Patent · US Expired

Video endoscopic microscope

US4877016A · kind A · utility

116Cited by
8References
20Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 29, 1988
Grant dateOct 31, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 29, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B1/07
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An endoscope is provided with an integral optical element which includes a lens system and an objective lens that is recessed approximately 15 mm from the distal end of the endoscope. An integral illuminating element includes a fiber optic bundle that terminates at the distal end of the endoscope and illuminates the region of the distal end. The lens system terminated in a viewing port that is laterally displaced from the proximal end of the endoscope and which connects to a high resolution video camera that can display a magnified image on a high resolution video monitor, thus obviating the need for an unimpaired visual path from the proximal to the distal end of the endoscope. A lumen can be provided adjacent the lens system which brings a ventilating and clearing gas over the objective lens to keep the lens clear. The magnified video image can also be supplied to printers and recorders.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.