Flexible endoscopic apparatus and methods of use

摘要

An attachment for an endoscope is disclosed, the attachment comprising a flexible extension portion for extending an optical output of the endoscope eyepiece to a remote location for direct visualization at the remote location, a coupling for optically coupling one end of the flexible extension portion to the endoscope, and a mechanism for stably positioning a remote end of the flexible extension portion in front of an eye of a person at the remote location. The flexible extension portion will preferably include a receiving lens for receiving light from the endoscope eyepiece, an elongate, sheathed optical fiber having one end connected to the receiving lens, another eyepiece connected to the remote end of the optical fiber, and the optical fiber is of sufficient length and flexibility to permit the receiving lens to be freely rotated and manipulated while the remote eyepiece is stably positioned by the positioning mechanism.