Rigid endoscope with disposable outer sleeve e.g. for medical and veterinary use

摘要

The endoscope (21) has a rigid tube (22), which carries a bundle (36) of optical fibres from the proximal end to a ring inside the distal end. These fibres carry light from a light source (37) to the area to be investigated. The light reflected is carried to the eye of the user via a lens system. In use, the endoscope is inserted into the open end of a thin walled outer sleeve (23) of supple plastic. The distal end of the sleeve is closed by a transparent window (24), which allows passage to the illuminating light and the image light. The endoscope and its sleeve are inserted into the patient's body (39), via a hollow needle (40).