Granted Patent B2

US 12,440,094 · App. 17/392,318 · Granted Oct 14, 2025

Inventors: Sourabh Ketkale (Tuttlingen, DE); Shirish Joshi (Wurmlingen, DE)

Assignee: Erbe Vision GmbH

A61B1/0646A61B1/043

Abstract

Claims (26)

1. A system, comprising:

an endoscope imager ( 5 ) having a distal end and a direct imaging axis to an operating field during open surgery; and

an illumination apparatus ( 1 ) for illuminating the operating field during open surgery with radiation to cause fluorescence,

the illumination apparatus ( 1 ) comprising

a main body ( 2 ) having an extension defining an opening ( 3 ) configured to release the radiation ( 18 ), wherein the illumination apparatus ( 1 ) further comprises

attachment means ( 4 ) for attaching the main body ( 2 ) sideways to the endoscope imager ( 5 ) such that the extension of the main body extends beyond the distal end of the endoscope imager ( 5 ) and the radiation is released from the opening ( 3 ) along an optical axis that is laterally spaced from and inclined relative to the direct imaging axis of the endoscope imager ( 5 ), wherein the endoscopic imager ( 5 ) comprises a coupler ( 8 ) which allows the endoscopic imager ( 5 ) to be connected to an endoscope ( 21 ), and further wherein the coupler ( 8 ) comprises a focusing ring ( 24 ) which allows adjusting of focus of images taken by the endoscopic imager ( 5 ).

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the attachment means ( 4 ) are selected from the group consisting of snap-on means, clip-on-means, strapping-on-means, positive-locking means, screw-means, silicone rubber and other non-permanent adhesive means.

3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the main body ( 2 ) comprises a radiation source which provides the radiation.

4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the main body ( 2 ) is connected to a radiation source which provides the radiation.

5. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the main body ( 2 ) integrally defines a holding element ( 15 ) extending downwardly from the main body ( 2 ) for engaging with a finger of a user of the system.

6. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the main body comprises means ( 15 ) allowing it to be connected to a stand or a robotic arm or a semi-automatic arm.

7. The system according to claim 1 , wherein a filter is inserted in the opening ( 3 ) which allows only the radiation used to cause fluorescence to pass.

8. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising means for varying the inclination of the radiation exiting the illumination apparatus ( 1 ) when it is attached to the endoscope imager ( 5 ).

9. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the main body comprises a unitary structure defining the attachment means, the extension and the opening.

10. A method for illuminating the operating field during open surgery with radiation to cause fluorescence using the system of claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of:

connecting the main body ( 2 ) of the illumination apparatus ( 1 ) sideways to the endoscope imager ( 5 ) with the attachment means ( 4 ) for attaching the main body ( 2 ) to the endoscopic imager ( 5 ) such that radiation is released from the opening ( 3 ) along the optical axis that is laterally spaced from the imaging axis of the endoscopic imager ( 5 );

applying a sterile cover to the imaging apparatus by way of the coupler ( 8 ) to cover both the endoscope imager ( 5 ) and the illumination apparatus ( 1 ), wherein the coupler ( 8 ) comprises a focusing ring ( 24 ) which allows adjusting of focus of images taken by the endoscopic imager ( 5 ); and

emitting radiation ( 18 ) from the illumination apparatus ( 1 ) to permeate the sterile cover ( 16 ) and illuminate the operating field.

11. A system comprising an endoscope imager ( 5 ) and an illumination apparatus ( 1 ) for illuminating the operating field during open surgery with radiation to cause fluorescence,

the illuminating apparatus ( 1 ) comprising:

a main body ( 2 ) comprising an opening ( 3 ) configured to release the radiation ( 18 ), and

attachment means ( 4 ) for attaching the main body ( 2 ) sideways to the endoscope imager ( 5 ) such that the radiation is released from the opening ( 3 ) along an optical axis that is laterally spaced from an imaging axis of the endoscope imager ( 5 ); and

further comprising

a coupler ( 8 ) arranged at an opening of the endoscope imager ( 5 );

a cover ( 16 ) configured to cover the illuminating apparatus ( 1 ) and the endoscopic imager ( 5 ); and

a connection piece ( 23 ) for securing the cover ( 16 ) relative to the endoscope imager ( 5 ) and the illuminating apparatus ( 1 ) such that the radiation ( 18 ) released from the opening ( 3 ) passes through the cover ( 16 ), wherein the coupler ( 8 ) is configured to accommodate the cover ( 16 ) for covering the system and further wherein the coupler ( 8 ) comprises a focusing ring ( 24 ) which allows adjusting of focus of images taken by the endoscopic imager ( 5 ).

Assignments (2)

Priority Claims (1)

Continuity (1)

References Cited (27)