Patent ID: 8038602

Claim:
A method of performing orthopedic imaging comprising: attaching a disposable sheath to a handle, the disposable sheath having a distal window, an outer tube with a diameter of less than 2 mm and an inner tube, such that the disposable sheath overlies a fiber optic imaging bundle that extends within an outer imaging tube, the disposable sheath having a mounting mechanism that attaches a proximal end of the sheath to the handle, the handle including an imaging device that is optically coupled to the fiber optic imaging bundle with a lens that enlarges an image for detection by the imaging device; inserting the sheath with the attached fiber optic imaging bundle through a cannula and into an orthopedic site of a patient; illuminating the site within the patient with light from a light source connected to an array of illumination optical fibers that fill an annular cavity between the outer tube and the inner tube of the disposable sheath, the illumination optical fibers forming an annular optical fiber array that is concentric about the outer imaging tube and fiber optic imaging bundle, the illumination optical fibers having a proximal end at a sheath light interface that is optically coupled to a handle light interface when the disposable sheath is attached to the handle; imaging the site using the fiber optic imaging bundle without insertion of a distention and irrigation fluid at the site to perform a first imaging procedure; after the first imaging procedure, removing the disposable sheath from the handle; and attaching a second disposable sheath to the handle to perform a second imaging procedure.