Portable imaging system employing a miniature endoscope
OwnerThomas Gill, James McDonaldinventors
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Abstract
A cart or man-portable system and method for performing endoscopic procedures is provided. A portable display device, such as a laptop computer, is coupled to a handle comprising a miniature camera and fiber optic illumination subsystem. A sterile disposable portion is fitted over the illumination subsystem and inserted into a target area on a patient. Images of the target area are conveyed from the camera to the display device while an endoscopic procedure is performed, thus facilitating real-time diagnosis during the procedure.
Claims70
A fiber optic probe for viewing within a mammalian body comprising:
- a handle having an image device, an optical coupler and a connector;
- and
- a disposable sheath that encloses a fiber optic device, the sheath being connected to the handle with the connector and having a diameter of less than 3 mm.
A method of performing body imaging comprising:
- providing a handle having an imaging device;
- attaching the handle to a disposable sheath, the sheath enclosing a fiber optic imaging device;
- inserting the sheath into the patient;
- and
- viewing a site within the patient without insertion of a fluid at the site.
A fiber optic probe for viewing within a mammalian body comprising:
- a handle having an imaging device, an optical coupler that optically couples a fiber optic imaging channel to the imaging device, a fiber optic illumination channel, and a connector;
- and
- a disposable sheath that encloses the fiber optic imaging channel, the sheath being connected to the handle with the connector and having a diameter of less than 3 mm the sheath further comprising a distal window.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.