Endoscope electronics assembly
First Claim
1. A method for assembling an endoscope that includes an imaging subassembly inside an insertion tube having distal and proximal ends, the method comprising:
- coupling the imaging subassembly to a plurality of wires, which have respective first and second ends, by fixing the first ends of the wires to the imaging subassembly;
coupling a connector to the wires by fixing the second ends of the wires to the connector;
after coupling the imaging subassembly and the connector to the wires, installing the imaging subassembly in the insertion tube by passing the connector through the insertion tube from the distal end of the insertion tube to the proximal end; and
after passing the connector through the insertion tube, inserting the connector in a receptacle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for assembling an endoscope that includes an imaging subassembly inside an insertion tube having distal and proximal ends. The method includes coupling the imaging subassembly to a plurality of wires, which have respective first and second ends, by fixing the first ends of the wires to the imaging subassembly. A connector is coupled to the wires by fixing the second ends of the wires to the connector. After coupling the imaging subassembly and the connector to the wires, the imaging subassembly is installed in the insertion tube by passing the connector through the insertion tube from the distal end of the insertion tube to the proximal end. After passing the connector through the insertion tube, the connector is inserted in a receptacle.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for assembling an endoscope that includes an imaging subassembly inside an insertion tube having distal and proximal ends, the method comprising:
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coupling the imaging subassembly to a plurality of wires, which have respective first and second ends, by fixing the first ends of the wires to the imaging subassembly;
coupling a connector to the wires by fixing the second ends of the wires to the connector;
after coupling the imaging subassembly and the connector to the wires, installing the imaging subassembly in the insertion tube by passing the connector through the insertion tube from the distal end of the insertion tube to the proximal end; and
after passing the connector through the insertion tube, inserting the connector in a receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An electronic assembly for use in an endoscope that includes an insertion tube, the assembly comprising:
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an imaging subassembly, comprising an image sensor;
an elongate connector, which has an axis and comprises a first array of conductive elements disposed along the axis, and which has transverse dimensions that are sufficiently small to permit the connector to pass through the insertion tube of the endoscope; and
wires, which have respective first ends that are fixed to the imaging subassembly and respective second ends that are fixed to the connector so as to electrically couple the imaging subassembly to the conductive elements of the connector. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A connector assembly, comprising:
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an elongate connector, which has an axis and comprises a first array of conductive elements disposed along the axis, and which is adapted for coupling of respective wires to the conductive elements;
a receptacle, of a size and shape suitable for receiving the connector, and comprising a second array of conductive pads, positioned so as to be aligned with the first array when the connector is inserted in the receptacle; and
an elastomeric material, which comprises alternating conductive and non-conductive layers, and which is adapted to be held in the receptacle between the first and second arrays so as to provide electrical contact between the conductive elements and the conductive pads when the connector is inserted in the receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. An endoscope, comprising:
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an insertion tube having distal and proximal ends and having an internal dimension;
an electronic assembly, which is installed inside the insertion tube, and comprises;
an imaging subassembly, comprising an image sensor, positioned in the distal end of the insertion tube;
an elongate connector, which protrudes from the proximal end of the insertion tube, and which has transverse dimensions that are smaller than the internal dimension of the insertion tube; and
wires, which pass through the insertion tube and which have respective first ends that are fixed to the imaging subassembly and respective second ends that are fixed to the connector so as to electrically couple the imaging subassembly to the connector; and
a processing assembly, comprising a receptacle that is adapted to receive the connector outside the proximal end of the insertion tube. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification