Portable imaging system employing a miniature endoscope

Abstract

A cart or man-portable system and method for performing endoscopic procedures is provided. A portable display device, such as a laptop computer, is coupled to a handle comprising a miniature camera and fiber optic illumination subsystem. A sterile disposable portion is fitted over the illumination subsystem and inserted into a target area on a patient. Images of the target area are conveyed from the camera to the display device while an endoscopic procedure is performed, thus facilitating real-time diagnosis during the procedure.

1 . A fiber optic probe for viewing within a mammalian body comprising: 
 a handle having an image device, an optical coupler and a connector; and    a disposable sheath that encloses a fiber optic device, the sheath being connected to the handle with the connector and having a diameter of less than 3 mm.    
     
     
         2 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 1  further comprising a battery within the handle.  
     
     
         3 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 1  further comprising a processor connected to the imaging device.  
     
     
         4 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 1  further comprising a light source within the handle.  
     
     
         5 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 4  wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode (LED).  
     
     
         6 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 5  further comprising red, green and blue light emitting diodes.  
     
     
         7 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 4  wherein the light source comprises a laser.  
     
     
         8 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 7  wherein the laser comprises a gallium nitride diode laser.  
     
     
         9 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 1  further comprising a wireless transmitter that transmits video images to a control unit.  
     
     
         10 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 9 , further comprises a wireless transmitter circuit module and an antenna.  
     
     
         11 . The fiber optic device of  claim 1  further comprising a wireless receiver.  
     
     
         12 . The fiber optic device of  claim 2  further comprising of power regulation circuit connected to the battery, a light source, a processor and the imaging devices.  
     
     
         13 . The fiber optic device of  claim 1  wherein the disposable sheath comprises a concentric fiber array having a diameter less than 2 mm.  
     
     
         14 . The fiber optic device of  claim 1  wherein the fiber optic device comprising an imaging fiber bundle that is rigidly connected to the handle, a proximal end of the imaging fiber bundle being optically coupled to the optical coupler.  
     
     
         15 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 14  further comprising a lens at a distal end of the imaging fiber bundle.  
     
     
         16 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 1  wherein the disposable sheath is detachably connected to the handle and the fiber optic device.  
     
     
         17 . The fiber optic device of  claim 1  wherein the disposable sheath includes the fiber optic device that is detachable from the handle.  
     
     
         18 . The fiber optic device of  claim 17  wherein the detachable fiber optic device comprises an imaging bundle and an illumination fiber optic device connected to a light source.  
     
     
         19 . The fiber optic device of  claim 1  wherein the sheath is insertable into a body lumen without a distending fluid.  
     
     
         20 . The fiber optic device of  claim 1  further comprising a base unit that is connectable to the handle.  
     
     
         21 . The fiber optic device of  claim 20  wherein the handle locks with the base unit such that the handle is electrically connected to the base unit.  
     
     
         22 . The fiber optic device of  claim 20  wherein the base unit comprises a battery charger.  
     
     
         23 . The fiber optic device of  claim 20  wherein the base unit comprises a network connection.  
     
     
         24 . The fiber optic device of  claim 20  wherein the base unit comprises a transmitter.  
     
     
         25 . The fiber optic device of  claim 20  wherein the base unit is connected to a facsimile device.  
     
     
         26 . The fiber optic device of  claim 20  wherein the base unit is connected to a computer.  
     
     
         27 . The fiber optic device of  claim 1  further comprising a cable connecting the handle to a computer.  
     
     
         28 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 9  wherein the control unit comprises a computer.  
     
     
         29 . The fiber optic device of  claim 28  wherein the computer comprises a laptop computer and a display.  
     
     
         30 . The fiber optic device of  claim 1  wherein the imaging device comprises a CMOS imaging device.  
     
     
         31 . The fiber optic device of  claim 1  wherein the imaging device detects light in a range of 300 nm to 1900 nm.  
     
     
         32 . The fiber optic device of  claim 1  further comprising an indentification circuit that identifies the sheath.  
     
     
         33 . The fiber optic device of  claim 32  wherein the identification circuit comprises a bar code reader that reads a bar code on the sheath.  
     
     
         34 . The fiber optic device of  claim 32  wherein the identification circuit comprises a radio frequency identification system.  
     
     
         35 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 32  wherein the identification circuit is on the handle.  
     
     
         36 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 32  wherein the sheath comprises an electronic identifier.  
     
     
         37 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 32  wherein the sheath has a serial number.  
     
     
         38 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 1  further comprising a light source that induces fluorescence in tissue that is detected with the imaging device.  
     
     
         39 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 1  wherein the imaging device detects infrared light in a range of 700 nm to 1000 nm.  
     
     
         40 . The fiber optic device of  claim 1  further comprising a cart for transport of a computer display and the probe.  
     
     
         41 . The fiber optic device of  claim 1  further comprising an achromatic lens at a distal end of the fiber optic device.  
     
     
         42 . The fiber optic device of  claim 1  wherein the imaging device detects light in a visible and a near infrared range.  
     
     
         43 . The fiber optic device of  claim 1  further comprising a cutting element to collect tissue sample.  
     
     
         44 . The fiber optic device of  claim 1  wherein the sheath includes a lens, a mirror or a prism at a distal end for side viewing.  
     
     
         45 . The fiber optic device of  claim 1  wherein the sheath is between 50 mm and 2500 mm in length.  
     
     
         46 . The fiber optic device of  claim 1  further comprising a fluid delivery channel for delivering medication or imaging dye to a region of interest in a body lumen or cavity.  
     
     
         47 . The fiber optic device of  claim 1  further comprising a display device on the handle.  
     
     
         48 . The fiber optic device of  claim 1  further comprising a control panel on the handle.  
     
     
         49 . The fiber optic device of  claim 1  further comprising a spectral filter coupled to the imaging device.  
     
     
         50 . A method of performing body imaging comprising: 
 providing a handle having an imaging device;    attaching the handle to a disposable sheath, the sheath enclosing a fiber optic imaging device;    inserting the sheath into the patient; and    viewing a site within the patient without insertion of a fluid at the site.    
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50  further comprising providing an illumination source having a wavelength in the range of 700 nm-1200 nm.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50  further comprising providing a light source having a wavelength in a range of 10 nm to 380 nm to treat tissue in the patient.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 50  further comprising providing a cart for transport of a system including a computer, a display, and a probe storage.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 50  further comprising providing a laptop computer having a graphical user interface to display one or more images and enter patient data.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 50  further comprising providing a light source in the handle.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 50  further comprising viewing the site without a distending fluid  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 55  wherein the light source comprises an LED array.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 50  further comprising transmitting image data from the handle to a computer with a wireless connection.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 50  further comprising locking the handle with a base having a battery charger.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 50  further comprising providing a batter, a processor, a wireless transmitter and a light source in the handle, the light source being coupled to a fiber optic array in the sheath.  
     
     
         61 . A fiber optic probe for viewing within a mammalian body comprising: 
 a handle having an imaging device, an optical coupler that optically couples a fiber optic imaging channel to the imaging device, a fiber optic illumination channel, and a connector; and    a disposable sheath that encloses the fiber optic imaging channel, the sheath being connected to the handle with the connector and having a diameter of less than 3 mm the sheath further comprising a distal window.    
     
     
         62 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 61  further comprising a battery within the handle.  
     
     
         63 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 61  further comprising a processor connected to the imaging device.  
     
     
         64 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 61  further comprising a light source within the handle.  
     
     
         65 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 64  wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode (LED).  
     
     
         66 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 61  wherein the window further comprises an illumination window and a light collection window.  
     
     
         67 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 66  wherein the illumination window is optically decoupled from the collection window.  
     
     
         68 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 67  wherein the sheath is fluidly sealed to the window.  
     
     
         69 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 68  wherein the collection window is decoupled from the illumination window with an optical barrier.  
     
     
         70 . The fiber optic probe of  claim 69  wherein the optical barrier comprises a spacer attached with an adhesive.