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:
Oct. 20, 2015
Filed:
Sep. 07, 2007
Eric J. Seibel, Seattle, WA (US);
Richard S. Johnston, Sammamish, WA (US);
Eric J. Seibel, Seattle, WA (US);
Richard S. Johnston, Sammamish, WA (US);
University of Washington, Seattle, WA (US);
Abstract
A scanning flexible endoscope includes a tether attached to a capsule. The tether controls a disposition of the capsule within a body lumen such as the esophagus. A scanning device in the capsule optically scans the adjacent tissue on the inside surface of the body lumen as the capsule is moved axially through the body lumen. A non-contact sensor responds to indicia on the tether to measure a relative position of the tether and the capsule in the body lumen. The indicia can be analog or digital in form and the sensor can be either magnetic, or optical. A wiper is optionally provided to remove bodily fluids from the tether when pulled from the body lumen past the sensor. A pulse of fluid can be delivered to the distal end of the tether to cause the body lumen to distend, facilitating free movement of the capsule in the lumen.