ENDOSCOPY SYSTEMS

• US 20090287058A1
• Filed: 07/04/2007
• Published: 11/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smart Medical Systems Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Smart Medical Systems Ltd.
• Inventors: Terliuc, Gad
• Granted Patent: US 8,529,440 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/178
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00154 using guiding arrangements for insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/005 Flexible endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments

Abstract

An endoscope insertion assembly for performing endoscopy, including an endoscope insertion tube operative for passage through a body cavity, and an optical assembly operative for inspection of the body cavity, the optical assembly being selectably insertable within the endoscope insertion tube.

Claims

1. An endoscope insertion assembly for performing endoscopy, comprising:

an endoscope insertion tube operative for passage through a body cavity; and

an optical assembly operative for inspection of said body cavity,

said optical assembly being selectably insertable within said endoscope insertion tube.

2. An endoscope insertion assembly according to claim 1 and wherein said optical assembly is selectably detachable from said endoscope insertion tube.

3. An endoscope insertion assembly according to claim 1 and also comprising a coupling element operative for engaging said optical assembly with said endoscope insertion tube.

4. An endoscope insertion assembly according to claim 3 and wherein said endoscope insertion tube and said coupling element are operative to isolate said optical assembly from fluids external to said endoscope insertion assembly.

5. An endoscope insertion assembly according to claim 3 and wherein said coupling element comprises an optical window adapted for inspection by said optical assembly therethrough.

6. An endoscope insertion assembly according to claim 1 and further comprising a pulling element operative for selectably inserting said optical assembly within said endoscope insertion tube.

7. An endoscope insertion assembly according to claim 6 and also comprising a coupling element operative for engaging said optical assembly with said endoscope insertion tube, and wherein said pulling element is detachably engaged with said coupling element for selectable detachment therefrom.

8. An endoscope insertion assembly according to claim 1 and also comprising a mechanical stopper operative to prevent said optical assembly from being pulled out and frontward of said endoscope insertion tube.

9. An endoscope insertion assembly according to claim 1 and wherein said endoscope insertion tube further comprises an instrument channel.

10. An endoscope insertion assembly according to claim 1 and wherein said endoscope insertion tube is a flexible endoscope insertion tube.

11. An endoscope insertion assembly according to claim 1 and wherein said endoscope insertion tube is generally fluid impermeable.

12. An endoscope insertion assembly for performing endoscopy, comprising:

an endoscope insertion tube for passage through a body cavity; and

an optical assembly for inspection of said body cavity,

said optical assembly being selectably removable from said endoscope insertion tube.

13. An endoscope insertion assembly according to claim 12 and wherein said optical assembly is selectably insertable within said endoscope insertion tube.

14. A method for preparing an endoscope insertion assembly for performing endoscopy, comprising:

providing said endoscope insertion assembly including an endoscope insertion tube operative for passage through a body cavity, and an optical assembly operative for inspection of said body cavity; and

selectably inserting said optical assembly within said endoscope insertion tube.

15. A method for preparing an endoscope insertion assembly for performing endoscopy according to claim 14 and also comprising inspecting said body cavity employing said endoscope insertion assembly.

16. A method for preparing an endoscope insertion assembly for performing endoscopy according to claim 15 and also comprising removing said optical assembly from said endoscope insertion tube following said inspection.

17. A method for preparing an endoscope insertion assembly for performing endoscopy according to claim 14 and also comprising engaging said optical assembly with said endoscope insertion tube by employing a coupling element.

18. A method for preparing an endoscope insertion assembly for performing endoscopy according to claim 17 and wherein said inspecting said body cavity is performed via an optical window.

19. A method for preparing an endoscope insertion assembly for performing endoscopy according to claim 14 and also comprising isolating said optical assembly from fluids external to said endoscope insertion assembly.

20. A method for preparing an endoscope insertion assembly for performing endoscopy according to claim 14 and wherein said inserting is performed by a pulling element operative for selectably inserting said optical assembly within said endoscope insertion tube.

21. A method for preparing an endoscope insertion assembly for performing endoscopy according to claim 20 and wherein said pulling element is detachably engaged with said coupling element for selectable detachment therefrom.

22. A method for preparing an endoscope insertion assembly for performing endoscopy according to claim 14 and also comprising preventing said optical assembly from being pulled out and frontward of said endoscope insertion tube by employing a mechanical stopper.