초록 ▼

An articulated optical arm adapted to optically link an endoscopic telescope to a viewing station through a series of mechanically interhinged and optically intercoupled arm sections, the last arm in the series being coupled to a terminal eyepiece through an image-erecting barrel which is rotatable

An articulated optical arm adapted to optically link an endoscopic telescope to a viewing station through a series of mechanically interhinged and optically intercoupled arm sections, the last arm in the series being coupled to a terminal eyepiece through an image-erecting barrel which is rotatable by a barrel rotator to correct for image displacement. Associated with the endoscope are surgical instruments for performing an operation at the surgical site viewed by the endoscope. In order to make it possible for a surgeon while manipulating the instrument with his hands to rotate the barrel to maintain an erect image, the barrel rotator includes a bi-directional motor controlled by a foot-operated switch. When foot-actuated in one way, the switch causes the motor to turn the barrel clockwise; and when foot-actuated in another way, it causes the motor to turn the barrel counterclockwise whereby the surgeon is able to maintain proper image orientation throughout a procedure in the course of which the articulated arm undergoes adjustment that acts to displace the image.

대표청구항 ▼

In combination, an articulated optical arm adapted to optically link to a viewing station the eyepiece of an endoscopic telescope which views an internal region, said arm including a series of sections mechanically interhinged and optically intercoupled by joints, a rotatable image-erecting barrel a

In combination, an articulated optical arm adapted to optically link to a viewing station the eyepiece of an endoscopic telescope which views an internal region, said arm including a series of sections mechanically interhinged and optically intercoupled by joints, a rotatable image-erecting barrel and a terminal eyepiece, the last section in the series being optically coupled through said rotatable image-erecting barrel to said terminal eyepiece, said arm being adjustable by an operator so that the endoscope may be extended, retracted or otherwise adjusted with respect to the internal region whereby any aspect of the internal region may be clearly viewed at the viewing station, the image transmitted through the arm undergoing circumferential displacement about the optical axis in a direction and to a degree that depends on this adjustment, and a barrel rotator comprising: A. a primary assembly provided with a sleeve which telescopically receives and clamps onto said barrel and including a bi-directional motor operatively coupled to said sleeve to rotate the barrel either in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, depending on the polarity of power supplied thereto; and B. a remote control station connected to the primary assembly and including selective means to supply power to the motor in a polarity and for a period effecting turning of the barrel in a direction and to an extent causing erection of the image presented through said terminal eyepiece.