AN ABDOMINAL OBSERVATION DEVICE

摘要

The invention is a medical imaging device that enables observation within the abdominal and pelvic cavity at a wide field of view and enables medical procedures to be carried out within the wide field of view. The medical imaging device of the invention comprises a central assembly and a sterile disposable cover, which is slipped over the central assembly. The central assembly comprises a proximal portion, which remains outside of the abdominal cavity of the patient, and a distal portion, which is inserted into the abdominal cavity through a slit made in the abdominal wall by the surgeon. A first plurality of light emitting diodes is circumferentially distributed around the outer surface of the central assembly near the top of the distal portion and a reversibly inflatable balloon is circumferentially attached to the cover at the location of the first plurality of diodes. When the balloon is inflated and the first array of light emitting diodes is activated to produce light, then the light enters the interior of the balloon, is repeatedly reflected from the inner walls of the balloon until it eventually passes through the wall of the balloon at random angles thereby illuminating the entire interior of the abdominal and pelvic cavities. The invention is also a system comprising the medical imaging device, an observation unit comprising control means, processing means, and display means; and means for communicating between the medical imaging device and the observation unit.