according to claim 1, wherein
the at least one light emitter is disposed directly behind the camera when viewed from distal side of the endoscope head.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The endoscope head according to claim 1, wherein
the at least one light emitter is disposed radially on a side of the camera.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The endoscope head according to claim 1, wherein
the at least one light emitter is spaced apart from an outer periphery of the housing element.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The endoscope head according to claim 1, wherein
a light reflector is disposed in the endoscope head proximally from the at least one light emitter such that it reflects light from the at least one light emitter in the distal direction.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The endoscope head according to claim 1, wherein
the camera is surrounded by the sleeve so that-when viewed in the lateral direction—the sleeve is arranged between the camera and the housing, the sleeve shielding and retaining the camera, and the camera being aligned in the distal direction.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The endoscope head according to claim 6, wherein
the housing fills a space between the sleeve and the outer periphery of the endoscope head.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The endoscope head according to claim 7, wherein
channels are incorporated in the sleeve.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The endoscope head according to claim 1, wherein
the housing is made from transparent plastic material or glass.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The endoscope head according to claim 1, wherein
at least one light forming element is formed integrally at a predetermined portion on the housing.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The endoscope head according to claim 10, wherein
the light forming element of the housing is configured such that a portion of the housing is lens-shaped.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The endoscope head according to claim 10, wherein
the light forming element of the housing is arranged adjacent to the at least one light emitter.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The endoscope head according to claim 1, wherein
the housing includes a portion that covers the camera on a distal side.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

An endoscope comprising an endoscope head according to claim 1.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The endoscope head according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light emitter is disposed outside the sleeve.