Patents Examined by Michael J Carey
  • Patent number: 11826023
    Abstract: An endoscope having an outer sheath, a handle, an optical window, and an optical module. The outer sheath includes a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end thereof. The handle is mounted at the proximal end of the outer sheath and includes an external data connector. The optical window is removably and sealingly mounted at the distal end of the outer sheath. The optical module is removably disposed within the distal end of the outer sheath and includes an integrated image sensor, an optical lens, and an optical module connector. The optical module connector is configured for selective disconnection from and reconnection to a mating line connector in electrical communication with the external data connector of the handle. The optical module and the outer sheath further include one or more alignment features configured to ensure correct radial and axial positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: ELEMENTS ENDOSCOPY, INC.
    Inventors: Brian H. Craig, Dwight Meglan
  • Patent number: 11812929
    Abstract: A plug connection between distal video and proximal cable units, including: a plug; and a connector inserted into the plug, the plug is a glass cast part arranged at a proximal end of the distal video unit; the connector is arranged at a distal end of the proximal cable unit; the plug is connected to a housing of the distal video unit, has electrical feedthroughs and is connected on a distal side to a first flexboard in the distal video unit and has a connector receptacle; the connector is enclosed in a housing formed to fit the connector receptacle; the connector has a plurality of electrical feedthroughs arranged in accordance with an arrangement of the electrical feedthroughs of the plug; and the electrical feedthroughs are connected proximally to a second flexboard having a planar solder pad structure having solder pads, to which signal and connecting cables are soldered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBH
    Inventors: Alrun Thuemen, Sebastian Jungbauer
  • Patent number: 11771315
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mobile colposcopy device for early diagnosis of cervical cancer, which includes an insertion unit which is inserted into the vagina of a woman, has a penetrating hole formed in one end coming into contact with the uterus, and is provided with a capturing path communicating with the penetrating hole, a capturing unit which is provided in the insertion unit so as to capture the cervix through the capturing path, and a lighting unit which is provided on the capturing path of the insertion unit and irradiates a lighting to the cervix through the penetrating hole. According to the present disclosure, the mobile colposcopy device for early diagnosis of cervical cancer can be simply and easily used so as to perform cervical cancer screening using a mobile colposcopy without environmental constraints including hospitals and allows women to early diagnose cervical cancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignees: Pukyong National University Industry—University Cooperation Foundation, KOSIN UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY—ACADEMY COOPERATION
    Inventors: Yeh-Chan Ahn, Daa Young Kwon, Yi Keun Kim, Chul Ho Oak, Hang Goo Yun, Sung Won Kim
  • Patent number: 11759095
    Abstract: An image capturing assembly is provided and includes a fixture, a lens assembly, an image sensing device and a circuit board. The fixture includes a fixture body and at least one first contact. An accommodating space is formed on the fixture body. The at least one first contact is disposed on the fixture body. The lens assembly is engaged with the fixture body. The image sensing device is disposed inside the accommodating space. The image sensing device includes at least one second contact electrically connected to the at least one first contact. The circuit board includes a board body and at least one third contact. The board body is perpendicular to and affixed with the fixture body. The at least one third contact is disposed on the board body and electrically connected to the at least one first contact. Besides, a related endoscope is further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: ALTEK BIOTECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Te-Yu Chung
  • Patent number: 11723637
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a specialized laparoscopic device and method used for attachment of instrument heads to thin shafts in the abdomen of a patient. The device allows quick attachment of oversized instrument heads minimizing the scaring and recovery time of the patient. A specialized instrument head having a tether and a grabbing device are used to perform this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: NEW WAVE ENDO-SURGICAL CORP.
    Inventors: Ricardo Alexander Gomez, Sandy Lawrence Heck, Eric Allen Lopez
  • Patent number: 11700996
    Abstract: Improved fluoresced imaging (FI) endoscope devices and systems are provided to enhance use of endoscopes with FI and visible light capabilities. An endoscope device is provided for endoscopy imaging in a white light and a fluoresced light mode. A chromatic adjustment assembly, typically implemented with prisms, compensates for a chromatic focal difference between the white light image and the fluoresced light image caused by the dispersive properties of the optical materials or optical design employed in the construction of the optical channel. The assembly is placed optically between the most proximal rod lens of the endoscope and the focusing optics, typically at an internal telecentric image space, to improve the chromatic correction. The prism assembly directs incoming light with different spectral content along separate paths which compensate for chromatic aberration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: KARL STORZ Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: George E. Duckett, III
  • Patent number: 11690506
    Abstract: Described herein is a video laryngoscope apparatus for inspection of an oral cavity region of a patient is disclosed. The video laryngoscope includes an apparatus body, a camera arm unit configured to receive and releasably attach thereto a disposable laryngoscope blade, a light source coupled to the camera arm unit, a communication unit, and a power source. The apparatus body includes a proximal end and a distal end, and the apparatus body is elongate and configured to be hand-held by an operator of the video laryngoscope. The camera arm unit includes a proximal end and a distal end with a camera, and the proximal end of the camera arm unit is connected to the distal end of the apparatus body utilizing an adjustable rotary position linkage member. The communication unit is connected via a linkage device to the proximal end of the apparatus body, and the power source is housed by the apparatus body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: PAVISUS AS
    Inventor: Daniel Stoffel
  • Patent number: 11678869
    Abstract: A biopsy support device that supports an inspection using a living tissue sampled by a sampling instrument which is used by being inserted into an endoscope having an imaging element, the biopsy support device including a processor configured to recognize that the living tissue has been sampled by the sampling instrument on the basis of captured image data obtained by capturing an image using the imaging element; and generate identification information corresponding to the living tissue in a case where the living tissue is recognized to have been sampled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11653819
    Abstract: An endoscope provides a connector substrate of an endoscope connector to be connected to a processor with a temperature sensor for directly measuring a temperature of the connector substrate, performs control to restrict a power supply (in other words, limit and stop a power supply) from an endoscope power supply circuit according to the measured temperature of the connector substrate (in other words, the endoscope connector), and thereby appropriately manages the temperature of the endoscope connector in the endoscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norihito Yamada, Madoka Saito, Shigetoshi Futami
  • Patent number: 11647902
    Abstract: An otoscope and method for visualizing compliance of the tympanic membrane in response to a pressure stimulus. The otoscope includes a handle, a housing, a laser assembly configured to selectively project a grid array of dots on a tympanic membrane of a patient, a camera configured to selectively capture activity of the tympanic membrane, a pressure transducer configured to selectively apply a stimulus to the tympanic membrane, a display pivotably coupled to the handle, and a controller. The display is configured to display the tympanic membrane in true color and a two-dimensional interpolated surface plot representing activity of the tympanic membrane in response to the stimulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Nicholas Steven Witham, Tarek Sami Marrouche, Allie Kachel, Bryan R. McRae
  • Patent number: 11596292
    Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system (10) employing an endoscope (20) and an endoscope guidance controller (30). In operation, endoscope (20) generates an endoscopic video (23) of an anatomical structure within an anatomical region. Endoscopic guidance controller (30), responsive to a registration between the endoscopic video (23) and a volume image (44) of the anatomical region, controls a user interaction (50) with a graphical user interface (31) including one or more interactive planar slices (32) of the volume image (44), and responsive to the user interaction (50) with the graphical user interface (31), endoscopic guidance controller (30) controls a positioning of the endoscope (20) relative to the anatomical structure derived from the interactive planar slices (32) of the volume image (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Aryeh Leib Reinstein, Aleksandra Popovic
  • Patent number: 11583177
    Abstract: A system for imaging and examination of a cervix, comprising a control module connectable with a changeable head configured to image the cervix and collect a tissue biopsy, the head selected from a group consisting of a digital colposcope module, a transvaginal optical probe module and an endo-cervical endoscope module. The system may additionally comprise light source(s) to illuminate cervix tissue; sensing device(s) to generate signal(s) from light and/or to acquire image(s) of a portion of a cervix; and processor(s) in communication with the sensing device(s). The system is configured to: (i) analyze the signal(s); (ii) detect the size of the cervix; (iii) determine parameters defining properties of the cervix; (iv) determine and distinguish normal tissue from abnormal tissue within the cervix; (v) determine the location of area(s) of abnormal tissue in the cervix; and (vi) generate a panoramic view of the cervix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: BIOP—MEDICAL LTD.
    Inventors: Ilan Landesman, Tania Kosoburd, Oz Seadia, Shiri Gordon
  • Patent number: 11583163
    Abstract: An endoscope system includes: a light source that is configured to emit primary light; plural illuminators that are configured to be irradiated with the primary light to emit plural respective illumination light generated based on the radiated primary light toward an observation object so that at least part of the plural illumination light overlap on the observation object; and an adjuster that is configured to desirably adjust a ratio of light quantities of the primary light that travels from the light source to the respective illuminators, so as to distribute the primary light to the respective illuminators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Motoki Tabata, Bakusui Daidoji
  • Patent number: 11576558
    Abstract: A valve for use in an endoscope may comprise a proximal valve stem member having a first lumen extending from a proximal opening at a proximalmost end of the proximal valve stem member to a distal opening at a distalmost end of the proximal valve stem member. A distal valve stem member may have a second lumen with a proximal opening at a proximalmost end of the distal valve stem member. The proximalmost end of distal valve stem member may be received within the distal opening of the first lumen. The distal valve stem may be movable relative to the proximal valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Scutti, Robb Morse Gavalis, Allyn Narcisse Jensrud, Larry Edward Stanton, Colby Harris
  • Patent number: 11571113
    Abstract: A medical valve may comprise a valve stem and an operation portion. The operation portion may include a stationary portion, a movable portion which is movable relative to the stationary portion and fixed relative to the valve stem, a seal disposed between the stationary portion and the movable portion, and a biasing member. Movement of the movable portion in a first direction may cause deformation of the biasing member, such that a restorative force of the biasing member urges movement of the movable portion in a second direction opposite the first direction. A frictional force between the seal and one of the stationary portion and the movable portion resists the movement of the movable portion in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Allyn Narcisse Jensrud, Larry Edward Stanton, Colby Harris
  • Patent number: 11562822
    Abstract: A device, system, and method that: acquires information that a sterilized endoscope, having reusable and non-reusable parts, is used; outputs an instruction for collecting the used endoscope from a medical institution; acquires information on the number of endoscopes scheduled for inspection, a predetermined number of endoscopes not scheduled for inspection, and the number of endoscopes in an endoscope inventory; outputs an instruction for delivering a non-used replaceable endoscope to the institution in response to the collection instruction; and outputs an instruction for delivering a non-used endoscope to the institution when equation (2) is not satisfied, equation (2) being: endoscope inventory quantity>number of endoscopes scheduled for inspection+predetermined number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayoshi Morishima, Keiji Ito, Kohei Iketani, Atsushi Watabe
  • Patent number: 11547281
    Abstract: A sheath for covering an endoscope includes a latch assembly, an elongate body extending distally from the latch assembly, and a sheath tip extending distally from the elongate body. The latch assembly includes a main housing and a guide housing, the guide housing movable relative to the main housing to increase a longitudinal length of the latch assembly. The sheath tip has a front face including first and second windows disposed within respective first and second openings defined in the front face. The first and second windows are configured to correspond with respective lighting and imaging windows of an endoscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Hongwen Yao, Zhentao Lu, Zhenhai Zhang, Yong Guo
  • Patent number: 11540707
    Abstract: An endoscope includes an image pickup module, and the image pickup module includes: an image pickup device an external electrode being disposed on a back surface of the image pickup device; a wiring element provided with a through-hole passing through a first main surface and a second main surface, a first electrode on the first main surface being bonded with the external electrode; a signal cable bonded with a second electrode on the second main surface of the wiring element; and a first resin that seals a first bump bonding the first electrode and the external electrode and a second bump bonding the second electrode and the signal cable, and fills the through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuro Suyama, Takatoshi Igarashi
  • Patent number: 11534051
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are safety devices that are positioned on the end of a fiberoptic cable, such as those used in surgical procedures, to prevent patients and other objects from the risk of burn from light or heat emitted from the end of the cable when not connected to an optical instrument. The disclosed safety devices can be added to the ends of existing cables and/or can be included at the end of cables during manufacture. In some embodiments, the safety device replaces an existing connector at the end of a cable, and in some embodiments the safety device is added in addition to a connector at the end of the cable. In some embodiments, a slit end cover is included over an open end of an adaptor that is mounted on a distal connector of a fiberoptic cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignees: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, UPMC
    Inventors: Steven Gerard Docimo, William W. Clark, Alexandra Marie Delazio, John A. Holmes, Benjamin T. Ristau
  • Patent number: 11534058
    Abstract: In some embodiments, systems, methods, and media for capsule-based multimode endoscopy are provided. In some embodiments, a probe for capsule-based multimode endoscopy is provided, the probe comprising: a rigid capsule; a flexible tether coupled to a proximal end of the capsule; a rotatable reflective surface disposed within the capsule; a static ball lens disposed within the capsule; a first optical fiber optically coupled to the ball lens, the first optical fiber passing through the flexible tether; a second optical fiber optically coupled to the ball lens, the second optical fiber passing through the flexible tether; a graded index fiber disposed between a distal end of the second optical fiber and the ball lens, the graded index fiber optically coupled to the second optical fiber and the ball lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Guillermo J. Tearney, Kanwarpal Singh