Abstract:
A sterile barrier, cover or drape for use with surgical endoscopic camera systems, or the like, which utilizes an optically clear elastomeric film mounted across the aperture of cooperating disks press-fit together to clamp the film and the drape between the disks for separation of the scope and the camera lens while maintaining a sterile field separation between the camera and the mating scope during exploratory and surgical procedures

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention deals with a cover and drape, i.e. a barrier system, between a flexible insertable imaging tool which is insertable into and removable from a human orifice such that bacteria and other particulate and liquid matter can be kept away from the surfaces of the tool while maintaining clarity of image to the user. More particularly the invention provides an optically transparent elastomeric cover between the camera lens system and an endoscope or laprascope, or the like with an attached barrier drape which extends away from the junction between the surgical scope and the camera lens system for the purpose of covering the camera and the cabling for a certain distance to prevent contamination of the camera system by any bodily fluids or other tissues which may carry bacteria, virus or other contaminants.  
           [0002]    The invention deals with a “closed camera drape” which forms a barrier for the camera (and lens) and continues for a certain distance along the cabling of a camera system used for invasive imagery of body organs through one or more orifices. The barrier of the present invention is positioned between the flexible (or non-flexible) insertable imaging tool and the camera lens and body. There currently is available a transparent hard disk coupling system which disk is molded into an outer ring which is insertable between the “scope” and the camera body and lens. The ring is heat sealed to an accordion-like drape which extends rearward away from the “scope” and over the cables for a short distance. This system is not very popular as the ring diameter and the lens diameter usually do not match and mounting becomes difficult, if not impossible in some instances. Further, it is often the case that as the hard disk is being mounted to the camera that a crack or break occurs which defeats the barrier and sometimes even damages the camera or lens.  
           [0003]    The barrier of the present invention cures the problem of mounting to several differing diameters by providing an optically clear elastomeric film installed across the aperture of an oversized ring which is overlaid upon the lens system. The “scope” can then be positioned into the lens mounting system with the film stretching to provide the attachment of the “scope” to the camera with the film remaining as a barrier between. The internal diameter of the ring will be just slightly larger than the largest scope attachment which is available.  
           [0004]    The optically clear elastomeric film is reusable within a single procedure and resists tearing, while stretching to accommodate the insertion and mount coupling of the scope to the camera lens and body. Mount coupling is accomplished by either a press-fit into a ring with a detent release spring or a bayonet partial turn into the camera lens. Neither mount coupling has an adverse effect on the integrity of the film.  
           [0005]    The present invention provides a clear advantage over currently available sterile barrier systems by permitting the barrier system to be mount coupled to any of several different camera systems having a wide variety of lens coupling systems and diameters of lenses. Also, cold sterilization of the camera head or body, which reduces camera life, is avoided. Cold sterilization of the camera, i.e., cold soaking in sterilizing solutions such as glutereldahydes, reduce camera life by approximately one-third and require significant time periods in which to complete the sterilization process. One must note that heat or steam sterilization procedures are not available as these procedures tend to destroy the cameras. Thus, unless some type of barrier between the scope and the camera is utilized during a surgical procedure, taking into account the time required for cold sterilization, a significant number of cameras will be required for use in operating room environments.  
           [0006]    It is also known that surgeons tend to utilize a variety of scopes during a single procedure which, without a barrier between the scope(s) and the camera, will tend to contaminate the camera requiring sterilization. The exchange of two or more scopes with the camera would normally require the changing of the barrier. However, the sterile barrier system of the present invention provides for repeated use without tearing, as the elastomeric film utilized across the ring resists tearing while stretching to accommodate the mount coupling of the scope.  
           [0007]    It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a tear resistant, elastomeric film, which is optically transparent, for use in creating a barrier for imaging of internal organs and cavities of human using one or more scope arrangements attached to a camera imaging system.  
           [0008]    It is also an object of the present invention to extend a second barrier rearward over the camera body, and over the cabling, a distance sufficient to prevent contamination of difficult to clean surfaces, or surfaces which are difficult to disinfect.  
           [0009]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a universal mount coupling system using the elastomeric film as the coupling device so that all camera imaging systems and their matable scopes can use the sterile barrier.  
           [0010]    Other objects will appear hereinafter.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    The present invention may be described as a sterile barrier cover or drape for use with surgical endoscopic camera systems, or the like, which utilizes an optically clear elastomeric film for separation of the scope and the camera lens while maintaining a sterile field separation between the camera and the mating scope during exploratory and surgical procedures. The retention of the sterile field eliminates the need for subsequent cold sterilization of the camera “head” (lens and body), as well as the intervating cabling. Further, the inherent abrasion and tear resistance of the film barrier allows for the interchanging of several scopes during a single procedure without puncturing the film barrier, or tearing the film, when mount coupling or decoupling a scope.  
           [0012]    The present invention may be described in further detail as a disposable cover and drape for an endoscopic camera system having an optically clear elastomeric film mounted across the annular opening of a first ring segment which ring segment is insertable between an elongate lens assembly for insertion into a human body cavity and a mating camera coupler. The first ring segment is appropriately dimensioned to cooperatively mate with and be secured to a second ring segment carrying an expandable flexible plastic tube having a first open end mounted to the annular opening of the second ring segment and a second open end for expanding over and substantially covering the camera system for preventing contamination of the outer surfaces of said camera system in conjunction with a surgical or exploratory procedure. The elastomeric film separating the camera coupler and the elongate lens has sufficient elastic memory to accept repeated mounting and de-mounting of one or more elongate lens assemblies without tearing, cracking, splitting or rupturing such that said elastomeric film remains intact and free of distortion. An alternate embodiment of the invention includes a third ring segment positioned intermediate the first and second ring segments such that each of the ring segments cooperatively mates with a third ring segment.  
           [0013]    The optically clear elastomeric film may be made from a material selected from a group of elastomeric urethanes: including polyether or polyester based aliphatic, polycaprolactate aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic, or any blend thereof, or may be made from elastomeric silicones. The optically clear elastomeric film also has certain physical characteristics and properties which permit clear visual acuity through the film regardless of the exchange of elongate. Further, the expandable flexible plastic tube may be made from any waterproof elastomeric or plastic material having a flexibility to collapse and extend over the camera system and associated cabling to protect the camera system from contamination. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a side plan view of the cover and drape of the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the cover and drape of the present invention showing the intervening elastomeric film barrier and mounting ring.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the elastomeric film barrier, mounting ring and drape of the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along Line  4 - 4  of FIG. 3.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]    The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. The description is not intended in a limiting sense, and is made solely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention. The various features and advantages of the present invention may be more readily understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
         [0020]    Referring now to the drawings in detail, where like numerals refer to like parts or elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 the sterile barrier  10  of the present invention interposed between an endoscope  12  and a camera imaging system  14 . One can better see the individual elements of the barrier  10  by reference to FIG. 2. The barrier  10  has three principle parts. These parts are the flexible, optically transparent, tear resistant elastomeric film  16  which is stretched across the opening and between a pair of matable cooperating ring segments  18  and a distending drape of a flexible plastic material  20 . The ring segments  18  retain the film in a stretched condition across the internal aperture of the ring segments  18 . See FIG. 4. The elastomeric film  16  forms a sterile barrier between the endoscope (or other “scope”)  12  and the camera imaging system  14 , as well as serving as the coupler device for supporting and holding the ring segments  18  and drape  20  in position shielding the camera lens, body and cabling from contamination.  
         [0021]    The optically transparent elastomeric film  16  is held tautly across the aperture of the ring segments  18   a ,  18   b  and is clamped between the cooperatively mating portions on the juxtaposed periphery of the ring segments as shown in FIG. 4. The drape portion  20  of the barrier  10 , which covers the camera  14  is clamped within the same cooperatively mating portions of the ring segments  18   a ,  18   b . The elastomeric film  16  is die cut to a circle slightly larger than the aperture of the ring segments  18   a ,  18   b . The drape portion  20  is formed as a tube tapering to an opening also slightly larger than the aperture of the ring segments  18   a ,  18   b . Both the elastomeric film  16  and the drape portion  20  of the barrier  10  are positioned between the ring segments  18   a ,  18   b  and the rings are press-fit together such that the flange  22  of ring segment  18   a  captures both the elastomeric film  16  and the drape  20  against the collar  24  of ring segment  18   b . The drape portion  20  of the barrier  10  can also be attached to ring segment  18   b  by affixing the peripheral edge of the opening of the elongated tapered tube to the back of ring segment  18   b  as shown in FIG. 3. In this manner the drape portion  20  extends away from the scope  12  and along and over the camera imaging system  14  from the outer circumference of the ring segment  18   b.    
         [0022]    The elastomeric film  16  can also be attached to ring segment  18   a  by affixing the peripheral edge of the film  16  to the front of the ring segment  18   a . In this manner the elastomeric film  16  still provides a covering or barrier across the lens of the camera system  14  The ring segments  18   a ,  18   b  cooperatively act to join the film  16  (covering the front (lens) of the camera system) with the drape  20  (covering the remainder of the camera system) to form a sterile barrier  10  over the entire camera system. Elastomeric film  16  also provides both an optically transparent lens between the “scope” and the camera lens and a base for coupling the barrier  10  to the combined scope/camera system.  
         [0023]    Other methods of attaching the elastomeric film  16  and the drape  20  to the ring segments  18  are to be considered as part of the present invention. These methods include, but are not limited to, heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, all manners of adhesive attachment, or any other means of attaching the two ring segments together, or to an intermediary ring.  
         [0024]    The optically clear elastomeric film  16  may be selected from one of the following types of elastomeric urethanes: polyether or polyester based aliphatic, polycaprolactate aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic, or any blend thereof, and certain elastomeric silicones. The elastomeric film  16  should exhibit the following physical characteristics. It is recommended to have an elongation or elasticity factor of between 100% to 1000%, a hardness over the range of 50 Shore A to 50 Shore D, a modulus of 1.0 to 15.0 MPa at 100% elongation and 2.0 to 50.0 at 300% elongation, and exhibit a resistance to tearing or abrading with a clarity of optically transparent to provide optimum visual acuity. The drape  20  may be selected from any waterproof elastomeric or plastic material having a flexibility to collapse and extend in accordion-like fashion and have a thickness in the range of 1 mil to 5 mils.  
         [0025]    When the barrier  10  is utilized, the camera system  14  with its associated cabling is inserted into the drape  20  which has already been attached to the elastomeric film  16  by utilizing ring segments  18   a ,  18   b  in accordance with the foregoing description. Then, with the elastomeric film  16  positioned in front of or against the lens of the camera  14 , and with the barrier  10  held in place, the scope  12  is positioned on the opposite side of the film  16  as shown in FIG. 2. In this drawing, the coupling mount between the scope  12  and the camera  14  is internal such that the scope  12  is pushed inward extending the film  16  down and into the mount of the camera lens. The scope  12  may be secured either by a bayonet twist coupling or by a spring release detent and clamp, either can be used without tearing or rupturing the film  16 . In the event that a different scope  12  needs to be utilized, the uncoupling is accomplished by reversing the process and mounting the different scope  12  to the camera system  14 , but without the necessity of replacing the sterile barrier  10 . The elastomeric film  16  accommodates the elongation of the distance necessary for the mounting member of the scope  12  to extend into, or over, the camera lens mount so that a coupling can occur, all without tear, crack, split or rupture so that the barrier  10  remains intact and free of wrinkles which could cause visual distortion. Once the barrier  10  is in position between the scope  12  and the camera system  14 , the drape  20  can then be extended over the camera system  14  and its cables to protect them from any unwanted contamination.  
         [0026]    In this manner the present invention provides a coupling base for the connection of the scope  12  and camera imaging system  14 , without the need for additional mounts and coupling apparatus, and a structural base for the extension of the drape  20  over the remaining portions of the camera imaging system  14  behind the lens mount. Further, the present invention also provides for the continuing integrity of the barrier  10  even if an interchange of scopes  12  may be necessary, without any compromise of the sterile barrier  10  by a rupture in the film  16  compromising the sterile field and exposing complex optical and electronic camera parts to the need for sterilization.  
         [0027]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as being illustrative and not restrictive, with the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing detailed description, as indicating the scope of the invention as well as all modifications which may fall within a range of equivalency which are also intended to be embraced therein.