Patent ID: 8105233
Filing Date: 2012-01-31
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A device for therapeutic and other applications, medical and non-medical, and obtaining 3-dimensional human vision simulated imaging with real dynamic convergence in areas inaccessible directly by the human eye and where a high level of convergence accuracy is continuously needed for optimal surveillance and scrutiny of a target object in a cavity, said device comprising: a main tubular shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, a proximal portion adjacent to said proximal end, an external surface, and at least one longitudinally-extending channel in said external surface; an outer shell larger in diameter than said main tubular shaft, with said outer shell having opposed ends and both of said opposed ends connected to said main tubular shaft so as to cover said proximal portion and provide fixed connection of said outer shell to said main tubular shaft, at least two imaging probes each having a longitudinal axis, and at least two of said imaging probes being the same kind; two probe arms each movably mounted on said distal end of said main tubular shaft for a combined 180-degree range movement from a fully closed position where said probe arms are adjacent to one another, said probe arms each having a distal end and a proximal end, each of said probe arms further having one of said same kind imaging probes movably secured thereto in a manner allowing convergence of said same kind imaging probes and the providing of 3-dimensional human vision simulated imaging, said same kind imaging probes also secured to said probe arms so that when said probe arms are in said fully closed position said same kind probes are adjacent to one another; at least one light source associated with at least one of said imaging probes; an adjustment ring having a substantially tubular distal end, a proximal end with a separated configuration, and projection means adapted for connection of said distal end to said proximal end to said distal end, said adjustment ring also having a first movement conveying means adapted for relaying movement of said main tubular shaft toward and away from a target object so as to ultimately affect convergence of said same kind imaging probes when needed, said first movement conveying means positioned between said distal end of said adjustment ring and said proximal end of said adjustment ring; a moving cylindrical sheath having a distal end and a proximal end, with said proximal end of said moving cylindrical sheath positioned between said main tubular shaft and said outer shell for longitudinal movement back and forth along said main tubular shaft, said moving cylindrical sheath also positioned so that said adjustment ring becomes positioned between said main tubular shaft and said distal end of said moving cylindrical sheath, said moving cylindrical sheath also having a second movement conveying means adapted for engagement with said first movement conveying means associated with said adjustment ring so as to allow for movement of said adjustment ring relative to said moving cylindrical sheath, said moving cylindrical sheath, further comprising a third movement conveying means adapted for ultimately moving said imaging probes so as to cause a change in their convergence in response to movement of said main tubular shaft toward and away from the target object, said moving cylindrical sheath further having means adapted for engagement of said moving cylindrical sheath with said adjustment ring and subsequent disengagement therefrom; a gearbox depending from said proximal end of said outer shell, said gearbox housing mechanical means adapted for reducing movement; first movement transmitting means adapted for transmitting movement of said moving cylindrical sheath and said adjustment ring on said main tubular shaft to said mechanical means in said gearbox; second movement transmitting means adapted for transmitting reduced movement from said mechanical means in said gearbox to said imaging probes to achieve convergence; third movement transmitting means adapted for providing reset of said imaging probes so that said longitudinal axes are substantially parallel to one another; fourth movement transmitting means adapted for opening and closing said probe arms; and control means adapted for activation of at least one of movement transmitting means so that when said at least two imaging probes and said distal end of said main tubular shaft are inserted into a cavity, and said moving cylindrical sheath and said adjustment ring are joined together for movement as one unit, said main tubular shaft and said at least two imaging probes slide easily into the cavity but said adjustment ring is stopped from entering the cavity, and continued forward movement of said main tubular shaft into the cavity toward a target object causes movement of said adjustment ring in a backward direction and causes backward movement of said of said moving cylindrical sheath, wherein said backward movement of said of said moving cylindrical sheath is mechanically transmitted via said first and second movement transmitting means to said gearbox for reduction and then causing each of said imaging probes to turn on its axis and increase their convergence the amount needed to accommodate the increased target object distance, whereby 3-dimensional human vision simulated imaging with real dynamic convergence can be achieved with said at least two imaging probes of the same kind.