MEDICO-SURGICAL VIEWING DEVICES

摘要

A video viewing device 10, such as for use in inserting medical tubes 3, has an outer bendable sleeve 80 and an inner assembly comprising an electrical assembly 20 of a camera 11, cable 13 and connector 14 secured in a channel-shape support member 40. The inner assembly 20, 40 is threaded along the outer sleeve 80 so that the camera 11 is positioned at one end 12 and the connector 14 at its opposite end. The support member 40 is preferably made of two lengths 40A and 40B of different stiffness joined end to end with an angled butt join 42, the length towards the patient end 12 being more flexible so that the rear end of the viewing device 10 is stiffer than its patient end. An angled Coudé tip 121 is formed subsequently, the correct orientation of the camera 11 relative to the angle of the tip being achieved by viewing the image of a target 91, rotating the viewing device 10 until the output is at the desired orientation, then placing the device in an angled jig 93 and subjecting it to heat treatment to set the angle of the inclined tip.