Patent ID: 6050938
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A hand-portable endoscopy system and a single hand-portable housing for storing the system and for readily transporting the system by hand to a patient regardless of where that patient may be located, the system for performing a medical endoscopic procedure including evaluation of swallowing dysfunction, a colonoscopy, a peniloscopy, a hysteroscopy or a bronchoscopy, the system and housing comprising at least:an endoscope housing compartment within which is stored:a light source for providing light to an endoscope coupled thereto, the endoscope for being inserted within the patient to a predetermined area for directing the provided light from the light source to the predetermined area within the patient, and for providing a light image of the predetermined area; anda video camera for being functionally coupled to the endoscope, the video camera for receiving the provided light image and for providing the received light image as an electronic image;a video housing compartment within which is stored:a video recording and playback device functionally coupled to the video camera, the video recording and playback device for receiving and recording the provided electronic image during a record mode and for providing the recorded image during a playback mode; anda video monitor coupled to the video camera and to the video recording and playback device, the video monitor for receiving and displaying the provided electronic image from the video camera during the record mode, the video monitor also for receiving and displaying the providedrecorded image from the video recording and playback device during the playback mode; anda power supply housing compartment within which is stored a power supply for supplying power to the system,said light source, video camera, video recording and playback device, video monitor and power supply being functionally integrated within said housing,said system and housing having a total weight less than about 50 pounds;wherein said system and housing are capable of being transported by hand from one location to another by a person without benefit of auxiliary transportation means.