SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an uninterruptible light source for an endoscope.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a light source for an endoscope having a pair of light sources.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a light source for an endoscope wherein the pair of light sources serve as primary light source and secondary light source. 

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a light source for an endoscope wherein the primary light source is singularly actuatable with the secondary light source acting as backup

Another object of the present invention is to provide a light source for an endoscope incorporating means for switching between the primary and secondary light source. 

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a light source for an endoscope wherein said switching means includes sensor means for indicating failure of the primary light source.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a light source whereby said indicator causes the switching means to actuate the secondary light source.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a light source wherein said switching between a first and second light source is accomplished either mechanically or optically.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a light source wherein said mechanical switching means includes alignment of the secondary light source with the endoscope light-guide cable.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a light source wherein

said optical switching means include a refraction element whereby both light sources are situated so that either actuated light source is refracted through the endoscope light-guide cable.

Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds.

The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing means and apparatus for switching either mechanically or optically between a first light source and a second backup light source when the first light source ceases to function.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow.  In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced.  These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.  In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is an uninterruptible light source of the present invention for endoscopic surgery;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the uninterruptible light source of the present invention in a primary position;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the uninterruptible light source of the present invention in a secondary position;

FIGURE 4 is a flow chart of the present invention for endoscopic surgery;

FIGURE 5 is a detailed view of the uninterruptible light source of the present invention in a primary position;

FIGURE 6 is a detailed view of the uninterruptible light source of the present invention in a secondary position;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view of the present invention; and

FIGURE 8 is the second option of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS

          Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the Uninterruptible Dual Light Source for Endoscopic Surgery of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.

10  Uninterruptible Dual Light Source for Endoscopic Surgery of the present invention

14  endoscope

16  endoscope fiber optic cable

18  primary lamp

20  primary lamp fiber optic cable

21  secondary lamp

22  secondary lampfiber optic cable

24  rotator assembly

26  actuator assembly

28  rotator bearing body

30  rotator

32  primary tool ball recess

34  secondary tool ball recess

36  tool ball

38  detent screw

40  rotator flange

42  rotator shaft

44  compression spring

45  linear roller bearing

46  normal operation stop

48  failure mode stop

50  normal operation alignment retainer

52  failure mode alignment retainer

54  solenoid

56  solenoid shaft

60  solenoid back support and tool ball bearing

62  base

64  back bracket of 62

66  sensor circuit

68  beam splitter

70  prism

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the present invention 10, an uninterruptible dual light source for endoscopic surgery.  The present invention 10 provides a primary lamp that is always in use when the light source is switched on, to supply an endoscope with light by means of medical fiber optic cables.  When the primary lamp fails prematurely or finally fails after the expected lifetime expires, electronic sensor circuitry detects the flickering or black out and activates the secondary lamp immediately and also switches the light source in less than a second from the primary lamp to the secondary lamp which then supplies an endoscope with light. This is accomplished either by mechanical or optical means

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the uninterruptible light source of the present invention 10 in a primary position.  The present invention 10 comprises a rotator assembly 24 and an actuator assembly 26 mounted on a base 62 with a back bracket 64 and a rotation lock 58.  The actuator assembly 26 comprises a solenoid 54 having a back support and tool ball bearing 60 mounted on said back bracket 64.  A sensor circuit detects when the primary lamp 18 fails and no light output is present in the primary lamp fiber optic cable 20 and the secondary lamp 21 then supplies light to the secondary lamp fiber optic cable 22 because the shaft  56 of the solenoid 54 is retracted and turns the rotator 30 counter clockwise until the mechanism aligns the secondary lamp fiber optic cable 22 with the endoscopic fiber optic cable 16 and the secondary lamp 21 supplies the endoscope 14 with light from the back-up secondary lamp 21.  During the counter clockwise movement the rotator 30 separates from the bearing body 28 by .030" to prevent damage to the fiber cables which are slightly pushed together during any operation.  The separation is created and calibrated by the primary tool ball recess 32 traveling past the tool ball 36 thereby lifting the rotator 30 away from the bearing body 28 until the tool ball 36 is aligned with the secondary tool ball recess 34, at which point the rotator 30 will once again sit flush with said rotator bearing body 28.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the uninterruptible light source of the present invention 10 in a secondary position.  The shaft 56 of the solenoid 54 is retracted and turned the rotator 30 counter clockwise until the mechanism aligned the secondary lamp fiber optic cable 22 with the endoscopic fiber optic cable 16.  The tool ball 36 and tool ball recesses 32,34 serve to provide separation between the rotator 30 and the rotator bearing body 28 and to provide general alignment of the endoscopic fiber optic cable 16 with the light providing fiber optic cables 20,22.  Precise alignment is achieved through notched out sections of the rotator forming a normal operation alignment retainer 50 and a failure mode alignment retainer 52 that engage a normal operation stop 46 and a failure mode operation stop 48 during their respective operations.  A detent screw 38 further serves to provide precise alignment which is so critical to the successful operation of the present invention 10.

FIGURE 4 is a flow chart of the present invention 10 for endoscopic surgery. Shown is a flow chart of the present invention 10, an uninterruptible medical fiberoptic light source concerns placing two light bulbs within one instant bulb change. One bulb is primary 18 and always in use when the light source is switched on, to supply an endoscope with light.  When the primary bulb 18 fails prematurly or finally fails after the expected lifetime expired, electronic sensor circuitry 66 detects the flickering or black out and activates the secondary bulb immediately and also switches the light beam in less than a second from the primary bulb to the secondary bulb which then supplies an endoscope with light. This is accomplished either by mechanical or optical means.

FIGURE 5 is a detailed view of the uninterruptible light source of the present invention 10 in a primary position.  When the primary lamp 18 fails and no light output to the endoscopic fiber cable 16 is detected, the rotator 30 is instantaneously rotated to align the secondary lamp fiber optic cable 22 therewith to provide continuous lighting with virtually no interruption to the procedure being performed.  Also shown is the rotator flange 40 that will be further addressed in the following figure.

FIGURE 6 is a detailed view of the uninterruptible light source of the present invention 10 in a secondary position. When the primary lamp 18 fails and no light output to the endoscopic fiber cable 16 is detected, the rotator 30 is instantaneously rotated to align the secondary lamp fiber optic cable 22 therewith to provide continuous lighting with virtually no interruption to the procedure being performed.  Also shown is the rotator flange 40 that will be further addressed in the following figure.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view of the present invention 10.  The rotation shaft 42 and flange 40 are mounted to the rotator 30 and precision lead with the linear roller bearing 45 which allows rotation and linear movement simultaneously.  The compression spring 44 pushes the rotator 30 and bearing body 28 together which separate (linear movement) by means of the detent screw with ball as soon as the solenoid 54 is activated and forces the rotator 30

FIGURE 8 is the second option of the present invention 10.  Shown is the beam splitter 68 of the present invention 10, the light redirection can be accomplished optically without moving parts by means of a beam splitter 68.  The design is based on a two prism 70 assembly.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

CLAIMS

 What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by letters patent is set forth in the appended claims. 

1.  A dual light source for endoscopes comprising:

a) a fiber optic cable leading to an endoscope;

b) a primary lamp to provide light to said endoscope via said fiber optic cable;

c) a secondary lamp to provide light to said endoscope via said fiber optic cable if said

    primary lamp should fail;

d) means for transferring the light source from said primary lamp to  said secondary lamp;

    and

 e) a sensor circuit to activate said light transfer means immediately upon detection of a

    failure of said primary lamp.

 2.  A dual light source for endoscopes as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a) a rotator assembly comprising:

i)  a rotator bearing body for retaining a fiber optic cable  from said primary lamp

    and a fiber optic cable from said secondary lamp;

 ii) a rotator pivotally attached in face-to-face fashion to said  

 rotator bearing body, said rotator retaining said fiber optic cable leading to said  

endoscope and configured to align and engage with said fiber optic cable from said

primary lamp or said secondary lamp; and means for separating said rotator face

from said rotator bearing body face and disengaging said endoscopic fiber optic

cable from the mating fiber optic cable; and an actuator assembly including a

solenoid switch that is activated  when said sensor circuit detects a primary lamp

failure there withdrawing a shaft into said solenoid to rotate said rotator and

switch the alignment of said endoscopic fiber optic cable from  said primary lamp to

said secondary lamp.

3.  A dual light source for endoscopes as recited in claim 2, further including a base

    plate   with back bracket for securing said rotator assembly and said actuator

     assembly in calibrated relationship to one another.

4.  A dual light source for endoscopes as recited in claim 2, wherein said rotator separation means comprises:

a) a fully rotatable tool ball disposed in said rotator bearing body and extending a  

    predetermined distance therefrom;

b) at least one detent screw in said rotator and extending into said rotator bearing body

    when fully engaged therewith; and

c) a primary tool ball recess and a secondary tool ball recess disposed in said rotator 

    wherein said recess is aligned with said tool ball when said endoscopic fiber optic cable

    s aligned respectively with said primary lamp fiber optic cable or said secondary lamp

   fiber optic cable.

5. A dual light source for endoscopes as recited in claim 2, further comprising a rotation flange mounted on the face of said rotator opposite said rotator bearing body, said rotation flange including a rotation shaft free-wheelingly extending through said rotator and said rotator bearing body.

A dual light source for endoscopes as recited in claim 5, further including a plurality of linear roller bearings in communication with the length

of said shaft and the interior surfaces of said rotator and said rotator bearing body thereby allowing for the simultaneous rotation and linear movement of said rotation shaft during rotation of sad rotator.

7.  A dual light source for endoscopes as recited in claim 6, further comprising a compression spring associated with said shaft to provide a bias urging said rotator towards said rotator bearing body.

8.  A dual light source for endoscopes as recited in claim 7, wherein said rotator further includes a pair of notched out sections forming a normal operation alignment retainer and a failure mode alignment retainer.

A dual light source for endoscopes as recited in claim 8, wherein said rotator bearing body further includes a normal operation stop and a failure mode

stop disposed on the face thereof oriented towards said rotator.

10.  A dual light source for endoscopes as recited in claim 9, wherein alignment of said endoscopic fiber optic cable and said primary lamp fiber optic cable is precisely achieved during normal operation due to the normal operation alignment retainer resting against said normal operation stop and said tool ball being inserted into said primary tool ball recess of said rotator.

11.  A dual light source for endoscopes as recited in claim 10, wherein a failure of said primary lamp is detected by said sensor circuit thereby activating said solenoid switch and retracting the associated shaft, the distal end of said shaft connected to said rotator thereby initiating the axial rotation thereof.

12.  A dual light source for endoscopes as recited in claim 11, wherein

said rotation of said rotator results in said rotator riding over said tool ball as said primary tool ball recess moves away therefrom thereby overcoming the bias presented by said compression spring and creating separation of the faces of said rotator and said rotator bearing body and, hence, the separation of the pressed together endoscopic fiber optic cable and the primary lamp fiber optic cable.

13.  A dual light source for endoscopes as recited in claim 12, wherein the alignment of said tool ball with said secondary tool ball recess allows said bias of said compression spring to urge said rotator against said rotator bearing body and press said endoscopic fiber optic cable against said secondary lamp fiber optic cable thereby reintroducing light to said endoscope.

A dual light source for endoscopes as recited in claim 13, wherein precision alignment of said endoscopic fiber optic cable and said secondary means of a beam splitter utilizing a two prism configuration

endoscopic cable is maintained by said failure mode alignment retainer resting against said failure mode stop and said detent screw resetting.

15.  A dual light source for endoscopes as recited in claim 12, wherein the separation between said rotator and said rotator bearing body is approximately, but not limited to, a distance of .030 inches.

16.  A dual light source for endoscopes as recited in claim 2, wherein said actuator assembly further includes a rotation lock, a tool ball bearing and a solenoid back support attached to said back bracket of said base.

17.  A dual light source for endoscopes as recited in claim 1, wherein the primary and secondary light sources are transferred as needed and delivered by