System and method for deposition and removal of an optical element on an endoscope objective
AssigneeNovadaq Technologies Inc.
InventorsJohn Fengler, John Senger, Gary Jenne
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An applicator suitable for converting a white-light endoscope into an endoscope for combined white-light/fluorescence imaging is disclosed. The applicator facilitates attachment of an optical element, for example an optical filter, to a distal optical port of an endoscope. The applicator engages with alignment feature on the endoscope's distal end and releasably supports the optical element in an opening that is aligned with the optical port. The optical element is released in a proximal direction by pressing down on an actuator.
Claims18
An applicator for attaching an optical element to an optical port disposed on a distal end of an endoscope, the applicator having a proximal side and an opposing distal side, the applicator comprising:
- a base having an opening and adapted to support the optical element in the opening,
- the optical element releasably disposed within the opening;
- one or more alignment members extending from the proximal side of the base, and
- an actuatable element disposed on the distal side of the base and adapted to transmit a force to the optical element, wherein
- the optical element is released in a proximal direction by actuating the actuatable element, and
- a first major surface of the optical element is non-adhesive and a second major surface of the optical element facing the optical port is adhesive.
An applicator adapted to engage with a distal end of an endoscope having a registration feature and an optical port, the applicator comprising:
- a base having at least one alignment member that is configured to engage with the registration feature of the endoscope's distal end,
- an optical element releasably disposed in or on an opening of the base and in alignment with the optical port in the endoscope's distal end when the at least one alignment member engages with the registration feature of the endoscope's distal end, a first major surface of the optical element is non-adhesive and a second major surface of the optical element facing the optical port is adhesive, and
- an actuator disposed on or in the base and configured to release the optical element from the base and to urge the optical element in a proximal direction under an external force applied to the actuator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.