Micro-endoscopic system
US6561973B1 · kind B1 · utility
26Cited by
9References
19Claims
0Family size
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 25, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 13, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 21, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B1/07
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A micro-endoscopic system employs a pulsed xenon light source and image collection optics with a fine diameter optical probe for an endoscope. Very bright pulses of light emitted by a xenon flash tube increase the intensity of light incident on the light transmitting optics, allowing a reduction in size of the optical components, resulting in a corresponding reduction in the size of the optical probe. A segmented glass image guide directs the reflected light to a sensor array. Segmentation of the image guide avoids the stress related problems associated with fine diameter glass optical structures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.