Disposable sheath for a miniature endoscope

Abstract

An endoscopic has an fiber optic waveguide that transmits an image from a distal end to a proximal end, the waveguide having an outer diameter of less than 3 mm. A lens system is positioned at the distal end of the fiber optic waveguide. An imaging device is optically coupled to the proximal end of fiber optic waveguide. A disposable sheath extends about the fiber optic waveguide to provide a sterile barrier, and in a preferred embodiment the sheath includes an illumination channel. In a preferred embodiment, the lens system has a first lens element, a second lens element and an aperture stop.

1 . A disposable fiber optic sheath for illuminating a region within a body comprising:
 a tubular sheath having an inner tube and an outer tube with a diameter of less than 2 mm and a concentric array of illumination optical fibers within the sheath;   a seal at the distal end of the sheath that transmits an image; and   a connector assembly at a proximal end of the sheath.   
     
     
         2 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 1  wherein the connector assembly further comprises a hub assembly including an optical coupler connected to a proximal end of the optical fibers. 
     
     
         3 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 2  wherein the optical coupler comprises a light interface within the hub assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 1  further comprising a sterile barrier attached to a base. 
     
     
         5 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 4  wherein the sterile barrier comprises a drape adapted to extend over an endoscope handle. 
     
     
         6 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 1  wherein the seal comprises a window. 
     
     
         7 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 1  wherein an annular channel extends between the outer tube and the inner tube. 
     
     
         8 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 7  wherein the optical fibers fill the annular channel. 
     
     
         9 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 1  wherein the inner tube defines an airspace to receive an elongated tube of an endoscope imaging unit. 
     
     
         10 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 1  wherein the optical fibers at a distal end of the sheath are not protected and exposed to the body. 
     
     
         11 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 1  further comprising a fluid delivery channel for delivering medication to a region of interest in a body lumen or cavity. 
     
     
         12 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 1  further comprising a cannula adapted to receive the fiber optic sheath, the cannula comprising a fluid insertion cannula. 
     
     
         13 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 1  wherein the connector assembly comprises a mounting mechanism adapted to attach to an endoscope handle. 
     
     
         14 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 1  wherein the inner tube extends proximally further than the outer tube. 
     
     
         15 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 3  wherein a proximal end of the optical fibers are coupled at a proximal end to the light interface within the hub assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 1  wherein the sheath comprises a cover unit. 
     
     
         17 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 16  wherein a drape is attached to the cover unit. 
     
     
         18 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 16  wherein the cover unit is attached to the mounting mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 1  further comprising a receiving chamber. 
     
     
         20 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 19  wherein the receiving chamber is within the hub assembly. 
     
     
         21 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 20  wherein the receiving chamber extends from an airspace within the inner tube. 
     
     
         22 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 3  wherein the light interface optically couples the concentric array of illumination optical fibers to an optical fiber bundle within an endoscope handle at a handle interface. 
     
     
         23 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 1  wherein the illumination optical fibers are connected to an illumination pigtail. 
     
     
         24 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 12  wherein the cannula has a shaft and a luer for delivery of medication. 
     
     
         25 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 1  wherein the sheath comprises a two piece disposable sheath including a mounting and cover unit that is attached to the drape and receives the tubular sheath. 
     
     
         26 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 1  wherein the seal is cemented to the inner tube. 
     
     
         27 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 1  wherein the optical coupler is adapted to connect to an external light source with a light connector. 
     
     
         28 . A disposable fiber optic sheath for illuminating a region within a mammalian body comprising:
 a tubular sheath having an outer tube with a diameter of less than 2 mm and an inner tube;   an array of optical fibers extending between the outer tube and the inner tube and defining a concentric illumination surface area at a distal end;   a sealing element at the distal end of the sheath to provide a tubular cavity with an opening at a proximal end; and   a hub assembly mounted at the proximal end of the tubular sheath, the hub assembly including a connector and an optical coupler that is optically coupled to a proximal end of the array of optical fibers.   
     
     
         29 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 28  wherein the optical fibers comprise an optical fiber bundle at a proximal end that is attached to an optical coupler. 
     
     
         30 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 28  wherein the tubular sheath comprises a rigid tube having a circular opening at the proximal end to receive an image collection tube. 
     
     
         31 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 28  wherein the sealing element comprises a window that seals an airspace within the inner tube. 
     
     
         32 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 28  wherein the base comprises a mounting mechanism to attach the sheath to an endo scope. 
     
     
         33 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 32  further comprising an airspace for receiving an endoscope imaging tube having a first lens element, a second lens element and an aperture stop. 
     
     
         34 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 28  wherein the optical coupler is adapted for optical coupling to an illumination source with an endo scope handle. 
     
     
         35 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 28  wherein the illumination source is positioned in a control unit. 
     
     
         36 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 28  further comprising a cannula having a fluid port. 
     
     
         37 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 31  wherein the window is cemented to the inner tube to form an inner channel. 
     
     
         38 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 28  wherein an annular channel extends between the outer tube and the inner tube. 
     
     
         39 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 38  wherein the optical fibers fill the channel. 
     
     
         40 . The fiber optic sheath of  claim 28  further comprising a receiving chamber.