Portable imaging system employing a miniature endoscope
A cart or man-portable system and method for performing endoscopic procedures is provided. A portable display device, such as a laptop computer, is coupled to a handle comprising a miniature camera and fiber optic illumination subsystem. A sterile disposable portion is fitted over the illumination subsystem and inserted into a target area on a patient. Images of the target area are conveyed from the camera to the display device while an endoscopic procedure is performed, thus facilitating real-time diagnosis during the procedure.
1 . A fiber optic probe for viewing within a mammalian body comprising:
a handle having an image device, an optical coupler and a connector; and
a disposable sheath that encloses a fiber optic device, the sheath being connected to the handle with the connector and having a diameter of less than 3 mm.
2 . The fiber optic probe of claim 1 further comprising a battery within the handle.
3 . The fiber optic probe of claim 1 further comprising a processor connected to the imaging device.
4 . The fiber optic probe of claim 1 further comprising a light source within the handle.
5 . The fiber optic probe of claim 4 wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode (LED).
6 . The fiber optic probe of claim 5 further comprising red, green and blue light emitting diodes.
7 . The fiber optic probe of claim 4 wherein the light source comprises a laser.
8 . The fiber optic probe of claim 7 wherein the laser comprises a gallium nitride diode laser.
9 . The fiber optic probe of claim 1 further comprising a wireless transmitter that transmits video images to a control unit.
10 . The fiber optic probe of claim 9 , further comprises a wireless transmitter circuit module and an antenna.
11 . The fiber optic device of claim 1 further comprising a wireless receiver.
12 . The fiber optic device of claim 2 further comprising of power regulation circuit connected to the battery, a light source, a processor and the imaging devices.
13 . The fiber optic device of claim 1 wherein the disposable sheath comprises a concentric fiber array having a diameter less than 2 mm.
14 . The fiber optic device of claim 1 wherein the fiber optic device comprising an imaging fiber bundle that is rigidly connected to the handle, a proximal end of the imaging fiber bundle being optically coupled to the optical coupler.
15 . The fiber optic probe of claim 14 further comprising a lens at a distal end of the imaging fiber bundle.
16 . The fiber optic probe of claim 1 wherein the disposable sheath is detachably connected to the handle and the fiber optic device.
17 . The fiber optic device of claim 1 wherein the disposable sheath includes the fiber optic device that is detachable from the handle.
18 . The fiber optic device of claim 17 wherein the detachable fiber optic device comprises an imaging bundle and an illumination fiber optic device connected to a light source.
19 . The fiber optic device of claim 1 wherein the sheath is insertable into a body lumen without a distending fluid.
20 . The fiber optic device of claim 1 further comprising a base unit that is connectable to the handle.
21 . The fiber optic device of claim 20 wherein the handle locks with the base unit such that the handle is electrically connected to the base unit.
22 . The fiber optic device of claim 20 wherein the base unit comprises a battery charger.
23 . The fiber optic device of claim 20 wherein the base unit comprises a network connection.
24 . The fiber optic device of claim 20 wherein the base unit comprises a transmitter.
25 . The fiber optic device of claim 20 wherein the base unit is connected to a facsimile device.
26 . The fiber optic device of claim 20 wherein the base unit is connected to a computer.
27 . The fiber optic device of claim 1 further comprising a cable connecting the handle to a computer.
28 . The fiber optic probe of claim 9 wherein the control unit comprises a computer.
29 . The fiber optic device of claim 28 wherein the computer comprises a laptop computer and a display.
30 . The fiber optic device of claim 1 wherein the imaging device comprises a CMOS imaging device.
31 . The fiber optic device of claim 1 wherein the imaging device detects light in a range of 300 nm to 1900 nm.
32 . The fiber optic device of claim 1 further comprising an indentification circuit that identifies the sheath.
33 . The fiber optic device of claim 32 wherein the identification circuit comprises a bar code reader that reads a bar code on the sheath.
34 . The fiber optic device of claim 32 wherein the identification circuit comprises a radio frequency identification system.
35 . The fiber optic probe of claim 32 wherein the identification circuit is on the handle.
36 . The fiber optic probe of claim 32 wherein the sheath comprises an electronic identifier.
37 . The fiber optic probe of claim 32 wherein the sheath has a serial number.
38 . The fiber optic probe of claim 1 further comprising a light source that induces fluorescence in tissue that is detected with the imaging device.
39 . The fiber optic probe of claim 1 wherein the imaging device detects infrared light in a range of 700 nm to 1000 nm.
40 . The fiber optic device of claim 1 further comprising a cart for transport of a computer display and the probe.
41 . The fiber optic device of claim 1 further comprising an achromatic lens at a distal end of the fiber optic device.
42 . The fiber optic device of claim 1 wherein the imaging device detects light in a visible and a near infrared range.
43 . The fiber optic device of claim 1 further comprising a cutting element to collect tissue sample.
44 . The fiber optic device of claim 1 wherein the sheath includes a lens, a mirror or a prism at a distal end for side viewing.
45 . The fiber optic device of claim 1 wherein the sheath is between 50 mm and 2500 mm in length.
46 . The fiber optic device of claim 1 further comprising a fluid delivery channel for delivering medication or imaging dye to a region of interest in a body lumen or cavity.
47 . The fiber optic device of claim 1 further comprising a display device on the handle.
48 . The fiber optic device of claim 1 further comprising a control panel on the handle.
49 . The fiber optic device of claim 1 further comprising a spectral filter coupled to the imaging device.
50 . A method of performing body imaging comprising:
providing a handle having an imaging device;
attaching the handle to a disposable sheath, the sheath enclosing a fiber optic imaging device;
inserting the sheath into the patient; and
viewing a site within the patient without insertion of a fluid at the site.
51 . The method of claim 50 further comprising providing an illumination source having a wavelength in the range of 700 nm-1200 nm.
52 . The method of claim 50 further comprising providing a light source having a wavelength in a range of 10 nm to 380 nm to treat tissue in the patient.
53 . The method of claim 50 further comprising providing a cart for transport of a system including a computer, a display, and a probe storage.
54 . The method of claim 50 further comprising providing a laptop computer having a graphical user interface to display one or more images and enter patient data.
55 . The method of claim 50 further comprising providing a light source in the handle.
56 . The method of claim 50 further comprising viewing the site without a distending fluid
57 . The method of claim 55 wherein the light source comprises an LED array.
58 . The method of claim 50 further comprising transmitting image data from the handle to a computer with a wireless connection.
59 . The method of claim 50 further comprising locking the handle with a base having a battery charger.
60 . The method of claim 50 further comprising providing a batter, a processor, a wireless transmitter and a light source in the handle, the light source being coupled to a fiber optic array in the sheath.
61 . A fiber optic probe for viewing within a mammalian body comprising:
a handle having an imaging device, an optical coupler that optically couples a fiber optic imaging channel to the imaging device, a fiber optic illumination channel, and a connector; and
a disposable sheath that encloses the fiber optic imaging channel, the sheath being connected to the handle with the connector and having a diameter of less than 3 mm the sheath further comprising a distal window.
62 . The fiber optic probe of claim 61 further comprising a battery within the handle.
63 . The fiber optic probe of claim 61 further comprising a processor connected to the imaging device.
64 . The fiber optic probe of claim 61 further comprising a light source within the handle.
65 . The fiber optic probe of claim 64 wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode (LED).
66 . The fiber optic probe of claim 61 wherein the window further comprises an illumination window and a light collection window.
67 . The fiber optic probe of claim 66 wherein the illumination window is optically decoupled from the collection window.
68 . The fiber optic probe of claim 67 wherein the sheath is fluidly sealed to the window.
69 . The fiber optic probe of claim 68 wherein the collection window is decoupled from the illumination window with an optical barrier.
70 . The fiber optic probe of claim 69 wherein the optical barrier comprises a spacer attached with an adhesive.