Patent ID: 6346073
Filing Date: 2002-02-12
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An imaging unit to be mated with a proximal end of an image-producing scope via a coupler including a coupler body having first and second ends and a focusing, mechanism disposed thereon, wherein the first end of the coupler body is attachable to the proximal end of the scope and the second end of the coupler body is attachable to the imaging unit, the imaging unit comprising:at least one imaging unit body having a distal end; an image sensor disposed within the at least one imaging unit body; a refractive lens movably disposed within the at least one imaging unit body to focus an image produced by the scope onto the image sensor; and at least one first component movably attached to the at least one imaging unit body and adapted to receive an output from the focusing mechanism on the coupler body, the at least one first component being mechanically coupled to the lens and configured and arranged so that movement of the focusing mechanism with respect to the coupler body causes the at least one first component to be moved with respect to the at least one imaging unit body, thereby causing the lens to move within the at least one imaging unit body to focus the image produced by the scope onto the image sensor.