The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 20, 1988
Filed:
Oct. 10, 1986
John E Abele, Concord, MA (US);
George E Strom, North Kingstown, RI (US);
James F Hopkins, Marlboro, MA (US);
Thomas A Jellison, Framingham, MA (US);
Alice H Pincus, Andover, MA (US);
Microvasive, Inc., Milford, MA (US);
Abstract
An elongated image-carrying member that enables microendoscopy to be practiced using normal-sized catheters, includes a drawn, fused, central multi-fiber micro-unit of about 0.5 mm diameter, having about 2,000 glass fibers in coherent array, with a polymeric coating bonded to its pristine as-drawn outer surface. This combination achieves sufficient flexibility and optical qualities to enable effective use to provide vision for inspection of small passages and ducts. Flexible image-carrying members having diameter of 0.5 millimeter or less and catheters of diameter of 3 mm or less incorporating such members and effective working channels are achievable. For vision in remote areas, the micro-unit is employed with a substantially spherical lens with an ocular system for providing a focus range from less than about 2 mm to infinity and having resolution of detail down to the order of about 0.001 inch. The micro-optical member may be employed with a handpiece in a vision system, the micro-optical member being joined to the handpiece by a detachable connector having a stepped structure for precise alignment between the handle and the micro-optical member. By application of a relatively thin coating containing an opaque constituent to the as drawn micro-unit, degradation of the image and avoidance of artifacts caused by wave guiding effect are avoided. Devices with varying bend radiuses are also shown.