US2701561A - Illuminated diagnostic instrument - Google Patents

Description

M- C. SHAF' F ER ILLUMINATED DIAGNOSTIC INSTRUMENT Flled June 19, 1952 slaag '1. a

nu'iillllll Feb. 8, 1955 m' las' ATTORNEYS United States Patent() ILLIMINTED DIAGNOSTIC .INSTRUMENT MelvinI C. Shaffer, Richmond, Va. -pplica'till Jll'l'le 19,1952', V.Sel'fi'l N0. 294,401

2' "Claimss (.Cl.- A12S-m6) The present invention relates in general to diagnostic instruments and particularly' 'to illuminating devices Ysuch as endoscopes for facilitating examination of :intra-body cavities.

The type of illuminating device --to which the present invention relates is one .in which abeam of 'light is' projected through an open tube adapted-'to be inserted into a body cavity, so `that jparts withinthe body cavity are illuminated by the projected beam yof :light and may vbe viewed through the vopen-tube.v v`InstrumentsJnay also be projected through the open tube to permit treatment or operationupon yar'eas'=within ythe fbo'dy cavity. 'Ihis device is generically termed tant-'endoscope iin the medica-l profession, spee'ic exampleseoffwhich are bronchoscopes, urethroscopes, andthe like, designed vfor-eXploringparticular vbody cavities.

YDiagnostic instruments such `as endoscopes `and the .like require a -strong*illumination'tof the fwork area `and free access to the work larea through theV flight-.directing"tube, but do' not have :as :critical arequirement-of1accuracy'of illumination and control :thereof ras ophthalmic :diagnostic instruments.

'it is valso desirable that 'these 'instruments :provide for Ieffective'coritroliof the )general directivity of the light beam through the' illuminating tube, 'that :means be yprovided tojprevent :attenuation of the I:illumination.due =to the breathof the patient, -as in the .case of bronchoscopes-and laryngoscopes, =and that the source of villumination 'be readily replaceable.

An :object zof .the 'present'inventiom v'therefore is` the provision of -a zriovel illuminating :instrument facilitating the examinationfofdntra-bodycavities, Iwhichis easy'fto manipulate, which facilitates ready 'replacement 'of :the illuminating components thereof, fand vwhich is vsimple and eicient iri operation.

Another :object lof 'the 'present invention is rthe provision of a `novel 'illuminating-device zfordiagnostic examination'of Iirltra'body cavities, which aiords-strong illumination "of 4the -cavities arid facilitates :insertion f of instru; lrvh'ents'irito thelcavities'for treatnrentlor removaLo-foreign odies.

YAnotherobject :of :the present :invention is 1the provision of afnovel illuminating-device for-diagnostic examination and treatment within intrarbody cavities having means for preven'tingfogging:or condensation Ion illuminating surfaces'therein when the Adevice is inserted finto the vbody cavities.`

Anotherobject 'of the present linvention `is the provision of a -novel illuminating'devicefor=diagnostic lexamination lof intra-body cavities Awherein the arrangement 'of parts provides ra :substantially funobstructed passage for viewing andt'reatment'fof the cavities.

Other objects, fadvantages :and :capabilities Vof the ypresent--inventionwill becomcfapparent.from-the-following d'etail description, `takenfin-conjunction with `the accompanying drawings, wherein only .a @preferred embodiment of the invention .is illustrated.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of anendoscope embodying the present invention;

Figure i2 `a vertical *transverse 'section of the `endoscope, taken l'ongth'e lines 2-2 of 'Figure l;

Figure 3 'is' a 'verticallongi't'udinal sectionof the endoscope illustrating the optical 'components providedtherein, taken along thellijnesB-B of Figure; and

Figure f4 iis fa horizontal '.seetion, taken lalong the vlines of Figure';1ad

ICC

Figure 5 is :a :horizontalsection ythrough the lens mount, taken along thelines 5--5 ofFigure. 2.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate .corresponding parts throughout the .several figures, the endoscope embodying the present invention is indicated .generally by vthe reference lcharacter l0 and is` ,-for'medessent-ially -of `two removably intercoupled units, a removable endoscope tube Vunit 11 aand la lamp housing fhandle .12. The endoscope tube unit :1.1 `contains the y@portion which,'when in use, .must be .introduced into la particular :intra-body -cavity for examination of' .the cavity. Since dierentspecic 'body cavities .requiredifferently ldesigned `and shaped endoscope tubes, thezlamp housing handle 12 :is designed to interchangeably accommodate any of a number of differently shaped'endoscope tubes designed for particular body cavities, so that'a Vset of diierentf-endoscope tube units would normally be `used with the lamp housing 4handle illustrated, .rendering the device adaptable for diagnosis `of ymany different body cavities.

The particular :endoscope :tube :illustrated xin the drawing `is specifically :designed for` examination :and .treatment of the fbronchus, esophagus and the larynx, `and will :be described insrelation zto :examination :of these fspecifi'c 'body cavities.

Referring specifically Lto '.-the endoscope tube `eunit T1, a cylindrical `can :member 13 Vforms fthe base Vfor this yunit,

and is :provided with .a patriot adiametrically opposed in Wardly projecting locking lugs l14 :extending :from the inner v/alls 'thereof :near the vilower end of the cap, `for coupling the cap with the lamp housing `unit "12 rinazmaznner to Vbe later described. .A pair ofaligned openings .15 formed .at diametricallynopposed points :in the fwall ofthe cylindrical cap are provided, `through 'which the rendoscope ltube 1'6 is projected `andirigidly.securedzas sbyasoldering, damning, lor the flike. The :endoscope tube .16 vis preferably formed vof :stainless steel `:and fis :provided 'with a :hollow bore 17 vextending fthe length'ithereof, sthrough which light to v:be .projected "to iillurninate .the .intrabody cavity, and y'through which the cavity iis 'viewed :and instruments are finserted 'for treatment @of `.fthe cavity :..or extractionof :foreign bodies therefrom. The-surface of the -`bore .17 is higlly'polished v"to facilitate #internal reection :of ightithereinfandfa portion lof the tube near :one end .fthereo'f tis fcut '-'away to fprovide a 'reflector-accommodatingap'erture Sthroughrwhich :abeam of :lightis to-he projected. .One endiofrthe ftube f1-9'isfshapedin'aparticular manner tto facilitate insertion of the `tube .into fthe intra-body-cavity to be examined and ito )facilitate .view-- ing and 'Working :within the same, tand the .opposite end 2l) serves las' :the .wolt 'end of'rthe endoscope "ctube 16.

The flan-ip vhousing Aunit :'12 `is .zan :elongated cylindrical tube serving:asiiiehandle'for the Jendoscope, and :is providedat its npperend withza pair of 'diametricallyfopposed bayonet =slots y.22 adaptedito accommodate the 'locking "lugs 14 on .the endoscope i-.nnt :cap 13, for couplingthe'endo` scope tube tunit'tothclamp'housing `12. A'fknurled anntilarrin'g or" slightly greater outer Idiameterfthan the endoscope :cap 13 is 'threaded .to the upper end fof thelampjhousingcylinder `'12 ttoclamp the cap 13 in :position on'ithe-'lamp lhousing cylinder 12. in a Well -known ITlElIltlCr.

Thelower `endbf the lamp -housing cylinder l12 is ,provided with a'portion 24 of vslightly `'greater diameter than the remainder of .the cylinder, and is ofva size `:to just accommodatefthefcylindrical baseZS vof av replaceablelight source v26. The lightsourcelimay be. any .commercially available 'highintensity arclamp, and isnpreferably aconventi'onal lOwatt arc ,lamp ,producing ahigh intensity spot of lig'hthaving .a diameterof .approximately `.01%7 inch. .Thecontactprongs,aZSfprojectthrough the open lower .endaof the'larnphousing cylinder 1-2, .andamaybe convenientlyconnected to thetsource of current. by Ameans of -a :conventional insulated connector plug .27 Y"having sockets for accommodatingvthe prongs 25.

Approximatelygrnidwayrofxthe length'of'thelamp'housing cylinderl'zyan annular lens mountl is x'edtorthe walls'thereofiin'ovhich a'fconverging lens29 is providedllto project Vthe spot :of -lig'htrproduced by thelamp 261,towar'cl a ffreeeror no fbe fredireereu along fthe aube no @toward the end 19 of the endoscope tube 16 and produce a spot approximating the diameter of the endoscope tube 16.

An adjustable reflector unit is provided at the open upper end of the lamp housing cylinder 12 and comprises a cylindrical reflector supporting tube 30 slidably fitting within the tubular housing 12 having a split reinforcing ring 31 formed of a pair of arcuate segments secured to the upper end thereof, with a reflector-supporting member 32 riveted or otherwise rigidly secured to the supporting tube 30 between adjacent ends of the split reinforcing ring`31. The reflector-supporting member 32 is provided with an inclined upper leg 33 having a wedge-shaped tip 33 extending upwardly into the reflector-accommodating opening 18 in the endoscope tube 16. A reflector 34, preferably formed of a chrome mirror, is disposed with its refleeting surface set at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees to the optical axis defined by the lens 29 and the illuminated spot of the lamp 26, so as to direct the spot of light toward the shaped end 19 of the endoscope tube 16. The upper edge of the reflector 34 and the reflector-supporting member 32 are adjusted to project into the bore of the endoscope tube 16 a distance not exceeding the diameter of the spot of light on the reflector 34. In the preferred embodiment this spot of light is only .024 inch in diameter at the point where it is intercepted by the reflector 34, so that the reflector 34 and its supporting member 32 extend into the bore 17 of the endoscope tube 16 not more than .024 inch, thereby avoiding any significant obstruction Within the bore 17 and the tube 16.

Vertical adjustment of the position of the reflector 34 to properly. center the light beam in the tube 16 is effected by means of an external thumb-piece 35 rigidly connected to the supporting tube 30 by means of a connecting stud 36 extending through a vertical guide slot 36' in the tubular lamp housing 12.

Since the particular form of endoscope illustrated was designed to be inserted in the bronchus or like body cavities forming part of the respiratory system, the patient must breathe through the endoscope tube 16 during examlnation. This, however, creates a serious problem, as the reflector surface 34 would become fogged due to moisture condensation from the persons breath on the reflecting surface. This fogging of the reflecting surface is avoided by directing a jet of oxygen or compressed air on the surface of the mirror 34. This is effected by means of the jet 40 formed at the outlet end of a rigid hollow tube 41, connected at its lower end with a tubular bore 42 in the annular lens mount 28 opening inwardly of the tubular housing 12 at 42', which bore 42 extends substantially completely around the mount 28 and exits at 42" externally of the housing 12 at its lower end. A length of metallic tubing 43 is connected at one end to the external outlet of the bore 42 and at its other end is connected to flexible tubing 44 extending to a suitable source of oxygen or compressed air. It will be noted that this provides a convenient means for administering oxygen to the patient if this is found necessary during the examination procedure, and that the arrangement of the bore 42 to encircle the lens 29 cools the lens and tends to conne the heat from the lamp 26 to the area below the lens.

Operation of the subject device is as follows:

With the light source 26 inserted into the tubular lamp housing 12 and seated therein by the enlarged cylindrical portion 24 of the housing member 12, and the connector plug 27 fitted onto the exposed prongs of the lamp 26, electric current will be supplied to the lamp to produce an intense spot of light, which in the preferred embodiment is approximately .017 inch in diameter. This spot of light is directed onto the outer tip of the reflector 34,V

and at this point produces a spot of light approximately .024 inch in diameter. With the endoscope cap fixed onto the upper end of the tubular lamp housing 12 by the seat- 1ng of locking lugs 14 in the bayonet slots 22 in locking relation therewith and rotating the locking ring 23 to clamp'the cap 13 in such position, the thumb piece 35 is adjusted vertically to shift the supporting tube 30 and project the wedge-shaped end 33' of the reflector-supporting member 33 into the bore 17 of the endoscope tube 16. The reflector-34 is initially adjusted to project a substantial distance into the bore of the endoscope tube 16, but can be then adjusted to proper position by lowering the reflector 34 to position where any further lowering of the reflector would begin to cut off the spot of light visible at the -shaped end 19 of the endoscope tube 16. Since the beam Vof light necessary. to produce an illuminating spot flector 34 need not project into the bore 17 more than .O24

inch. By forming the end of the supporting member 33 and reflector 34 into a wedge shape, the upper surface will preferably be disposed parallel to the axis of the tube 16, or may form an angle therewith which converges toward the end 19 of the tube. As illustrated in Figure 3, the axis of the supporting member 33 and the plane of the reflector 34 are so inclined relative to the optical axis of the lens 29 and the axis of the endoscope tube 16 as to project the image of the spot source of light toward the center of the end of the tube 16 and produce an illuminating spot of the diameter of the tube at that end,

With this particular arrangement, the bore 17 of the endoscope tube 16 is left substantially free of obstruction, to facilitate viewing of the illuminated portion of the body cavity into which the endoscope tube 16 is inserted, and to facilitate introduction of instruments through the bore 17 for treating surfaces within the body cavity or removing foreign bodies therefrom.

While but one specific embodiment of the invention has been particularly shown and described, it is to be understood that Various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art and set forth in the accompanying claims.

I claim:

l. A diagnostic instrument for illuminating intrabody cavities comprising a tubular casing, a point source of light mounted at one end of said casing, an endoscope tube removably mounted at the other end of said casing and disposed perpendicular thereto, said tube having an aperture intermediate the ends thereof opening into said casing, reilector means disposed at the endfof said casing opposite said light source and adjustably mounted for movement along the axis of said casing, said reflector means having a reflecting surface angularly disposed to the axis of said casing for reflecting light emanating from said light source along the axis of said endoscope tube, a lens intermediate the ends of said casing for concentrating the beam of light emanating from said light source and directing said beam of light toward said reflecting surface, an annular lens ring peripherally supporting said lens disposed intermediate the ends of said casing and having a portion projecting through the wall thereof, a rigid tubular conduit disposed within said casing, means rigidly mounting one end of said conduit on said lens ring, said lens ring having a conduit formed therein communicating at one end with said tubular conduit and extending therefrom substantially entirely around the periphery of said lens in thermal contact therewith and terminating in said outwardly projecting portion of said lens frame, the other end of said rigid tubular conduit forming a jet nozzle disposed proximate to said reflecting surface and directed toward the same for directing a jet of gas against said reflecting surface. and means on said lens ring adapted to connect the end of said lens ring conduit terminating in said projecting portion with a source of compressed gas externally of said casing.

2. A diagnostic instrument for illuminating body cavities comprising a tubular casing, an arc lamp coaxially disposed in one end thereof forming a point source of light, a hollow elongated endoscope tube removably mounted on the other end of said casing and disposed perpendicular thereto, said tube having an aperture intermediate the ends thereof opening into said casing, an inclined rectilinear supporting member mounted at said other end of said casing and terminating in a wedge-shaped portion oriented transversely to the axis of said casing and having upper and lower faces converging to an apex disposed centrally of said casing, the lower face of said wedge-shaped portion being coplanar with the lowermost face of said supporting member and forming a reflecting surface immediately adjacent the apex thereof disposed at an angle to the axis of said casing to direct a beam of light coaxially with said casing axis along said endoscope tube, the upper face of said wedge-shaped portion lying in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said tube, a lens located intermediate the ends of said casing for projecting a beam of light from said light source toward said reflecting surface to produce a spot of light substantially twice the diameterof said point source of light on said reflecting surface immediately adjacent said apex of said Wedge-shaped portion, the apex of said wedge-shaped portion being projected through said tube aperture and into the bore of said tube a distance not greater than the diameter of said spot of light formed thereon, an annular lens ring peripherally supporting said lens disposed intermediate the ends of said casing and having a portion projecting through the wall of said casing, a rigid tubular conduit disposed Within said casing, means rigidly mounting one end of said conduit in said lens ring, said lens ring having a conduit formed therein communicating at one end with said tubular conduit and extending therefrom substantially entirely around the periphery of said lens in thermal contact therewith and terminating in said outwardly projecting portion of said lens frame, means on said lens ring adapted to connect the terminus of said internal lens ring conduit to a source of compressed gas externally ot said casing, and the other end of said rigid tubular conduit forming a jet nozzle disposed proximate to said reecting surface and directed towards the same for directing a jet of gas against said reflecting surface.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,636,463. De Zeng July 19, 1927 1,767,266 Wappler et al. June 24, 1930 1,934,698 Cameron Nov. 14, 1933 2,290,665 Arnesen July 21, 1942

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