초록 ▼

A low profile medical lens protector (100) for a medical viewing device having a given diameter, comprising: a rotatable view-through element; a motor which rotates said view-through element; and a housing (140) enclosing said view-through element and said motor, characterized in that said housing h

A low profile medical lens protector (100) for a medical viewing device having a given diameter, comprising: a rotatable view-through element; a motor which rotates said view-through element; and a housing (140) enclosing said view-through element and said motor, characterized in that said housing has an outer diameter less than 10 mm greater than said given diameter.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A low profile medical lens protector for a medical viewing device with an entrance aperture having a given diameter, comprising: a rotatable view-through clement which does not block said entrance aperture; a motor which rotates said view-through element; and a housing encl

What is claimed is: 1. A low profile medical lens protector for a medical viewing device with an entrance aperture having a given diameter, comprising: a rotatable view-through clement which does not block said entrance aperture; a motor which rotates said view-through element; and a housing enclosing said view-through element and said motor, characterized in that said housing has an outer diameter less than 10 mm greater than said given diameter. 2. A protector according to claim 1, wherein said outer diameter is less than 5 mm greater than said given diameter. 3. A protector according to claim 1, wherein said outer diameter is less than 2.1 mm greater than said given diameter. 4. A protector according to claim 1, wherein said view-through element is integral with a rotor of said motor. 5. A protector according to claim 1, wherein said housing is integral with a stator of said motor. 6. A protector according to claim 1, wherein said housing has a flared rim. 7. A protector according to claim 1, wherein said motor is a magnetic motor. 8. A protector according to claim 7, wherein said motor comprises a plurality of axially disposed magnets, attached to said view-through element. 9. A protector according to claim 8, comprising at least one tension ring preventing radial motion of said magnets. 10. A protector according to claim 7, wherein said motor comprises a magnetic ring, attached to said view-through element. 11. A protector according to claim 1, wherein said motor comprises a hollow rotor. 12. A protector according to claim 11, comprising at least two axially displaced bearings coupling said rotor to said housing. 13. A protector according to claim 12, wherein said at least one of said bearings is a slip ring bearing. 14. A protector according to claim 12, wherein said at least one of said bearings is rotating bearing. 15. A protector according to claim 12, wherein said bearings arc at either end of said housing. 16. A protector according to claim 1, comprising a power source that provides only enough power to said motor to maintain said view-through element in rotation and not to initiate rotation. 17. A protector according to claim 16, wherein said power source is operative to provide a power surge sufficient to initiate rotation of said view-through element. 18. A protector according to claim 1, wherein said viewing device comprises an invasive viewing tube device. 19. A protector according to claim 18, wherein said viewing tube is flexible. 20. A protector according to claim 18 adapted to attach to said viewing tube. 21. A protector according to claim 20, wherein said protector is attached to said tube substantially only at a proximal part of said protector, distal from said view-through element. 22. A protector according to claim 20, comprising a sheath adapted to fit on said viewing tube. 23. A protector according to claim 22, wherein said sheath defines at least one axial tube. 24. A protector according to claim 20, comprising a short sleeve for coupling said protector to said viewing tube. 25. A protector according to claim 20, wherein said protector is integral with said viewing tube. 26. A protector according to claim 18, wherein said viewing tube comprises at least one work channel and wherein said protector comprises at least one tube extension that can be aligned with said channel. 27. A protector according to claim 1, wherein said view-through element rotates at at least 5,000 r.p.m. 28. A protector according to claim 1, wherein said view-through element rotates at at least 10,000 r.p.m. 29. A protector according to claim 1, wherein said view-through element rotates at at least 20,000 r.p.m. 30. A protector according to claim 1, wherein said protector has an outer diameter of less than 30 mm. 31. A protector according to claim 1, wherein said protector has an outer diameter of less than 20 mm. 32. A protector according to claim 1, wherein said protector has an outer diameter of less than 7 mm. 33. A protector according to claim 1, wherein said view-through element is optically transparent.