Cannula with integrated camera and illumination
AssigneeEndoSphere Surgical, Inc.
InventorsArthur C. McKinley, Melvin B. Prenovitz, Philip E. McKinley, Jesse R. Plouffe
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A cannula assembly includes a tubular element forming a lumen, a deployable portion of the tubular element, and an electronic component mounted to the deployable portion of the tubular element. The tubular element has a proximal end and a distal end adapted to be inserted into a body cavity. The deployable portion of the tubular element is engaged near the distal end of the tubular element so as to transition between a closed position and an open position. The electronic component is at least partially disposed in the lumen when the deployable portion is in the closed position.
Claims23
A cannula assembly comprising:
- a proximal end and a distal end adapted to be inserted into a body cavity and defining a longitudinal axis;
- a tubular element forming a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end;
- a deployable portion of the assembly rotatable about a single axis transverse to the longitudinal axis, wherein the deployable portion is coupled to and movable with respect to the distal end so as to transition between a closed position and an open position;
- and
- an electronic component comprising an image transmission component mounted to the deployable portion of the assembly, wherein when the deployable portion is in the closed position, the electronic component:
- (i) at least partially blocks the lumen;
- (ii) is enclosed in an interior of the assembly so as to be protected from contact at least when the distal end of the assembly is inserted into the body cavity;
- and (iii) is adapted to provide a forward view;
- wherein the deployable portion comprises a wall portion of the tubular element and forms a pointed tip at the distal end of the tubular element when the deployable portion is in the closed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.