Autoclavable endoscope
US6955644B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 6, 2003 |
| Grant date | Oct 18, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 13, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B1/121
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A rigid endoscope includes an outer housing subassembly that supports an optics subassembly. The outer body subassembly includes concentric tubes with optical fiber for providing object illumination. The optics subassembly includes a tubular sheath sealed at both ends. A compression spring is positioned between a proximal most relay lens element and a distal most eyepiece element. The spring exerts a distally acting force on the elements of an optical objective and relay lens system. It also produces a proximally directed force on optical elements in the eyepiece. This minimizes differential thermal expansion stresses during autoclaving operations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.