University of Cincinnati

Ronald L Ohlhaber

Charles P Olinger

Casey Kot

A needle endoscope includes a hollow needle of about 18-gauge, a lens system within the needle, an image transmitting bundle of flexible fiber-optic rods within the needle, a plurality of illumination transmitting fiber-optic rods within the needle, an operative channel within the needle, and apparatus to shift the image transmitting bundle with respect to the lens system and needle to provide focus adjustment for focusing the endoscope on objects at various distances from the end of the needle. The channel is adapted to receive an electrode having an end which, when extended beyond the needle, can be microscopically viewed and supervised through the needle during application of radiofrequency pulses to the spinal cord's nerve tracts or nerve cells, for example. Both medical and industrial uses are contemplated.

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Chicago, IL, United States of America

Ronald L Ohlhaber