Lens protection for medical purposes
View Patent ↗A low profile medical lens protector ( 100 ) for a medical viewing device having a given diameter, comprising: a rotatable view-through element; a motor which rotates said view-through element; and a housing ( 140 ) enclosing said view-through element and said motor, characterized in that said housing has an outer diameter less than 10 mm greater than said given diameter.
1. A low profile medical lens protector for a medical viewing device with an entrance aperture having a given diameter, comprising:
a rotatable view-through clement which does not block said entrance aperture;
a motor which rotates said view-through element; and
a housing enclosing said view-through element and said motor, characterized in that said housing has an outer diameter less than 10 mm greater than said given diameter.
2. A protector according to claim 1 , wherein said outer diameter is less than 5 mm greater than said given diameter.
3. A protector according to claim 1 , wherein said outer diameter is less than 2.1 mm greater than said given diameter.
4. A protector according to claim 1 , wherein said view-through element is integral with a rotor of said motor.
5. A protector according to claim 1 , wherein said housing is integral with a stator of said motor.
6. A protector according to claim 1 , wherein said housing has a flared rim.
7. A protector according to claim 1 , wherein said motor is a magnetic motor.
8. A protector according to claim 7 , wherein said motor comprises a plurality of axially disposed magnets, attached to said view-through element.
9. A protector according to claim 8 , comprising at least one tension ring preventing radial motion of said magnets.
10. A protector according to claim 7 , wherein said motor comprises a magnetic ring, attached to said view-through element.
11. A protector according to claim 1 , wherein said motor comprises a hollow rotor.
12. A protector according to claim 11 , comprising at least two axially displaced bearings coupling said rotor to said housing.
13. A protector according to claim 12 , wherein said at least one of said bearings is a slip ring bearing.
14. A protector according to claim 12 , wherein said at least one of said bearings is rotating bearing.
15. A protector according to claim 12 , wherein said bearings arc at either end of said housing.
16. A protector according to claim 1 , comprising a power source that provides only enough power to said motor to maintain said view-through element in rotation and not to initiate rotation.
17. A protector according to claim 16 , wherein said power source is operative to provide a power surge sufficient to initiate rotation of said view-through element.
18. A protector according to claim 1 , wherein said viewing device comprises an invasive viewing tube device.
19. A protector according to claim 18 , wherein said viewing tube is flexible.
20. A protector according to claim 18 adapted to attach to said viewing tube.
21. A protector according to claim 20 , wherein said protector is attached to said tube substantially only at a proximal part of said protector, distal from said view-through element.
22. A protector according to claim 20 , comprising a sheath adapted to fit on said viewing tube.
23. A protector according to claim 22 , wherein said sheath defines at least one axial tube.
24. A protector according to claim 20 , comprising a short sleeve for coupling said protector to said viewing tube.
25. A protector according to claim 20 , wherein said protector is integral with said viewing tube.
26. A protector according to claim 18 , wherein said viewing tube comprises at least one work channel and wherein said protector comprises at least one tube extension that can be aligned with said channel.
27. A protector according to claim 1 , wherein said view-through element rotates at at least 5,000 r.p.m.
28. A protector according to claim 1 , wherein said view-through element rotates at at least 10,000 r.p.m.
29. A protector according to claim 1 , wherein said view-through element rotates at at least 20,000 r.p.m.
30. A protector according to claim 1 , wherein said protector has an outer diameter of less than 30 mm.
31. A protector according to claim 1 , wherein said protector has an outer diameter of less than 20 mm.
32. A protector according to claim 1 , wherein said protector has an outer diameter of less than 7 mm.
33. A protector according to claim 1 , wherein said view-through element is optically transparent.