Miniature endoscope system
US8317689B1 · kind B1 · utility
68Cited by
128References
42Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 13, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 27, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 13, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B1/00126
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention relates to a small diameter endoscope in which a handle is removably attached to a probe. The probe includes a fiber optic illumination channel that is concentric about an imaging channel. The handle includes an imaging device that detects light from the imaging channel and a sterile barrier that can be extended over the handle for use. Relay optics couples the small diameter imaging channel to the imaging device in the handle. The probe has a mounting hub that connects the probe to the handle and also serves to optically couple the fiber optic illumination channel to a light source.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.