Sapphire protective covering for medical endoscope
US5377669A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 2, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jan 3, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 2, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B23/2423
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention relates to a sapphire protective covering for the distal end of endoscopes, which distal end is outfitted with an optical system and glass fibers serving to illuminate the viewing field. The sapphire protective covering substantially contains an optical tube holding the optical lens mounting, an inner tube receiving the optical tube and an outer tube enclosing the optical tube and inner tube as well as the glass fibers. The sapphire protective covering is constructed in two parts, a first part covering the optical system and a second part covering at least the light exit area of the glass fibers, and both parts are separated from one another optically at their contacting surfaces. The second part is constructed as a planar disk of determined thickness with a recess corresponding to the dimensioning of the first part. The first part can be constructed as a negative lens.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.