Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a disposable endoscope are provided. For example, an endoscope is provided, including a tube having a proximal end and a distal end, a lumen having a proximal end and a distal end, the lumen surrounding an outer circumference of the tube, and a series of achromatic double lenses and singlet lenses within the tube from the distal end to the proximal end of the tube for conveying an image from the distal end of the tube to the proximal end of the tube. A housing is provided at the proximal end of the tube to provide a light path from the proximal end of the lumen to the distal end of the lumen from a polymer fiber optic located within the housing. A camera interface can be provided at an opposite end of the housing to receive the image from the distal end of the tube.

Abstract: An endoscope is configured to deliver therapeutically effective quantities and wavelengths of light to internal body tissues and cavities. One application for such an endoscope is the delivery of ultraviolet light (UV) to kill bacteria in body cavities or passages. An endoscope for therapeutic light delivery includes a light source for producing the desired light wavelengths, illumination optics transmissive of the therapeutic wavelength and configured to distribute the light in a therapeutically effective pattern, and a control mechanism that permits measured application of the therapeutic light. A light source compatible with the present invention is a xenon flash lamp. A xenon flash lamp emits short duration, high intensity, broad-spectrum bursts or pulses of light rich in UV and IR wavelengths.

Abstract: Light is introduced into the body through an endoscope illumination system, which is capable of passing both UV and visible radiation through an illumination pathway. An image can then be viewed in real time, by eye or with an electronic imaging camera and displayed on a video monitor used by the surgeon. Dyes which are activated by the UV radiation generate images that can be viewed by the endoscope in the visible spectrum and recorded by eye, electronic camera or other recording devices that can process visual images.

Abstract: A disposable illuminator endoscope includes a reusable endoscopic device and a disposable illuminator. The endoscopic device includes an optical image pathway, an operator assembly mounted to the optical image pathway proximal end, a fiber optic annulus surrounding a proximal end portion of the optical image pathway, and a light source optically coupled to the fiber optic annulus. The illuminator includes a light path, a sealing lens mounted to the light path distal end, and a protective sleeve having a distal end portion mounted to a proximal end portion of the light path. The disposable illuminator is mounted on the reusable endoscopic device by inserting the optical image pathway into the light path and placing the protective sleeve around the operator assembly, such that the distal end of the optical image pathway is disposed proximate to the sealing lens and the light path proximal end interfaces with fiber optic annulus to optically couple the disposable illuminator to the light source.

Abstract: The present invention in a preferred form uses pulse technology to produce wavelengths of light within the infrared spectrum in order to selectively view surgical sites normally occluded by conditions such as smoke, fluids, tissues, and/or haze and to direct laser energy to the surgical site. The invention allows selected wavelengths of infrared light to be directed for the purpose of illumination and imaging of a surgical site. The invention also allows laser energy to be directed to the imaged site. The imaged site can be displayed remotely on, for instance, a viewing screen.

Abstract: An endoscope system for providing imaging and intervention therapy comprises a control module, a light source in electrical communication with the control module, an intervention energy source in electrical communication with the control module, and a micro-endoscopic device. The micro-endoscopic device includes an optical probe, in optical communication with the light source and the intervention energy source, and a sensor array, in optical communication with the optical probe and in electrical communication with the control module. The light source is activated by the control module to emit a series of light pulses which are directed to a target area by the optical probe. Light reflected from the target area is collected by the optical probe, which conducts the reflected light to the sensor array. The sensor array transmits an image of the target area to the control module.

Abstract: A photochromic light control mirror comprises a photochromic substrate having a reflective film deposited at one side thereof. Alternatively, a mirror (i.e., a layer of glass having a reflective film deposited at one side thereof) is coated with a photochromic coating. An ultraviolet light source illuminates the photochromic material to change the reflectance of the mirror. The reflectance can be manually controlled whereby the intensity of the light source is controlled by adjusting the voltage driving the light source. Alternatively, the reflectance can be automatically controlled whereby the intensity of the light source is controlled by a photo detector which varies the voltage driving the light source in response to detected light.

Abstract: A ring lens assembly for an optical viewing device is presented. The ring lens assembly includes a ring shaped lens adapted for mounting at the end of an optical viewing device for viewing a remote location. The optical viewing device comprises an objective lens section, a relay lens section and an eye piece section. Further, the optical viewing device has an inner tube wherein the optics is housed and an outer tube. A plurality of optical fibers are disposed between the inner and outer tubes to provide illumination of the field of view. The ring shaped lens is a negative curvature lens or a prism-like lens for increasing the field of illumination. Alternatively, the lens is a flat lens and the optical fibers twisted to increase the field of illumination. Also, a cleaning tube is disposed between the inner and outer tubes. The cleaning tube terminates short of the end of the inner tube. An opening or channel is formed at the end of the inner tube adjacent to the cleaning tube.