Transparent Endoscope Head Defining a Focal Length
AssigneeSarcos LC
InventorsStephen C. Jacobsen, Fraser M. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A catheter configured for imaging objects substantially in focus is described herein. An imaging device is disposed on the distal end of the catheter. The imaging device has an effective focal plane that is located in front of the imaging device. The catheter also includes a transparent focal instrument that has an outer periphery that is positioned at the effective focal plane of the imaging device, to enable objects in contact with the outer periphery of the transparent focal instrument to be imaged substantially in focus.
Claims20
A catheter configured for imaging objects substantially in focus, comprising:
- a) an imaging device disposed on a distal end of the catheter, the imaging device having an effective focal plane;
- b) a transparent focal instrument coupled to the catheter, the transparent focal instrument having an outer periphery that is positioned at the effective focal plane of the imaging device to enable objects in contact with the outer periphery of the transparent focal instrument to be imaged substantially in focus;
- and
- c) an open channel having a first orifice disposed about a side surface of the catheter in fluid communication with a second orifice on a distal end of the catheter.
The catheter of claim 8, wherein the transparent focal instrument is coupled to the GRIN lens.
A catheter configured for imaging objects substantially in focus, comprising:
- a) an imaging device disposed on a distal end of the catheter, the imaging device having an effective focal plane;
- b) a transparent focal instrument coupled to the catheter, the transparent focal instrument having first and second positions, wherein when disposed in the second position, the transparent focal device is positioned at the effective focal plane of the imaging device to enable a target object in contact with the outer periphery of the transparent focal instrument to be imaged substantially in focus;
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- c) a channel having a first orifice disposed about a side surface of the catheter and a second orifice disposed near a distal end of the catheter.
A method for imaging with a catheter, comprising:
- a) providing a catheter having a channel disposed therein and a transparent focal instrument, the transparent focal instrument comprising first and second positions wherein when the transparent focal instrument is disposed in the first position, the transparent focal instrument covers an opening of the channel and wherein when the transparent focal instrument is disposed in the second position, the transparent focal instrument does not cover the opening of the channel and has an outer periphery positioned at the effective focal plane of an imaging device;
- b) inserting the catheter into a cavity of a patient while the transparent focal instrument is disposed in the first position;
- c) after inserting the catheter into the cavity of the patient, disposing the transparent focal instrument in the second position thereby occluding the cavity of the patient with the transparent focal instrument and removing the transparent focal instrument from the opening of the channel;
- and
- d) imaging the target object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.