Miniature endoscope with imaging fiber system
AssigneeVisionScope, Inc.
InventorsPaul Remijan, James E. McDonald
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An endoscope has a fiber optic waveguide that transmits an image from a distal end to a proximal end, the waveguide having an outer diameter of less than 3 mm. A lens system is positioned at the distal end of the fiber optic waveguide. An imaging device is optically coupled to the proximal end of fiber optic waveguide. A disposable sheath extends about the fiber optic waveguide to provide a sterile barrier, and in a preferred embodiment the sheath includes an illumination channel. In a preferred embodiment, the lens system has a first lens element, a second lens element and an aperture stop.
Claims18
An endoscope comprising:
- a fiber optic waveguide that transmits an image from a distal end to a proximal end, the waveguide having an outer diameter of less than 3 mm;
- a lens positioned at the distal end of the fiber optic waveguide;
- an imaging device optically coupled to the proximal end of the fiber optic waveguide;
- and
- a sheath extending about the fiber optic waveguide, the sheath including an illumination channel.
An endoscope comprising:
- a fiber optic waveguide that transmits an image, the waveguide having a diameter of less than 2 millimeters;
- an optical system coupled to a distal end of the waveguide;
- a lens system optically coupled to a proximal end of the waveguide;
- an imaging device that receives an image from the fiber optic waveguide;
- and
- a disposable sheath extending over the optical waveguide.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.