Surgery – Endoscope – Having imaging and illumination means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-13
2002-02-12
Leubecker, John P. (Department: 3739)
Surgery
Endoscope
Having imaging and illumination means
C600S137000, C600S163000, C600S170000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06346076
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of French Patent Application No. 98 11826 filed on Sep. 18, 1998.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rigid rotary endoscope with a deflected distal sight, and proximal adjustment. The technical field of the invention relates to endoscopy devices.
2. Discussion of Background Information
The term endoscope designates a rigid probe which, when it is introduced into an unlit cavity, allows the user to observe the interior of the cavity. For this purpose, an endoscope inherently incorporates an optical device and a lighting device.
The distal end of the optical device of an endoscope is disposed to the rear of an optical lens port, which is accommodated in the distal end of the endoscope. The proximal end of the optical device, which corresponds to an ocular lens, allows the user to observe the image of the area which is covered by the distal optical lens port. The optical device is calculated such that the image observed by the user does not have any either one-way or two-way inversion, relative to reality. An adjustment control ring, which is incorporated in the handle of the endoscope generally makes it possible to adjust the clarity of the image observed, by displacing the ocular lens longitudinally along the optical axis.
The distal end of the lighting device of an endoscope corresponds to a lighting window which is disposed at the distal end of the endoscope, and the lighting axis of which is parallel to the axis of sight of the distal optical lens port. The proximal end of the lighting device corresponds to a lighting base, which is incorporated in the handle of the endoscope. The distal lighting window lights the area which is covered by the distal optical lens port, when the lighting base is connected, by way of a lighting table, to a light generator.
The term axial sight endoscope designates an endoscope in which the optical axis of the distal optical lens port is combined with the mechanical shaft of the endoscope. The optical device of an endoscope with axial sight comprises a distal lens, an optical image conveying system, which generally consists of a series of achromatic lenses and an ocular lens. The optical device is calculated such that the image which is transmitted by the ocular lens does not have any two-way inversion relative to reality. The lighting device of an endoscope with axial sight consists of a bundle of lighting fibres, the proximal end of which corresponds to the lighting base, and the distal end of which generally constitutes a lighting window, in the form of a ring, which is disposed around the distal optical lens port.
The term deflected sight endoscope designates an endoscope in which the optical axis of the distal optical lens port forms an angle relative to the mechanical shaft of the endoscope. The sight is prograded if this angle is less than 90°, lateral if it is equivalent to 90°, and retrograde if it is greater than 90°. In all cases, the optical device of a deflected sight endoscope comprises a distal deflection prism which is disposed between the distal optical lens port and the lens of the optical device.
If the distal prism is a total reflection deflection prism, which is characterized by two-way inversion of the image transmitted by the prism, the optical device of the endoscope comprises the distal prism, a lens, an optical image conveying system, which generally consists of a series of achromatic lenses and an ocular lens. The optical image conveying system is calculated such that the image provided by the ocular lens is not totally inverted relative to reality. If the distal prism is a partial reflection deflection prism, characterized by one-way inversion of the image conveyed by the prism, the optical device of the endoscope comprises the distal prism, a lens, an optical image conveying system which generally consists of a series of achromatic lenses, a rectifier prism characterized by one-way inversion of the image conveyed by the prism, and an ocular lens, the radial positioning of the rectifier prism and the structure of the optical image conveying system being calculated such that the image provided by the ocular lens is not partially inverted relative to reality.
The lighting device of a deflected sight endoscope consists of a bundle of glass fibres, the proximal end of which is integrated in the lighting base of the endoscope, and the distal end of which constitutes a lateral lighting window, which is disposed between the optical lens port, and the distal end of the endoscope.
The difficulties in use which are inherent in conventional deflected sight endoscopes, relate to the panoramic exploration of the interior of a cavity. In fact, an examination of this type requires the user to make the endoscope rotate by 360° around its mechanical shaft, an operation which is made difficult by the presence of the lighting cable which is integral with the lighting base of the endoscope.
These problems in use have given rise to development of rotary endoscopes with deflected distal sight, designated by the manufacturers by the terms “Rotascope” (HENKE-SASS WOLFE), “Rotary shell endoscope” (EFER), “Rotary light connector boroscope” (KARL STORZ), “Rotary light connector technoscope” (RICHARD WOLF), or “Orbital scanning bore scope” (OLYMPUS). All these endoscopes have an endoscopic probe with deflected distal sight, the proximal end of which rotates inside a handle, which is provided with a ring, which controls the rotation of the sensor, a lateral lighting cable connection base, an adjustment ring, and a proximal viewing eye piece cup. This type of architecture allows the user to make the endoscopic probe rotate around its axis, without changing the position of the lighting cable, which is connected to the lateral lighting base of the endoscope. The optical devices which are used in the various above-described rotary endoscope models can be classified in one of the three families described hereinafter.
The first family of rotary endoscopes, which was developed many years ago, in particular by the German company HENKE-SASS WOLF, relates to endoscopes, the optical device of which, which is incorporated in the rotary endoscopic probe, consists of a distal deflector prism with total reflection, a lens, and an optical image conveying system. The image which is provided by the proximal end of the rotary endoscopic probe is transmitted to an ocular lens, which is accommodated in a sliding manner in the handle of the endoscope, and the longitudinal displacement of which is controlled by an adjustment ring. The main disadvantage of the above-described optical device is derived from the use of total reflection prisms which are relatively extensive, and difficult to produce in a large range of dimensions and deflection angles.
The second family of rotary endoscopes, which was developed many years ago, in particular by the French company EFER, relates to endoscopes, the optical device of which, which is integrated in the rotary endoscopic probe, consists of a distal deflection prism with partial reflection, a lens, and an optical image conveying system, inside which there is inserted a rectifier prism. The image which is provided by the proximal end of the rotary endoscopic sensor is transmitted to an ocular lens, which is accommodated in a sliding manner in the handle of the endoscope, and the longitudinal displacement of which is controlled by an adjustment ring. The main disadvantage of the above-described solution is derived from the fact that the small dimensions of the correction prism which is integrated in the rotary endoscopic probe, limit the global brightness of the endoscope, and in practice prevent use of an optical device of this type in endoscopic probes which have a small diameter.
The third family of rotary endoscopes relates to endoscopes, the optical device of which is integrated in the rotary endoscopic probe, consists of a distal deflection prism with partial reflection, a l
Greenblum & Bernstein P.L.C.
Leubecker John P.
Tokendo ( Sarl)
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