Direct reading endoscopic measuring instrument and method
OwnerPaul K. Littleinventor
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Abstract
The invention relates to a direct reading endoscopic measuring instrument and, more specifically, to a manually operated measuring instrument that is placed in close proximity to an internal anatomical feature and a related method for operation of the measuring instrument. The direct reading endoscopic measuring instrument includes a distal reticule that is passed through an endoscope in a folded position. When extended past the distal end of the endoscope proximate to an anatomical structure to be measured, a remote actuator unfolds the reticule along an axis perpendicular to the endoscope. Graduations on the reticule can be observed to directly measure the size of the anatomical structure.
Claims14
A direct reading endoscopic measuring instrument in an endoscopic system, the endoscopic system operable to view an internal anatomical structure, the system including an endoscope with a plurality of lumen and a distal end inserted into an anatomical structure, an endoscopic camera, the camera operable to view the interior of the anatomical structure, the direct reading endoscopic measuring instrument comprising:
- an actuator;
- an actuator wire;
- a selectively foldable distal reticule, the actuator wire connecting the actuator to the distal reticule, the actuator operable to selectively fold and unfold the distal reticule via the actuator wire, the reticule further comprising four body segments including an upper ruler, a lower ruler, an upper backing and a lower backing, the upper backing being parallel with the upper ruler and the lower backing being parallel with the lower ruler when the reticule is in a folded state, the upper backing being parallel with the lower backing and the upper ruler being parallel with the lower ruler when the reticule is in an unfolded state wherein each of the four body segments has a semicircular cross section;
- the distal reticule being movable through an endoscopic lumen in the folded state, the reticule being substantially aligned with the axis of the endoscope when in the folded state;
- and
- the distal reticule moveable to a position beyond the distal end of the endoscope, the distal reticule manually operable to unfold along an axis perpendicular to the axis of an endoscope when the reticule is in the unfolded state.
A direct reading endoscopic measuring instrument comprising:
- an actuator;
- an actuator wire;
- a selectively foldable distal reticule, the reticule mechanically connected to the actuator via the actuator wire, the distal reticule providing a cap and a plurality of body segments, the actuator wire anchored to the cap;
- and
- wherein the reticule includes a folded state wherein the reticule is generally elongated and is substantially aligned with the actuator wire and an unfolded state wherein the reticule is perpendicular to the actuator wire, the actuator operable to unfold the plurality of body segments to the unfolded state;
- and
- the body segments comprising a first pair of body segments and a second pair of body segments, each body segment in the first pair of body segments and the second pair of body segments having a semicircular cross section;
- each body segment in the first pair and each body segment in the second pair being parallel to each other and the actuator wire when the reticule is in the folded state, each segment in the first pair and each segment in the second pair being parallel to each other and perpendicular to the actuator wire in the unfolded state.
The method of operating a direct reading endoscopic measuring instrument, the method comprising:
- inserting an endoscope into a patient, the endoscope providing a tool channel and an endoscopic camera;
- moving the distal end of the endoscope to a position near an anatomical structure to be observed;
- providing a direct reading endoscopic measuring instrument providing an actuator, an actuator wire, and a distal reticule with evenly spaced graduations, the reticule comprising a first pair and a second pair of body segments;
- each body segment in the first pair of body segments and the second pair of body segments having a semicircular cross section
- folding the reticule so that the body segments of the first pair of body segments are parallel to each other, the body segments of the second pair of body segments are parallel to each other, and the body segments of the first pair of body segments are aligned with the body segments of the second pair of body segments;
- introducing the direct reading endoscopic measuring instrument into the endoscopic tool channel;
- maneuvering the distal reticule to a position beyond the distal end of the endoscope;
- unfolding the distal reticule through manipulation of the actuator, the step of unfolding causing the body segments of the first pair of body segments to be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axis of the actuator wire and the body segments of the second pair of body segments to be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axis of the actuator wire;
- viewing the graduations on the unfolded reticule in order to directly read the size of the anatomical structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.