DISPOSABLE SHEATH FOR A MINIATURE ENDOSCOPE
An endoscopic has an fiber optic waveguide that transmits an image from a distal end to a proximal end, the waveguide having an outer diameter of less than 3 mm. A lens system is positioned at the distal end of the fiber optic waveguide. An imaging device is optically coupled to the proximal end of fiber optic waveguide. A disposable sheath extends about the fiber optic waveguide to provide a sterile barrier, and in a preferred embodiment the sheath includes an illumination channel. In a preferred embodiment, the lens system has a first lens element, a second lens element and an aperture stop.
1 . A disposable fiber optic sheath for illuminating a region within a body comprising:
a tubular sheath having an inner tube and an outer tube with a diameter of less than 2 mm and a concentric array of illumination optical fibers within the sheath;
a seal at the distal end of the sheath that transmits an image; and
a connector assembly at a proximal end of the sheath.
2 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 1 wherein the connector assembly further comprises a hub assembly including an optical coupler connected to a proximal end of the optical fibers.
3 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 2 wherein the optical coupler comprises a light interface within the hub assembly.
4 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 1 further comprising a sterile barrier attached to a base.
5 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 4 wherein the sterile barrier comprises a drape adapted to extend over an endoscope handle.
6 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 1 wherein the seal comprises a window.
7 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 1 wherein an annular channel extends between the outer tube and the inner tube.
8 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 7 wherein the optical fibers fill the annular channel.
9 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 1 wherein the inner tube defines an airspace to receive an elongated tube of an endoscope imaging unit.
10 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 1 wherein the optical fibers at a distal end of the sheath are not protected and exposed to the body.
11 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 1 further comprising a fluid delivery channel for delivering medication to a region of interest in a body lumen or cavity.
12 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 1 further comprising a cannula adapted to receive the fiber optic sheath, the cannula comprising a fluid insertion cannula.
13 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 1 wherein the connector assembly comprises a mounting mechanism adapted to attach to an endoscope handle.
14 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 1 wherein the inner tube extends proximally further than the outer tube.
15 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 3 wherein a proximal end of the optical fibers are coupled at a proximal end to the light interface within the hub assembly.
16 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 1 wherein the sheath comprises a cover unit.
17 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 16 wherein a drape is attached to the cover unit.
18 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 16 wherein the cover unit is attached to the mounting mechanism.
19 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 1 further comprising a receiving chamber.
20 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 19 wherein the receiving chamber is within the hub assembly.
21 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 20 wherein the receiving chamber extends from an airspace within the inner tube.
22 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 3 wherein the light interface optically couples the concentric array of illumination optical fibers to an optical fiber bundle within an endoscope handle at a handle interface.
23 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 1 wherein the illumination optical fibers are connected to an illumination pigtail.
24 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 12 wherein the cannula has a shaft and a luer for delivery of medication.
25 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 1 wherein the sheath comprises a two piece disposable sheath including a mounting and cover unit that is attached to the drape and receives the tubular sheath.
26 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 1 wherein the seal is cemented to the inner tube.
27 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 1 wherein the optical coupler is adapted to connect to an external light source with a light connector.
28 . A disposable fiber optic sheath for illuminating a region within a mammalian body comprising:
a tubular sheath having an outer tube with a diameter of less than 2 mm and an inner tube;
an array of optical fibers extending between the outer tube and the inner tube and defining a concentric illumination surface area at a distal end;
a sealing element at the distal end of the sheath to provide a tubular cavity with an opening at a proximal end; and
a hub assembly mounted at the proximal end of the tubular sheath, the hub assembly including a connector and an optical coupler that is optically coupled to a proximal end of the array of optical fibers.
29 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 28 wherein the optical fibers comprise an optical fiber bundle at a proximal end that is attached to an optical coupler.
30 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 28 wherein the tubular sheath comprises a rigid tube having a circular opening at the proximal end to receive an image collection tube.
31 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 28 wherein the sealing element comprises a window that seals an airspace within the inner tube.
32 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 28 wherein the base comprises a mounting mechanism to attach the sheath to an endo scope.
33 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 32 further comprising an airspace for receiving an endoscope imaging tube having a first lens element, a second lens element and an aperture stop.
34 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 28 wherein the optical coupler is adapted for optical coupling to an illumination source with an endo scope handle.
35 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 28 wherein the illumination source is positioned in a control unit.
36 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 28 further comprising a cannula having a fluid port.
37 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 31 wherein the window is cemented to the inner tube to form an inner channel.
38 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 28 wherein an annular channel extends between the outer tube and the inner tube.
39 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 38 wherein the optical fibers fill the channel.
40 . The fiber optic sheath of claim 28 further comprising a receiving chamber.