Portable arthroscope with periscope optics.

摘要

A disposable arthroscope for examining the interior of a joint (14) and for carrying out therapeutic procedures within the joint includes an elongated needle (56) mounted by its proximal end to an injection-moulded scope assembly (80). The needle (56) is a hollow tube which surrounds an image guide (32) and a bundle (34) of illuminating fibers that extend through the tube. A lens (48) is attached to the distal end of the image guide (32) and is slightly angled relative to the longitudinal axis (44) of the needle. The proximal ends of both the image guide (32) and the bundle (34) of illuminating fibers extend from the proximal end of the needle (56) through the chamber (88) of the scope assembly (80). The disposable arthroscope is engageable with a camera (118) and with a light source (20) to position the camera in light communication with the image guide (32), and to position the light source (20) in light communication with the bundle (34). <IMAGE>