Patent ID: 6679838
Filing Date: 2004-01-20
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An endoscope system comprising:a light source having a xenon flash tube; a light source optical system in optical communication with said light source; an optical cable having an input end and an output end, said input end being in optical communication with said optical system; a sensor head including a sensor array and an image focus optical system; a removable optical probe, said probe having a light pipe for transmitting light received from the output end of said optical cable to an area to be viewed an object lens for collecting light reflected from said area and an image guide for transmitting said reflected light to a location remote from said area, said image guide comprising a bundle of optical fibers, said probe further comprising a rigid housing, said housing exteriorly contoured for manual grasping, wherein said housing is removably installable over said sensor head; means for removably mounting said probe to said housing; wherein said xenon flash tube emits a series of light pulses, said light source optical system focuses each said light pulse on said input end and said optical cable conducts said light pulse to said light pipe, said object lens collects said reflected light and said image guide directs said reflected light to said image focus optical system which focuses said light on said sensor array.