US20040199052A1 — Endoscopic imaging system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 117 words

1 . An imaging endoscope, comprising: a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; an illumination port at the distal end of the shaft for illuminating tissue; an imaging port at the distal end of the shaft that includes an imaging sensor to produce an image of the tissue; a plastically deformable articulation joint disposed at the distal end of the shaft comprising a molded or extruded polymeric cylinder having a central lumen and a number of control cable lumens disposed about the circumference of the cylinder; a number of live hinges formed in the cylinder; and a number of control cables that are selectively activated to bend the articulation joint in a desired direction.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 117 words

1 . An imaging endoscope, comprising: a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; an illumination port at the distal end of the shaft for illuminating tissue; an imaging port at the distal end of the shaft that includes an imaging sensor to produce an image of the tissue; a plastically deformable articulation joint disposed at the distal end of the shaft comprising a molded or extruded polymeric cylinder having a central lumen and a number of control cable lumens disposed about the circumference of the cylinder; a number of live hinges formed in the cylinder; and a number of control cables that are selectively activated to bend the articulation joint in a desired direction.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 26 words

2 . The imaging endoscope of claim 1 , further comprising a working channel lumen in the shaft through which a medical device may be passed.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 30 words

3 . The imaging endoscope of claim 1 wherein each live hinge comprises two or more diametrically opposed angled cutouts in the polymeric cylinder that are joined by flexible webs.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 23 words

4 . The imaging endoscope of claim 3 , wherein the control cables are aligned with the flexible webs of the live hinges.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 23 words

5 . The imaging endoscope of claim 3 , wherein the control cables are offset from the flexible webs of the live hinges.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 27 words

6 . The imaging endoscope of claim 3 , wherein adjacent live hinges along the length of the articulation joint are rotated with respect to each other.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 18 words

7 . The imaging endoscope of claim 1 , wherein the shaft is coated with a lubricious material.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 16 words

8 . The imaging endoscope of claim 1 , wherein the shaft includes an insufflation/irrigation lumen.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 21 words

9 . The imaging endoscope of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the shaft includes a spiral wrap.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 27 words

10 . The imaging endoscope of claim 9 , wherein the spiral wrap is approximately 0.060 inches thick and has a pitch of about {fraction (3/16)} inches.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 26 words

11 . The imaging endoscope of claim 1 , wherein the articulation joint comprises an extruded cylinder made of two or more materials having different durometers.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 22 words

12 . The imaging endoscope of claim 11 , wherein the control cable lumens are within a material having a higher durometer.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 21 words

13 . The imaging endoscope of claim 1 , wherein the shaft is covered by a sleeve that includes wound wrap.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 29 words

14 . The imaging endoscope of claim 16 , wherein the wrap has a number of threads and a pitch selected to adjust the torque characteristics of the shaft.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 20 words

15 . The imaging endoscope of claim 16 , wherein the threads of the wound wrap are made of wire.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 21 words

16 . The imaging endoscope of claim 16 , wherein the wound wrap has two or more threads that are braided.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 22 words

17 . The imaging endoscope of claim 1 , wherein the articulation joint is longitudinally retractable by tensioning all the control cables.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 22 words

18 . The imaging endoscope of claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve that selectively exposes the distal end of the endoscope.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 92 words

19 . An imaging endoscope, comprising: a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; an illumination port at the distal end of the shaft for illuminating tissue; an imaging port at the distal end of the shaft that includes an imaging sensor to produce an image of the tissue; a plastically deformable articulation joint wherein the articulation joint includes a number of stacked annular disks each having a number of holes through which the control cables pass and camming surfaces that engage an adjacent annular disk in the articulation joint.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 92 words

19 . An imaging endoscope, comprising: a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; an illumination port at the distal end of the shaft for illuminating tissue; an imaging port at the distal end of the shaft that includes an imaging sensor to produce an image of the tissue; a plastically deformable articulation joint wherein the articulation joint includes a number of stacked annular disks each having a number of holes through which the control cables pass and camming surfaces that engage an adjacent annular disk in the articulation joint.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 24 words

20 . The imaging endoscope of claim 19 , wherein the camming surfaces of adjacent annular disks are rotated with respect to each other.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 163 words

21 . An imaging endoscopic system, comprising: a control cabinet including a number of actuators that operate to control the orientation of an endoscope; an imaging board for producing images received from an image sensor in an endoscope; one or more valves to control the delivery of an irrigation fluid and insufflation air/gas to one or more lumens in an endoscope; a handheld controller including a number of controls that can be activated by a physician to supply commands to the control cabinet; and a single use endoscope that is connectable to the control cabinet, the endoscope including: a shaft with a proximal end and a distal end; an illumination mechanism for illuminating tissue; an image sensor at the distal end of the endoscope for producing images of tissue; an articulation joint that permits the distal end of the endoscope to move; and a number of control cables that are selectively tensioned by the actuators to orient the distal tip of the endoscope.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 163 words

21 . An imaging endoscopic system, comprising: a control cabinet including a number of actuators that operate to control the orientation of an endoscope; an imaging board for producing images received from an image sensor in an endoscope; one or more valves to control the delivery of an irrigation fluid and insufflation air/gas to one or more lumens in an endoscope; a handheld controller including a number of controls that can be activated by a physician to supply commands to the control cabinet; and a single use endoscope that is connectable to the control cabinet, the endoscope including: a shaft with a proximal end and a distal end; an illumination mechanism for illuminating tissue; an image sensor at the distal end of the endoscope for producing images of tissue; an articulation joint that permits the distal end of the endoscope to move; and a number of control cables that are selectively tensioned by the actuators to orient the distal tip of the endoscope.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 23 words

22 . The imaging endoscope system of claim 21 , wherein the proximal end of the endoscope is connectable to the control cabinet.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 23 words

23 . The imaging endoscopic system of claim 21 , wherein the endoscope is connected to the control cabinet through the handheld controller.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 24 words

24 . The imaging endoscopic system of claim 21 , wherein the handheld controller is connected to the control cabinet through a wired link.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 24 words

25 . The imaging endoscopic system of claim 21 wherein the handheld controller is connected to the motion control cabinet through a wireless link.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 111 words

26 . A system for obtaining images of a patient's internal body cavity, comprising: a reusable control cabinet including: means for controlling the movement of a distal end of an endoscope; means for controlling the delivery of an irrigation fluid and/or an insufflation air/gas to lumen(s) of the endoscope; means for producing images of tissue received from signals produced by an image sensor at the distal end of an endoscope; an input mechanism for supplying signals to control the operation of the control cabinet; and a disposable endoscope that is connectable to the control cabinet that obtains images of tissue in the body cavity and is controllable by the control cabinet.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 111 words

26 . A system for obtaining images of a patient's internal body cavity, comprising: a reusable control cabinet including: means for controlling the movement of a distal end of an endoscope; means for controlling the delivery of an irrigation fluid and/or an insufflation air/gas to lumen(s) of the endoscope; means for producing images of tissue received from signals produced by an image sensor at the distal end of an endoscope; an input mechanism for supplying signals to control the operation of the control cabinet; and a disposable endoscope that is connectable to the control cabinet that obtains images of tissue in the body cavity and is controllable by the control cabinet.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 25 words

27 . The system of claim 26 , wherein the input mechanism comprises a handheld controller connected to the control cabinet with a wired link.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 25 words

28 . The system of claim 26 , wherein the input mechanism comprises a handheld controller connected to the control cabinet with a wireless link.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 106 words

29 . An endoscope, comprising: a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a central lumen extending therethrough; an illumination port at the distal end of the shaft; an imaging port including an image sensor at the distal end of the shaft; an articulation joint at or adjacent the distal end of the shaft comprising a molded or extruded polymeric cylinder having a number of hinge mechanisms that can be opened and closed to bend the distal end of the shaft; and a number of control cables that are selectively tensioned to close one or more of the hinge mechanisms of the articulation joint.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 106 words

29 . An endoscope, comprising: a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a central lumen extending therethrough; an illumination port at the distal end of the shaft; an imaging port including an image sensor at the distal end of the shaft; an articulation joint at or adjacent the distal end of the shaft comprising a molded or extruded polymeric cylinder having a number of hinge mechanisms that can be opened and closed to bend the distal end of the shaft; and a number of control cables that are selectively tensioned to close one or more of the hinge mechanisms of the articulation joint.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 17 words

30 . The endoscope of claim 29 , wherein the shaft is coated with a hydrophilic coating.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 16 words

31 . The endoscope of claim 29 , wherein the shaft includes a spiral wrap therein.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 19 words

32 . The endoscope of claim 29 , wherein the illumination port includes a number of light emitting diodes.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 27 words

33 . The endoscope of claim 29 , wherein the illumination port includes a number of optical fibers that direct illumination light received from an external source.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 24 words

34 . The endoscope of claim 29 wherein the polymeric articulation joint is formed of two or more materials each having a different durometer.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 28 words

35 . The endoscope of claim 34 , wherein the control cables pass through lumens in the articulation joint that are within a material having a higher durometer.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 22 words

36 . The endoscope of claim 29 , wherein the hinge mechanisms are equally spaced along the length of the articulation joint.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 23 words

37 . The endoscope of claim 29 , wherein the hinge mechanisms are not equally spaced along the length of the articulation joint.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 95 words

38 . An imaging endoscope, comprising: a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a working channel lumen therein; a number of control cables that are connectable to a number of motion controllers to control the orientation of the distal tip; an articulation joint comprising a braided stent that is moved by the control cables to orient the distal tip of the endoscope; one or more light emitting diodes at the distal tip to produce illumination light; and an image sensor at the distal end of the endoscope to produce images of tissue.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 95 words

38 . An imaging endoscope, comprising: a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a working channel lumen therein; a number of control cables that are connectable to a number of motion controllers to control the orientation of the distal tip; an articulation joint comprising a braided stent that is moved by the control cables to orient the distal tip of the endoscope; one or more light emitting diodes at the distal tip to produce illumination light; and an image sensor at the distal end of the endoscope to produce images of tissue.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 23 words

39 . The imaging endoscope of claims 40 , further comprising: means for dissipating heat from the light emitting diodes and image sensor.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 52 words

40 . The imaging endoscope of claim 38 , further comprising a lumen into which a liquid or gas is delivered and an orifice in the lumen adjacent the light emitting diode and image sensor to direct the air or gas over the light emitting diodes and image sensor to dissipate heat.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 108 words

41 . An endoscope for viewing internal body cavities of a patient, comprising: a shaft having a central lumen and a braid embedded within a wall of the shaft; a plastically deformable articulation joint at or adjacent a distal end of the endoscope, the articulation joint including a number of live hinges and lumens through which control cables are passed; a number of control cables within the lumens of the articulation joint; wherein the distal end of the endoscope may be turned in a desired direction by selectively tightening control cables and the distal tip of the endoscope can be retracted by tightening all the control cables simultaneously.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 108 words

41 . An endoscope for viewing internal body cavities of a patient, comprising: a shaft having a central lumen and a braid embedded within a wall of the shaft; a plastically deformable articulation joint at or adjacent a distal end of the endoscope, the articulation joint including a number of live hinges and lumens through which control cables are passed; a number of control cables within the lumens of the articulation joint; wherein the distal end of the endoscope may be turned in a desired direction by selectively tightening control cables and the distal tip of the endoscope can be retracted by tightening all the control cables simultaneously.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 16 words

42 . The endoscope of claim 45 , wherein the control cables are made of metal.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 16 words

43 . The endoscope of claim 45 , wherein the control cables are made of PET.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 21 words

44 . The endoscope of claim 41 , wherein the control cables are routed within spiral wrapped lumens within the sleeve.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 100 words

45 . An endoscope for viewing internal body cavities of a patient, comprising: a shaft having a lumen therein; an articulation joint at or near the distal end of the shaft for selectively orienting the distal end of the shaft; an imaging system positioned at or adjacent the distal end of the shaft including a light source and an image sensor for capturing images of the patient's body cavity; and a retractable sleeve that selectively uncovers the distal end of the shaft for use with a patient and recovers the distal end of the shaft after a patient examination procedure.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 100 words

45 . An endoscope for viewing internal body cavities of a patient, comprising: a shaft having a lumen therein; an articulation joint at or near the distal end of the shaft for selectively orienting the distal end of the shaft; an imaging system positioned at or adjacent the distal end of the shaft including a light source and an image sensor for capturing images of the patient's body cavity; and a retractable sleeve that selectively uncovers the distal end of the shaft for use with a patient and recovers the distal end of the shaft after a patient examination procedure.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 27 words

46 . The endoscope of claim 45 , wherein the retractable sleeve is connected to a gripper on the shaft that is used to rotate the shaft.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 32 words

47 . The endoscope of claim 46 , wherein the shaft is coated with a hydrophilic coating and the gripper includes a sponge that can be wetted to activate the hydrophilic coating.

Endoscopic imaging system

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