US5961441A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical otoscope and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1996-06-11
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Granted: 1999-10-05
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Expires: 2016-06-11
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is directed to a surgical otoscope for examining and operating upon the external ear canal and tympanum. The surgical otoscope comprises an optical diagnostic instrument and an adapter member attached thereto. An image conveyer and a light transmitter are located within the optical-diagnostic instrument and extend therefrom and into the adapter member. The adapter member includes extendable and retractable surgical instrumentation and a suction tube. The combination of optical diagnostic and surgical instrumentation in the same device a enables a physician to simultaneously examine and operate upon the external ear canal and tympanum. Accordingly, the physician may selectively use the instruments while viewing the areas to be examined or operated upon through the same device.
Inventors
- 👤 Todd R. Plumb
- 👤 Denise Balls
- 👤 Dale C. Dunn
- 👤 Carlos Garrido
- 👤 Matthew W. McClelland
- 👤 Rodolfo Pena
- 👤 W. Douglas Stout
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:15
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/012; A61B1/018; A61B1/015; A61B1/227; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/3205; A61B17/3207; A61B17/320708; A61B2017/00743; A61B2017/00787; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61B17/3421; A61B2017/3445
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A hand-held surgical otoscope comprising a hollow tubular member, at least one surgical instrument extendable therethrough, an actuation element positioned on the hollow tubular member and operably connected to the surgical instrument, an image transmission component extendable substantially through the length of the hollow tubular member, and a light communication component extendable substantially through the length of the hollow tubular member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A hand-held surgical otoscope comprising a hollow tubular member, at least one surgical instrument extendable therethrough, an actuation element positioned on the hollow tubular member and operably connected to the surgical instrument, an image transmission component extendable substantially through the length of the hollow tubular member, and a light communication component extendable substantially through the length of the hollow tubular member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The hand-held surgical otoscope of claim 1, wherein the surgical instrument is extendable from and retractable into the hollow tubular member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The hand-held surgical otoscope of claim 1, wherein the hollow tubular member comprises an insertion tube extending therefrom which is insertable into an external ear canal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The hand-held surgical otoscope of claim 3, wherein the hollow tubular member includes a debris removal component.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The hand-held surgical otoscope of claim 3, wherein the image transmission component includes a direct view optical pathway through the hollow tubular member and extending into an optical body member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The hand-held surgical otoscope of claim 3, wherein the light communication component comprises a fiber optic element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
97 words
A hand-held surgical otoscope comprising: an optical body member having an image transmission component and a light communication component which extend from the optical body member; a hollow adapter member attached to the optical body member and including an insertion tube extending therefrom, a suction tube, a plurality of instruments extendable from and retractable into the insertion tube, the image transmission component and the light communication component extending from the optical body member and through the insertion tube; and at least one actuation element operably connected to one of the instruments and positioned on the adapter member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
97 words
A hand-held surgical otoscope comprising: an optical body member having an image transmission component and a light communication component which extend from the optical body member; a hollow adapter member attached to the optical body member and including an insertion tube extending therefrom, a suction tube, a plurality of instruments extendable from and retractable into the insertion tube, the image transmission component and the light communication component extending from the optical body member and through the insertion tube; and at least one actuation element operably connected to one of the instruments and positioned on the adapter member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The hand-held otoscope of claim 7, wherein the image transmission component includes a direct view optical pathway through the insertion tube extending into the optical body member to the image transmission component.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The hand-held otoscope of claim 7, wherein the light communication component comprises a fiber optic element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The hand-held otoscope of claim 9, wherein one of the instruments comprises a clamp element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The hand-held otoscope of claim 9, wherein one of the instruments comprises a cutting element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The hand-held otoscope of claim 9, wherein one of the instruments comprises a curette.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The hand-held otoscope of claim 7, wherein one of the instruments comprises a probe.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-10-04 | 2003-04-05 | 2003-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-04 | 2007-04-05 | 2007-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-04 | 2011-04-05 | 2011-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |