Stryker Corporation

Bader-Eddine Bellahsene

Richard A Beutter

YanPeng Ng

Huei Liang Chang

Albert R Luna

An endoscope ( ) with an elongated shaft ( ) and a light post ( ). One or more sensed elements are fitted to the light post. The sensed elements may be magnets ( ). The sensed elements may be mounted in an adapter ( ) that is removably attached to the light post.

Endoscope assembly useful with a scope-sensing light cable

A fiber optic cable (124) for supplying light to an endoscope (22) from a light source (28). The cable, in addition to including an optically transmissive core (50), includes two conductors (62) that are not in direct electrical contact with each other. Contacts (140, 146) integral with a plug (130) attached to one end of the cable connect the conductors to circuitry internal to the light source. The conductors extend to a switch (384) in a second plug (132) which is closed when a sensor (387) closes the switch to establish an electrical connection between the conductors. The sensor closes the switch when the second plug is connected to an endoscope. The circuit internal to the light source monitors the change in voltage across the conductors to determine if the connection is established. When the connection is not established, the light source places itself in a standby mode reducing the amount of emitted light energy, thus minimizing heating of the light cable, and the second, distal plug.

Fiber optic cable for supplying light to an endoscope and for detecting

An endoscope system (20) comprising an endoscope (22) with light source (28). A light generated by the light source is supplied to the endoscope by a fiber optic cable (46). The cable in addition to including an optically transmissive core (50), includes two conductors (62) that are not in direct electrical contact with each other. Contacts (70, 71) in a plug attached to one end of the cable attach the conductors to circuitry internal to the light source. Contacts (80, 84) in a plug at the opposed end of the cable also provide at the opposed end of the cable. When the cable is attached to the endoscope, contacts (80, 84) are shorted together so as to complete the circuit established therebetween. This circuit completion state is monitor by the light source. When the cable is disconnected from the endoscope this connection is broken. This disconnect state is recognized by the light source as an endoscope-disconnected condition. When this condition is recognized, the light source automatically places itself in a standby mode reducing the amount of emitted light energy, thus minimizing heating of the light cable, distal, scope-end, tip.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Bader-Eddine Bellahsene