Endoscope with distal tip having encased optical components and display orientation capabilities

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9521942-B2
Application number	US-201314072861-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 6, 2013
Priority date	Apr 23, 2009
Publication date	Dec 20, 2016
Grant date	Dec 20, 2016

Abstract

An apparatus according to one embodiment includes an endoscope tip including a housing that is monolithically formed of a transparent material. At least one optical component is at least partially encased within the housing. The optical component can be, for example, a light source, a fiber optic, an imaging sensor, a lens, a reflector or a light shield. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes an endoscope having a distal end portion that includes a housing. The housing is monolithically formed with a transparent material and a light source is at least partially encased within the housing. The housing also includes a micro-defects portion within the transparent material of the housing. The micro-defects portion is configured to provide a selected output shape of a beam of light produced by the light source.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus, comprising:
an image detector disposed at a distal end portion of an elongate member, the image detector configured to generate an image signal; and
an actuator operatively coupled to elongate member, the actuator configured to be actuated by a user to modify an orientation of an image when the image is displayed on an image display device, the image being associated with the image signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including:
a processor operatively coupled to the actuator and configured to send a signal to the image display device to modify the orientation of the image.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a first actuator, the apparatus further including:
a second actuator operatively coupled to elongate member, the second actuator configured to be selectively actuated by a user to send a signal to the image display device such that a mark is displayed within an image, the mark indicating a location of an area of interest within the image when the image is displayed.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including:
a distal tip coupled to a distal end of the elongate member, the distal tip including a transparent material and a micro-defects portion formed in at least a portion of the distal tip.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including:
a processor operatively coupled to the actuator and configured to send a signal to the image display device to display a mark within the image when the image is displayed on the image display device, a location of the mark within the displayed image being associated with an orientation of the image relative to the elongate member.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , further including:
a handle coupled to the elongate member, the actuator coupled to the handle and configured to move relative to the handle, wherein the mark corresponds to a reference mark on the actuator.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the actuator is rotatable relative to the handle.

8. A medical device comprising:
an endoscope having an elongate member and a distal tip coupled to a distal end of the elongate member, the distal tip including an image detector configured to generate an image signal;
a handle operably coupled to a proximal end of the endoscope;
an actuator operably coupled to the handle of the endoscope; and
a system controller including a processor;
wherein the actuator is configured to be actuated by a user to modify an orientation of an image when the image is displayed on an image display device, the image being associated with the image signal.

9. The medical device of claim 8 , wherein the system controller further includes one or more of a light controller, a memory, and an image controller.

10. The medical device of claim 8 , wherein the distal tip includes a transparent material and a micro-defects portion formed in at least a portion of the distal tip.

11. The medical device of claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to send a signal to the image display device to display a mark within the image when the image is displayed on the image display device, a location of the mark within the displayed image being associated with an orientation of the image relative to the endoscope.

12. The medical device of claim 8 , wherein the actuator is configured to move relative to the handle, wherein the mark corresponds to a reference mark on the actuator.

13. The medical device of claim 8 , further including:
a sensor configured to track the movement of the endoscope.

14. The medical device of claim 8 , wherein the actuator is a first actuator, the medical device further including:
a second actuator operatively coupled to handle, the second actuator configured to be selectively actuated by a user to send a signal to the image display device such that a mark is displayed within an image, the mark indicating a location of an area of interest within the image when the image is displayed.

15. A method, comprising:
inserting an endoscope into a body lumen of a patient, the endoscope including a first actuator operably coupled to a handle;
imaging the body lumen with an image detector of the endoscope;
displaying an image of the body lumen on an image display device;
displaying an orientation mark at a first location within the displayed image; and
reorienting the displayed image such that the orientation mark within the image indicates a second orientation of the image relative to the endoscope;
wherein the orientation mark corresponds to a reference mark on the first actuator.

16. The method of claim 15 , the method further including:
actuating a second actuator to send a signal to the image display device such that a tracking mark is displayed within the displayed image of the body lumen at an area of interest.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the reorienting includes rotating the first actuator relative to the handle of the endoscope such that a reference mark on the actuator is at a desired rotational location relative to the handle.

18. The method of claim 15 , further including:
tracking movement of the endoscope.

19. The method of claim 15 , further including:
calibrating a position of the endoscope.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the endoscope has an elongate member with a distal end, further including:
coupling a distal tip to the distal end of the elongate member, the distal tip including a transparent material and a micro-defects portion formed in at least a portion of the distal tip.

Assignees

• Boston Scient Scimed Inc

Inventors

• Robertson David W

Classifications

• B25B13/463

  a pawl engaging an externally toothed wheel · CPC title

• B25B13/08

  of open jaw type · CPC title

• B25B23/0035 Primary

  Connection means between socket or screwdriver bit and tool · CPC title

• A61B1/00045 Primary

  Display arrangement · CPC title

• A61B1/04

  combined with photographic or television appliances · CPC title