Patents Examined by John Leubecker
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Patent number: 7252634Abstract: A confocal probe unit is provided with a scanning type confocal probe, which includes at least one scanning mirror, and a transparent substrate on which the at least one scanning mirror is mounted. The transparent substrate is inserted in an optical path of the confocal probe such that a light beam proceeding along the optical path is deflected by the scanning mirror.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2003Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: PENTAX CorporationInventor: Rogerio Jun Mizumo
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Patent number: 7195588Abstract: An image pick-up unit inserted in the body picks up an image of the body, and transmits by radio the image to an extra-corporeal unit which is arranged outside the body. The image pick-up unit includes an image pick-up portion capturing an image, a data transmitting portion for transmitting the image obtained by the image pick-up portion to the extra-corporeal unit at a plurality of transmitting ratios, a characteristic amount detecting portion for detecting a predetermined amount of characteristics based on the image, and a determining portion for determining a valid image based on an output from the characteristic amount detecting portion. The data transmitting portion controls the data transmitting ratio in accordance with the determining result of the determining portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2004Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventors: Masatoshi Homan, Kaoru Kotouda, Motoo Azuma
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Patent number: 7186214Abstract: An anatomic space of the body, particularly the pericardial space, is accessed in a minimally invasive manner from a skin incision by an access instrument to facilitate visualization and introduction of devices or drugs or other materials, performance of medical and surgical procedures, and introducing and fixating a cardiac lead electrode to the heart. An elongated access instrument body preferentially bends in one direction and resists bending in a transverse direction, whereby the access instrument body distal end can be directed through a path around body structures to the anatomic site by manipulation of the access instrument body proximal end portion. A distal header formed at the access instrument body distal end extends outward of the access instrument body in the transverse direction and supports an inflatable balloon surrounding a working lumen exit port that is directed toward an anatomic surface when the balloon is inflated by inflation media introduced through an inflation lumen.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2004Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventor: Gregory O. Ness
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Patent number: 7160249Abstract: An endoscope image pickup unit is disclosed that captures magnified images of an object. An objective optical system of the image pickup unit includes, in order from the object side, a front lens group having positive refractive power and an aperture stop. Various conditions are satisfied so as to provide an observation scale factor in the range of about 200 to 2000 so that cellular details can be observed, as in a microscope, while keeping the objective optical system sufficiently compact for insertion within a patient. Also disclosed is a focus adjustment apparatus and method for the endoscope image pickup unit, and a focus range check apparatus and method for the endoscope image pickup unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2004Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventor: Naoki Hasegawa
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Patent number: 7160247Abstract: An endoscope is described in which the diameter of the image relay assembly is less than that of the objective lens assembly. An endoscope sheath is also described for sheathing the endoscope and housing or directing optical fibers for use in illuminating the endoscope view of view. An endoscope-sheath system is further described comprising the combination of the endoscope and the endoscope sheath.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2004Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Linvatec CorporationInventors: Thomas R. Deppmeier, Craig J. Speier, Josiah E. Verkaik, Robert R. Walls
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Patent number: 7153259Abstract: A capsule type endoscope includes an illumination device, an imaging device, and a transparent cover covering the illumination device and the imaging device. The imaging device has an objective optical system and an image sensor. When the objective optical system satisfies Condition (1) described below and a white cylinder with a reflectance of 90%, satisfying Condition (3) described below, is observed, illuminance of the imaging surface of the image sensor satisfies Condition (2) described below, in a state where a longitudinal center axis of a capsule coincides with the center axis of the white cylinder with a reflectance of 90%. ??50°??(1) T1×0.5?T2??(2) D=1.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2004Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventors: Hirohiko Matsuzawa, Takeshi Yokoi, Tatsuya Orihara, Mitsujiro Konno
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Patent number: 7144366Abstract: A capsule medical apparatus for medical actions such as examination and treatment in the body detects by a sensor or the like whether it is just being evacuated from the body or it has already been evacuated. Upon detecting the capsule medical apparatus is positioned in the large intestine or it has already been evacuated, the capsule medical apparatus notifies such information in association with the detection.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2004Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventors: Hironobu Takizawa, Takeshi Yokoi, Akira Kikuchi
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Patent number: 7134993Abstract: The present invention features a remote viewing device that is capable of improving its operation by removing slack in its control cables and/or by increasing the range of motion of its viewing head. In one embodiment, the method for improving the operation involves removing at least a portion of the slack in at least one control cable attached to a servo motor. The removal of at least a portion of the slack includes changing the position of a servo motor relative to a flexible tube termination block until a specified tension is encountered in at least one of the control cables. The method further includes determining first and second servo control signal values corresponding to no angular deflection and a specified deflection in a viewing head.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2004Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: GE Inspection Technologies, LPInventors: Raymond A. Lia, Joshua L. Scott
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Patent number: 7122001Abstract: An encapsulated endoscope system in accordance with the present invention comprises: an encapsulated endoscope that rotates to develop a thrust; a controller that moves the encapsulated endoscope in an intended direction of advancement; an imaging unit incorporated in the encapsulated endoscope; and an image processing unit that receives image data sent from the imaging unit, and produces an image, which results from rotation of the received image data, according to the rotational phase of the encapsulated endoscope.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2003Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventors: Akio Uchiyama, Hironobu Takizawa, Takeshi Yokoi, Hitoshi Mizuno
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Patent number: 7118529Abstract: A device, system and method may enable the obtaining of in vivo information other than or in addition to images from for example within body lumens or cavities, such as temperature, pressure, or pH from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, where the data is typically transmitted or otherwise sent via an optical means to a receiving system.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2003Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Given Imaging, Ltd.Inventors: Arkady Glukhovsky, Zvika Gilad, Semion Khait, Gavriel J. Iddan
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Patent number: 7115091Abstract: Reusable instruments, such as reusable medical instruments, and related systems and methods, are disclosed. In some embodiments, the reusable instrument can be an endoscope, which can be cleaned by sterilization. In certain embodiments, a method of sterilizing includes sterilizing the endoscope or portion thereof in a sterilization chamber while maintaining a pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the endoscope.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2003Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Optim, Inc.Inventors: Thomas V. Root, Robert J. Krupa
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Patent number: 7101334Abstract: An optical observation device for observing 3-D images of an endoscope is disclosed. The optical observation device includes: an image input means having a rod-shaped front part with a sufficiently small diameter for insertion within a living human being, the rod-shaped front part containing a front optical system for capturing images having parallax in a direction that includes a component in the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped front part; a means for detecting at least one of the parallax direction or parallax magnitude of the front optical system; an image conversion means for changing at least one of the parallax direction or parallax magnitude of images received from the image input means so as to form converted images; and a 3-D image observation means for enabling the 3-D observation of the converted images.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2002Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventor: Susumu Takahashi
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Patent number: 7081088Abstract: A method for automatic local path planning for a virtual endoscope comprises the steps of defining a sub volume around a current endoscope position in a lumen; performing a region growing inside the lumen, starting from the current endoscope position; calculating and clustering the intersection of the region with the faces of a cube circumscribing the sub volume; calculating approximated centerline paths from the current endoscope position to the center of each cluster formed in the preceding step; comparing each of the centerline paths with a current path exhibited by the endoscope; and selecting an optimal centerline path based on the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2004Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: Siemens Corporate Research, Inc.Inventor: Bernhard Geiger
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Patent number: 7074182Abstract: A videoendoscope comprising an inspection probe comprising an inspection tube and a distal endpiece secured to one end of the inspection tube and housing an imaging device; a video processor for processing the electrical signal delivered by the imaging device and for generating a video signal; a control handle comprising a control unit secured to the inspection tube to control the video processor and a display unit secured to a side face of the control unit and including a display screen connected to the video processor; and an umbilical cable having one end secured to the control unit and having its other end connected to a light source and to an electrical power supply.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2004Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: TokendoInventor: Jean Rovegno
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Patent number: 7074181Abstract: The present invention provides an image pick-up device and an endoscope in which a lens member and a solid-state image pick-up device are prevented from exposure to water vapor during autoclave sterilization, and in which the diameter of an insertion portion is narrow, a rigid tip end portion is short, and assembly is performed easily. The image pick-up device of the present invention comprises an image pick-up unit for capturing an optical image obtained from incident light entering an internal cavity of a frame, and outputting an image signal of the optical image, wiring extending from the image pick-up unit in an opposite direction to the direction in which the incident light enters, this wiring being capable of transmitting the image signal, and a substrate which is disposed in the internal cavity of a frame, has holes for engaging with the wiring, one surface of which is substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the frame, and which is formed of a member having a light-transmitting property.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2004Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventor: Yasuyuki Futatsugi
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Patent number: 7060027Abstract: Driving force of a bending motor is transmitted to a sprocket via a clutch mechanism portion. The operation of a switching operation lever switches the clutch mechanism portion to a disconnecting/restoring status. A bending control device includes a bending angle calculating portion which calculates information on a bending status based on an output signal of a potentiometer, a motor driving signal generating portion which generates a driving signal for bending a bending portion, a JS-motor driving signal generating portion which calculates a position for an instructing status of a stick portion based on the information on the bending status and generates the driving signal for moving the stick portion to the position, and a calibration instructing portion which receives a position signal from a status detecting switch and which sends an instruction for outputting to a JS motor, the driving signal generated by the JS-motor driving signal generating portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2003Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventors: Toshinari Maeda, Keiichi Arai, Takemitsu Honda, Seiichiro Kimoto, Takayasu Miyagi, Yuichi Ikeda, Toshimasa Kawai
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Patent number: 7033318Abstract: A photothermal actuator comprises an optical fiber bundle, a light inputting apparatus, and a thermal receiving element. The optical fiber bundle is inserted in a tube of a catheter etc. The light inputting apparatus inputs light into the optical fiber bundle. The thermal receiving element is provided on a part of an outer surface of the optical fiber bundle. The thermal receiving element is heated by the light so that the thermal receiving element and a part of the optical fiber bundle are stretched, whereby the optical fiber bundle and the tube are bent.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2003Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: PENTAX CorporationInventor: Kei Masunishi
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Patent number: 7029439Abstract: A medical diagnostic instrument includes a housing containing at least one battery and a light source, such as a lamp, for illuminating a medical target. A switch includes a movable member that selectively moves at least one of the battery and the lamp into and out of electrical connection with the other. The instrument is preferably fabricated from a diecast or an extrusion process wherein a thin plastic sleeve member having text and/or graphic materials can be shrink fitted onto an extruded handle.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2003Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.Inventors: Chris R. Roberts, Allan I. Krauter, Michael A. Pasik, John R. Strom, Peter J. Davis
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Patent number: 7008374Abstract: An imaging apparatus using a charge multiplying solid-sate imaging device for use with an endoscope system, etc., capable of providing an output signal with an improved S/N ratio by reducing the dark noise. The full well size of the CCD imaging device is reduced to 1/M of the number of electrons corresponding to a maximum amount of light which may be received by the individual pixel determined by the technical specifications of the system, and the signal charges are read out N times in a prescribed time period corresponding to a time for a single frame in a TV frame rate. The system satisfies the relation, nd (1?1/M)>nr2(N2?1), assuming that nd is the dark noise and nr is the readout noise contained in single reading from a reference solid-state imaging means having a full well size equivalent to the number of electrons described above.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2003Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kazuo Hakamata
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Patent number: 6945928Abstract: An electronic endoscope apparatus is provided that comprises an image-pickup device, an objective optical system, a compensation information storing memory, a mask data storing memory, and an electronic mask compensation processor. The objective optical system forms a subject image on an imaging surface of the image-pickup device. The compensation information storing memory stores compensation information which relates to a misalignment between an in-focus area produced by the objective optical system on the imaging surface, and an effective image sensing area of the image-pickup device. The mask data storing memory stores mask data for an electronic mask operation. The electronic mask compensation processor translates an electronic mask area in accordance with the compensation information.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2003Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: PENTAX CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Kohei Iketani