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:
Jun. 28, 1994
Filed:
Nov. 03, 1992
Michael Lafferty, Leucadia, CA (US);
Daniel Kline, Carlsbad, CA (US);
Charles S Slemon, Encinitas, CA (US);
Citation Medical Corporation, Reno, NV (US);
Abstract
A disposable arthroscope for examining the interior of a joint and for carrying out diagnostic and therapeutic procedures within the joint includes an elongated needle and a cap housing which has a base plate. The proximal end of the needle is mounted on the cap opposite the base plate, and the distal end of the needle extends outwardly from the cap. The needle is a hollow tube which surrounds an image guide and a bundle of illuminating fibers that extend through the tube. A lens is attached to the distal end of the image guide and is slightly angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the needle. The proximal ends of both the image guide and the bundle of illuminating fibers extend from the proximal end of the tube and through the cap for exposure at the surface of the base plate. The base plate of the disposable arthroscope is engageable with a camera and with a light source to position the camera in light communication with the image guide, and to position the light source in light communication with the bundle. With these engagements, the combination of disposable arthroscope, light source and camera generate a visual display of an object that is illuminated by the light source through the bundle of illuminating fibers.