Having Signal Wires Patents (Class 600/110)
  • Publication number: 20140257037
    Abstract: An endoscope connector device comprises: a first cable of an endoscope, including a light guide for supplying illumination light and an electric wire for obtaining video signals from an image pickup device; a light guide connector connected to the first cable; and a second cable of the endoscope, including the electric wire led out of the light guide connector, wherein the second cable is attached diagonally from the light guide connector at an angle ? within a range of 0°<?<90° from a first cable side of an axial direction of the first cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhiko HINO
  • Patent number: 8821382
    Abstract: An image pickup unit includes a board to which an image pickup device is electrically connected, the board is provided with a first terminal portion which includes a plurality of terminals and is used when a first endoscope is configured, and a second terminal portion which includes a plurality of terminals and is used when a second endoscope is configured, a folding portion is provided between the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion of the board, when the board is used as an image pickup unit of the second endoscope, the board is folded at the folding portion, and a signal transmission member is connected to the second terminal portion, and at least one of a terminal size and a space between terminals in the second terminal portion is set to be larger than at least one of a terminal size and a terminal space in the first terminal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Kagawa
  • Patent number: 8821381
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic endoscope which enables the image pickup apparatus of the electronic endoscope to be easily replaced with image pickup apparatuses of different specifications. The electronic endoscope according to the present invention is configured by including a distal end member which is provided at a distal end portion of an insertion portion of the electronic endoscope, and which includes an image pickup apparatus mounting hole as a housing portion for housing an image pickup apparatus; and an outer shape adjusting member as an adjusting member which is provided between the image pickup apparatus and the image pickup apparatus mounting hole, and which fixes the image pickup apparatus in the image pickup apparatus mounting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Akiba
  • Publication number: 20140243595
    Abstract: The electronic endoscope includes: an image pickup element that receives incident light; a circuit board on which the image pickup element and a drive circuit component for the image pickup element are mounted; a plurality of internal signal lines electrically connected to the circuit board; an airtight structure including an airtight container and an airtight terminal through which a plurality of terminal pins penetrate, the airtight structure airtightly sealing therein the image pickup element, the circuit board, and the plurality of internal signal lines; and a signal line cable including a plurality of signal lines, the signal line cable being placed outside of the airtight structure. The electronic endoscope further includes a pipe-shaped electrically conductive member that electrically connects each of the plurality of signal lines of the signal line cable and each of the plurality of terminal pins placed outside of the airtight structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Keisuke ENDO
  • Patent number: 8801255
    Abstract: An endoscope includes: a distal end rigid portion that configures a distal end portion of an insertion portion of an endoscope and has a through hole; an LED ceramic substrate including an LED light source mounted on a distal end side thereof, and arranged in the through hole so as to emit light from the through hole; an LED cable configured to be inserted in the insertion portion of the endoscope and to supply electric power to the LED light source; a ceramic cutout portion that configures a proximal end side of the LED ceramic substrate, and allows a conductive pattern for electrically connecting the LED light source and the LED cable to be exposed from inside the LED ceramic substrate and connected to the LED cable; and a reinforcement member having rigidity and fixed to the LED ceramic substrate and configured to cover the ceramic cutout portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Akira Kudo
  • Patent number: 8787743
    Abstract: A cable connection structure includes: a cable including a core wire and an external covering layer covering the core wire; a board on which an electrode is formed, the core wire being electrically connected to the electrode at an end face of the cable; and a compressing member attached to an outer periphery of the cable and radially compressing a part in a longitudinal direction of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Takanori Sekido
  • Patent number: 8764634
    Abstract: An endoscope system 100 is provided with an optical fiber cable 31 and an electrical cable 32a that transmit pixel information output by a light receiving part 28, an image processor 42 that generates an image based on the pixel information transmitted from the optical fiber cable 31 or the pixel information transmitted from the electrical cable 32a, and a control unit 55 that controls a display unit 71 to display the image generated by the image processor 42, determines whether or not a transmission abnormality is present in the optical fiber cable 31, and selects, as pixel information as a target to be processed by the image processor 42, one of the pixel information transmitted from the optical fiber cable 31 and the pixel information transmitted from the electrical cable 32a depending on a presence of the transmission abnormality in the optical fiber cable 31.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Hirohiko Matsuzawa, Wataru Ono, Hidenori Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20140142383
    Abstract: An endoscope, consisting of an image sensor which is configured to generate an image signal and a control circuit which is mounted on the endoscope. The control circuit is configured to drive the image sensor based on a control signal from a processor. The endoscope includes a connector which is connected to the image sensor and which is configured to detachably connect to the control circuit. In addition, the connector includes a memory storing calibration data with respect to the image sensor. The control circuit adjusts the image signal, based on the calibration data stored in the memory, to form a calibrated image signal, and transmits the calibrated image signal to the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Gyrus ACMI, Inc. (d.b.a. Olympus Surgical Technologies America)
    Inventors: Arie Blumenzweig, Shai Finkman, Stuart Wolf
  • Publication number: 20140135654
    Abstract: A wire guide system is provided for use during a endoscopic surgical procedures. The wire guide system includes a cylindrical shaft having a hollow chamber along a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical shaft, a flange fit disposed around the cylindrical shaft and a seal disposed around the cylindrical shaft and abutting the flange. The system may also include an anchor affixed to the cylindrical shaft and having an aperture from which at least one of a sensor, a light, a camera, tissue and/or organs may be suspended therefrom and at least one cable extending from one end of the cylindrical shaft to another end of the cylindrical shaft through the hollow chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: James M. Power, Frank Viola, Russell Heinrich
  • Patent number: 8721524
    Abstract: An endoscope according to the present invention includes: an elongated insertion portion inserted in an examination object; an LED which is provided in a distal end portion of the insertion portion and is driven by supply of electric power; an image pickup portion which is provided in the distal end portion on a rear end side in the insertion direction than the LED, and which picks up an image of the examination object; a power supply line for power supply, a distal end in an insertion direction of which is positioned in the distal end portion on a rear end side in the insertion direction than the image pickup portion, and which is inserted in the insertion portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Ichihashi, Yasundo Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20140114124
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a medical device. The medical device may include an elongate member, having a proximal end and a distal end and at least two lumens extending therebetween. At least one of the lumens may be an imaging lumen configured to hold an imaging device, and an imaging device may be disposed inside the imaging lumen. A signal transmitting device may extend longitudinally through the imaging lumen. A distal end of the signal transmitting device may be operably coupled to the imaging device and a proximal end may be operably coupled to a processor. The processor may be located outside of the imaging lumen. The signal transmitting device may transmit signals between the imaging device and the processor. A grounded, braided catheter may be disposed within and extend the length of the elongate member, surrounding the imaging lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell DRESHER
  • Publication number: 20140107416
    Abstract: A flexible endoscope includes a handle, a flexible shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, a coupling mechanism releasably attaching the handle to the distal end of the flexible shaft, an illumination unit disposed in the flexible shaft, the illumination unit providing light to an area in front of the distal end of the flexible shaft, and an imaging unit disposed in the flexible shaft, the imaging unit generating image data of the area in front of the distal end of the flexible shaft, wherein the coupling mechanism includes an electrical channel for transmitting electrical power to the illumination unit and the imaging unit, and a data channel for transmitting the image data from the imaging unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: Dashiell A. Birnkrant
  • Patent number: 8690759
    Abstract: There is disclosed an endoscopic instrument comprising a shaft having a distal end at which at least one optical sensor is arranged and a proximal end configured for a connection to a supply unit, further comprising a data transmission element which is provided between the at least one optical sensor and the proximal end and which is configured to differentially transmit at least two signals. The data transmission element is embodied as a star quad cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Eckhart Baum, Peter Schwarz
  • Patent number: 8690760
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an endoscope includes an elongate member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The distal end portion is configured to be inserted into a body lumen. An electrical component is disposed within the distal end portion of the elongate member and configured to produce a signal. An elongate conductive mechanical component has a proximal end portion and a distal and portion. The distal end portion of the elongate conductive mechanical component is electrically coupled to the electrical component and configured to conduct the signal or electrical power from/to the electrical component to/from the proximal end portion of the elongate conductive mechanical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Robertson, Victor Shukhat
  • Publication number: 20140094656
    Abstract: An insertion portion, an operation portion, a signal cable, a plate-shaped member, an electric board, and a fixing member are included. The fixing member is formed into a U-shape in which a bottom surface, a top surface, a side surface and a fitting port are formed, and has a stopper for a surplus portion that is fitted in an inside formed, a distance between the bottom surface and the top surface is set to be slightly larger than a diameter in the surplus portion, and the surplus portion is configured not to be disposed in layers in a height direction of the side surface when the surplus portion is housed between the bottom surface and the top surface of the fixing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Shiho MATSUKAWA, Kazuhiko HINO, Takafumi KUBO
  • Publication number: 20140088359
    Abstract: A nasogastric scope that can be inserted into an individual without sedating said individual. The nasogastric scope has a nasogastric tube with an attached viewing device. The nasogastric tube is used to feed a patient or empty the contents of a patient's stomach, while the viewing device has a camera which allows a user to observe the positioning of the nasogastric tube within a patient, as well as observe any obstructions or irregularities in a patient's stomach. An articulation mechanism can be used to change the direction in which the camera is oriented. Images captured by the camera are transmitted to a monitoring device where they can be seen by the user on a display screen and stored on a chipset. The monitoring device also provides a control panel that allows the user to input commands in order to control the camera, articulation mechanism, and chipset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventor: Roland A. QUAYE
  • Publication number: 20140088360
    Abstract: A medical device configured to permit free-adjustment of the curvature-factor by which the region connected to the distal member provided with the medical-treatment member is to be curved. The medical device includes an elongated body having an opening portion at the distal end, a distal member provided with a medical-treatment member held by the elongated body freely movably in an approaching and separating manner with respect to the opening portion, and an operation member. The operation member includes a first member which is connected to the distal member and which transmits a force, that separately-moves the distal member relatively with respect to the elongated body, to the distal member and a second member connected to the distal member, in which caused by the cooperation between the first member and second member, it is possible to freely-adjust the curvature-factor by which the first member is curved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masakatsu KAWAURA
  • Patent number: 8679000
    Abstract: An endoscope has a section of an elongated tube for entry in a body cavity. An end shell is disposed at a distal end of the elongated tube. An imaging window area is formed in the end shell. A lens barrel is secured to the end shell, and aligned with the imaging window area. An imaging device photoelectrically detects object light from the lens barrel. A circuit board has the imaging device mounted thereon. A signal cable has a cover material, and plural filaments covered by the cover material, and connected to the circuit board. A cable retaining device partially retains the cover material fixedly. A tip portion is formed at a distal end of the cable retaining device. A coupling device keeps the tip portion laterally movable on the end shell, to prevent stress in the cable retaining device from exertion to the end shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Soichiro Kimura
  • Publication number: 20140051927
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a cable assembly for a medical device. The cable assembly may include a plurality of conductors each defining a longitudinal axis. The plurality of conductors may be spaced so that the longitudinal axes of the plurality of conductors are parallel. The cable assembly may further include a layer of insulation material completely surrounding each of the plurality of conductors. The layer of insulation material may also extend between adjacent conductors to substantially fill areas between adjacent conductors along a length of the cable assembly, and at least one conductor may be electrically coupled to electronics at a distal portion of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell DRESHER, Paul AQUILINO, Rachael RHEAUME
  • Patent number: 8641606
    Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: a long insertion portion that is inserted into an examination object; an illumination portion provided at a distal end portion of the insertion portion, that irradiates illumination light at the examination object; an image pickup portion provided inside the distal end portion, that picks up reflected light captured in the insertion portion; and a heat radiating member that radiates heat emitted from at least one of the illumination portion and the image pickup portion. A distal end of the heat radiating member is disposed on a further proximal end side of the insertion portion than a maximum external diameter portion of the image pickup portion within the distal end portion. Therefore, not only can heat be radiated from the distal end portion of the insertion portion, but the distal end portion of the insertion portion can also be formed with a narrow diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Masaki Ichihashi
  • Publication number: 20140018624
    Abstract: An endoscope includes a detachable wireless imaging device and an insertion tube having a distal end region. The attachment of the detachable wireless imaging device detachably attaches the detachable wireless imaging device to the distal end region of the insertion tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: AVANTIS MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Lex BAYER, Rupesh DESAI, John HIGGINS
  • Patent number: 8602972
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is provided with a prism unit, two solid image pickup devices, two FPCs electrically connected to the solid image pickup devices and on which an electronic component is mounted, respectively, and two communication cables for supplying power to the electronic components through the FPCs and carrying out signal transmission/receiving with the solid image pickup devices, in which a first communication cable and a second communication cable are arranged adjacently and disposed so that a line connecting a center of the first communication cable to a center of the second communication cable is in a diagonal direction of an incident face of the second solid image pickup device in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis O of an objective lens unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Unsai
  • Patent number: 8597175
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an endoscope includes an elongate member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The distal end portion is configured to be inserted into a body lumen. An electrical component is disposed within the distal end portion of the elongate member and configured to produce a signal. An elongate conductive mechanical component has a proximal end portion and a distal and portion. The distal end portion of the elongate conductive mechanical component is electrically coupled to the electrical component and configured to conduct the signal or electrical power from/to the electrical component to/from the proximal end portion of the elongate conductive mechanical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Robertson, Victor Shukhat
  • Publication number: 20130231533
    Abstract: Endoscopes, particularly videoscopes, of small size and profile are applied to various medical devices such as intravascular catheters and feeding tubes. The endoscopes are of high flexibility, good resolution and low cost so as to be disposable after use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: Stephanos Papademetriou, Theofilos Kotseroglou
  • Patent number: 8500628
    Abstract: An apparatus for accessing a bodily passageway includes: an endoscope including an insertion portion configured to inserted into the bodily passageway; a drive tube including a lumen configured to receive the endoscope; a helically-wound thread disposed on an outer wall of the drive tube and configured such that rotation of the drive tube causes the drive tube with the endoscope to move along the passageway; a flexible drive shaft configured to transfer rotary motion generated by a power supply; and a rotatable drive collar disposed on the endoscope and configured to rotate the drive tube relative to the endoscope, the rotatable drive collar including a stator, a rotor rotatable over the stator and detachably coupled to the drive tube, a rotary gear configured to transfer the rotary motion from the flexible drive shaft to the rotor to rotate the drive tube, and a watertight seal disposed between the stator and the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignees: Olympus Endo Technology America, Inc., Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: James J. Frassica, Robert E. Ailinger, Richard M. Andrews, Hiroaki Miyoshi
  • Publication number: 20130190561
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may include a medical device comprising an elongate member and a handle assembly connected to the elongate member. The handle housing may house a steering mechanism movable relative to the handle assembly and configured to steer the elongate member along a first plane and a second plane different from the first plane, a camera system configured to capture images from a distal end of the elongate member, and an illumination system configured to provide illuminating light from the distal end of the elongate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Oskin, Brian C. MacLean, William M. Asselin, Michael O'Brien, Thomas M. Zappia, JR.
  • Patent number: 8480567
    Abstract: An endoscope system includes: an LVDS driver that outputs a differential signal; a differential transmission line that transmits the differential signal outputted from the LVDS driver; a pulse transformer including, in order to input the differential signal transmitted by the differential transmission line, two input terminals connected to an end of the differential transmission line; a resistor functioning as a bypass impedance element connected on an input side of the pulse transformer, to which the differential signal is inputted, in parallel to the pulse transformer and having, at a predetermined noise frequency of noise mixed in the differential transmission line, impedance smaller than circuit impedance of a circuit to which the pulse transformer, which is connected in parallel to the bypass impedance element, is connected; and a dielectric disposed between the two input terminals of the pulse transformer and between lines of the differential transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Kazunori Segawa
  • Patent number: 8480572
    Abstract: An adapter-type endoscope includes a distal end adapter and an insertion portion. The distal end adapter includes a light-emitting device substrate and an adapter-side electrical connection portion. The insertion portion includes a distal end portion to which the distal end adapter is detachably mounted, and has an insertion portion-side electrical connection portion connected to an adapter-side electrical connection portion, and a dual-purpose wire for power supply and heat release serving as both a heat releasing wire and a power source wire. The adapter-side electrical connection portion includes an electrical connection portion main body serving as both an electrical connection portion and a heat conducting portion and whose distal end surface closely contacts the light-emitting device substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Takakazu Ishigami
  • Publication number: 20130172670
    Abstract: There is provided herein, an endoscope comprising an elongated shaft terminating with a tip section wherein said tip section comprises a permanent section connected to the elongated shaft and a removable section securely connectable to the permanent section, wherein the removable section comprises at least one capture device and at least one light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: PEER MEDICAL LTD.
    Inventor: PEER MEDICAL LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130158346
    Abstract: Visual-assisted guidance of an ultra-thin flexible endoscope to a predetermined region of interest within a lung during a bronchoscopy procedure. The region may be an opacity-identified by non-invasive imaging methods, such as high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) or as a malignant lung mass that was diagnosed in a previous examination. An embedded position sensor on the flexible endoscope indicates the position of the distal tip of the probe in a Cartesian coordinate system during the procedure. A visual display is continually updated, showing the present position and orientation of the marker in a 3-D graphical airway model generated from image reconstruction. The visual display also includes windows depicting a virtual fly-through perspective and real-time video images acquired at the head of the endoscope, which can be stored as data, with an audio or textual account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: University of Washington
    Inventor: University of Washington
  • Publication number: 20130144122
    Abstract: A reduced area imaging device is provided for use in medical or dental instruments such as an endoscope. The imaging device is provided in various configurations, and connections between the imaging device elements and a video display may be achieved by wired or wireless connections. A connector assembly located near the imaging device interconnects the imaging device to an image/power cable extending through the endoscope. The connector provides strain relief and stabilization for electrically interconnecting the imager to the cable. The connector also serves as the structure for anchoring the distal ends of steering wires extending through the body of the endoscopic device. The connector includes a strain relief member mounted over a body of the connector. The connector allows a steering wire capability without enlarging the profile of the distal tip of the endoscopic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Micro-Imaging Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Adair, Kevin Ewing Wiggins
  • Patent number: 8453639
    Abstract: An automatic video instillator that can accurately and easily administer inhalation into an airway of an animal by providing images of a throat is provided. An automatic video instillator includes a case defining a space, a guide unit that protrudes frontward from the case to secure an airway of an animal by being inserted through a throat of the animal, an image pickup unit that is installed on a front end of the guide unit to capture images of portions in front of the guide unit, an administration unit that is installed through the case and the guide unit to administer an inhalation, an administration switch for adjusting administration of a predetermined amount of the inhalation directed to the administration unit into the airway of the animal, and an image display unit that is connected to the image pickup unit to allow a user to see the images captured by the image pickup unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignees: Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Doobae System
    Inventors: Jin-Sung Kim, Bae Lee, In-Cheol Hwang, Chang-Woo Song, Sang-Seop Han
  • Publication number: 20130131449
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an endoscope includes an elongate member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The distal end portion is configured to be inserted into a body lumen. An electrical component is disposed within the distal end portion of the elongate member and configured to produce a signal. An elongate conductive mechanical component has a proximal end portion and a distal and portion. The distal end portion of the elongate conductive mechanical component is electrically coupled to the electrical component and configured to conduct the signal or electrical power from/to the electrical component to/from the proximal end portion of the elongate conductive mechanical component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Robertson, Victor Shukhat
  • Publication number: 20130102846
    Abstract: A steerable stereoscopic endoscope comprising: a shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, and an articulating region therebetween; stereo image acquisition means disposed at the distal end of the shaft for acquiring stereo images of a remote site; and means for steering the portion of the shaft distal to the articulating region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: VIKING SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Viking Systems, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8425405
    Abstract: An electronic endoscope apparatus includes: an image pickup apparatus mounted at a distal end portion of an insertion portion; an operation portion provided consecutively at the insertion portion, with a frame member incorporated therein; and an electrical cable extended from the operation portion for connection with an external device. In the electronic endoscope apparatus, the frame member has a circuit board portion which establishes electrical connection between shields of the insertion portion and the electrical cable, and on which various electronic parts for exchanging signals with the image pickup apparatus are mounted. In spite of the arrangement of the image pickup apparatus that can acquire high-quality images at a distal end portion of the insertion portion, a size of the apparatus, in particular, a diameter of the insertion portion, can be prevented from being increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Takahiko Mitani, Akira Muramatsu, Seiji Sakai, Tomoaki Yamashita, Masahiro Kawauchi, Yuichi Wataya
  • Publication number: 20130096382
    Abstract: An endoscopic peripheral includes a first end including at least a camera and one or more lights. The endoscopic peripheral may also include a second end may include a plug to physical connect the endoscopic peripheral to a computing device or a wireless device. The endoscopic peripheral may also include a flexible cable for communicating content captured by the camera to the computing device or wireless device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventors: Ian Joseph Alexander, Brian Dean Owens, Roland Clifford Park
  • Publication number: 20130085328
    Abstract: One end of a cable connecting fitting is fixed to a transmission cable. After a locking claw provided on the other end of the cable connecting fitting is locked to the tip surface of a mounting tube portion of a prism holder, the mounting tube portion and the cable connecting fitting are fixed to each other. An image area sensor is close to the inner circumferential surface of a distal end hard portion, and a camera module is disposed in the distal end hard portion. The cable connecting fitting can be disposed at a free space between the inner circumferential surface of the distal end hard portion and the image area sensor. The size of the cable connecting fitting can be increased within a range of the free space, connection strength is secured, and separation of the prism or junctions and rupture of the transmission cable can be suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: FUJIFILM Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130060086
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and methods for providing a single use imaging device having improved viewing for sterile environments is disclosed and described. A single use high definition camera used for general purpose surgical procedures including, but not limited to: arthroscopic, laparoscopic, gynecologic, and urologic procedures, may comprise an imaging device that is a sterile and designed to ensure single use. The imaging device may further include a sensor located near the tip of a laparoscope and a view optimizing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: OLIVE MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Jeremiah D. Henley, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 8366603
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an endoscope includes an elongate member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The distal end portion is configured to be inserted into a body lumen. An electrical component is disposed within the distal end portion of the elongate member and configured to produce a signal. An elongate conductive mechanical component has a proximal end portion and a distal and portion. The distal end portion of the elongate conductive mechanical component is electrically coupled to the electrical component and configured to conduct the signal or electrical power from/to the electrical component to/from the proximal end portion of the elongate conductive mechanical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Robertson, Victor Shukhat
  • Publication number: 20130030248
    Abstract: Electric power of a required voltage is supplied to an endoscope distal end portion, and a distal end temperature is prevented from being higher. An imaging device having an imaging element, and its peripheral circuit and a first circuit part including a first regulator as a power circuit are built in the endoscope distal end portion. The first circuit part is connected to a second circuit part via a cable. The second circuit part includes a second regulator supplying electric power to the first regulator. By the overcurrent detection function of a temperature detecting unit or a regulator arranged, when at least one abnormality of a temperature abnormality and an overcurrent in the distal end portion is detected, the output of at least one of the first regulator and the second regulator is stopped, and supply of power to the distal end portion is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Yasushi MATSUMARU
  • Publication number: 20130012777
    Abstract: Endoscopic arrangement comprising a first distal end, an imaging device arranged at the first distal end, a first proximal end for connection to a supply unit, a data transmission element embodied as a light guide and having a second distal end and a second proximal end, and comprising an electro-optical converter, wherein the electro-optical converter is configured to convert digital data generated by the imaging device into an optical signal, wherein the data transmission element at its second distal end is optically coupled to the electro-optical converter for coupling the optical signal into the data transmission element, wherein the imaging device comprises at least two data outputs each having a digital output signal, and wherein a first signal converter is provided between the imaging device and the electro-optical converter for combining the digital output signals into a digital combined output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Eckhart Baum, Klaus-Martin Irion, Peter Schwarz, Daniel Efinger
  • Patent number: 8348828
    Abstract: A medical apparatus which is introduced into a body includes an image pickup unit that picks up an image of the interior of the body, a communication cable that sends/receives a signal to/from an external device, an electric terminal section disposed at an end section of the communication cable, a drip-proof cap attached so as to cover the electric terminal section, a locking section provided at the drip-proof cap that locks a puncture needle for pulling the communication cable introduced into the body out of the body, and a dissection section provided at the drip-proof cap that dissects a body wall tissue when the cable wire is pulled out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Daisuke Asada, Sho Nakajima, Hideaki Kinouchi, Nobuyoshi Yazawa
  • Publication number: 20120323073
    Abstract: An imaging device is installed on a scope distal portion, and captures an image based on an imaging clock. An image processor portion performs image processing on the image captured by the imaging device, and displays the corresponding image based on a display clock on a monitor. A scope cable portion transmits data between the scope distal portion and the image processor portion. A clock oscillator generates a master clock. A first multiplying/dividing circuit multiplies and/or divides the master clock by (natural number/natural number), and generates a transmission clock whose frequency is lower than that of the imaging clock and is (natural number) times the frequency of a vertical synchronization signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Motoo AZUMA, Kazuhiro TAKIZAWA, Satoshi TANAKA, Takayuki SATO, Naruyasu KOBAYASHI, Kaoru KOTODA, Hisashi NISHIMURA
  • Publication number: 20120310045
    Abstract: An electronic endoscope of the present invention includes an elongated insertion portion inserted into a subject, a distal end of the elongated insertion portion including a solid state imaging device, an operating portion connected to an other end of the insertion portion so as to be freely attachable thereto or detached therefrom, and an interface substrate that processes RAW data obtained by the solid-state imaging device and that creates and outputs image signals. At least part of an interface substrate is disposed inside the operating portion, and a first electrical cable that transmits the RAW data obtained by the solid-state imaging device is connected to a connector located on the interface substrate or located on the way toward the interface substrate, and when the insertion portion is being attached to or detached from the operating portion, the first electrical cable is attached or detached at a connector portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Zhi HU, Takeshi SEGI, Kenichi NAKATATE, Kenichi ISHIBASHI
  • Publication number: 20120296167
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible-tubed structure of an endoscope comprising a plurality of cylindrical units, a first wire, a second wire, a first flexible unit, and a second flexible unit. The wires respectively pass through the cylindrical units. The flexible units are continuously disposed at the recesses of the cylindrical units. The cylindrical units are used to form a tubular unit by the flexible units. The tubular unit is bent by the tension of the first wire or the second wire to control the turning-direction of the camera apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: THREE-IN-ONE ENTERPRISES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yung-Hsiu Chen, Kuo-Chen Weng
  • Publication number: 20120265012
    Abstract: An endoscope system includes: an LVDS driver that outputs a differential signal; a differential transmission line that transmits the differential signal outputted from the LVDS driver; a pulse transformer including, in order to input the differential signal transmitted by the differential transmission line, two input terminals connected to an end of the differential transmission line; a resistor functioning as a bypass impedance element connected on an input side of the pulse transformer, to which the differential signal is inputted, in parallel to the pulse transformer and having, at a predetermined noise frequency of noise mixed in the differential transmission line, impedance smaller than circuit impedance of a circuit to which the pulse transformer, which is connected in parallel to the bypass impedance element, is connected; and a dielectric disposed between the two input terminals of the pulse transformer and between lines of the differential transmission line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventor: Kazunori SEGAWA
  • Patent number: 8279273
    Abstract: An endoscope apparatus, includes: an explosion-proof unit that has an image pickup device that outputs photographed video images as video image signals; and an A/D converter that converts the video image signals into digitalized image signals; a control unit that controls the explosion-proof unit; and an energy limiting circuit that is provided at the control unit and that limits electrical energy of digital signals to satisfy intrinsic safety when sending and receiving of the digital signals, wherein the explosion-proof unit is connected to the control unit via the energy limiting circuit with a signal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Masanao Murata
  • Patent number: 8269829
    Abstract: An imager assembly for a remote inspection device includes an imager body. A circuit board retainer is slidably received through an end of the imager body. The circuit board retainer has deflectable legs separated by a slot. A circuit board assembly has an imager device connected to a first circuit board. A second circuit board is electrically connected to the first circuit board. The second circuit board is received in the slot of the circuit board retainer and frictionally engaged by the deflectable legs. A flexible tube has a first end connected to an end of the imager body using a first ferrule. A male connector is connected to a second end of the flexible tube using a second ferrule. A wiring harness is disposed through a bore of the flexible tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Perceptron, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Miller, Al Boehnlein, Tye Newman, Paul J. Eckhoff, Brandon Watt
  • Publication number: 20120209070
    Abstract: A medical system generally comprises a camera head, a beam, and a guide sheath. The camera head is connected to the beam which is bendable in a first direction and resists bending in a second direction opposite the first direction. The guide sheath slidably receives the beam, the beam extending through a distal end of the guide sheath such that the camera head projects from the distal end of the guide sheath. The guide sheath includes first and second sheath portions, and in an operative configuration the first sheath portion is angled relative to the second sheath portion to define a first bend. The beam is oriented relative to the guide sheath such that, as the beam is slid relative to guide sheath, the beam bends in the first direction through the first bend, and a projecting portion of the beam resists bending in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: David Keith Piech, Deepthi Jampala, Vihar C. Surti, Michelle D. Martinez, John Crowder Sigmon, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120197081
    Abstract: An end portion of a signal cable is fixed to the inside of a rear end of a connecting member by a first adhesive material. A flange of a lens barrel is engaged to a pair of claws of the connecting member. The signal cable is connected to the lens barrel through the connecting member so that the signal cable is not peeled from a flexible substrate. The connecting member does not cover a CCD and a first tip of the flexible substrate. The diameter of a distal portion of an electronic endoscope can be made smaller by eliminating the thickness of the connecting member and the thickness of the adhesive material filled between the connecting member and the CCD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Soichiro Kimura