MULTI-CAMERA ENDOSCOPE

• US 20120053407A1
• Filed: 07/26/2011
• Published: 03/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EndoChoice Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Peer Medical Ltd.
• Inventors: Levy, Avi
• Granted Patent: US 9,101,268 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/109
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00091 Nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00177 for 90 degrees side-viewing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00181 for multiple fixed viewing angles A61B1/00193 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/005 Flexible endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/009 with bending or curvature detection of the insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/051 Details of CCD assembly
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0615 for radial illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/126 provided with means for cleaning in-use
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2423 of the distal end

Abstract

There is provided herein a tip section of a multi-camera endoscope, the tip section comprising: two or more side-pointing cameras positioned at or in proximity to a distal end of said tip section, wherein each of said two or more side-pointing cameras having a discrete illuminator associated therewith, wherein the field of view provided by the two or more side-pointing cameras covers a front and side views; a working channel configured for insertion of a surgical tool; and a pathway fluid injector for inflating and/or cleaning a body cavity into which the endoscope is inserted.

Claims

1. A tip section of a multi-camera endoscope, the tip section comprising:

two or more side-pointing cameras positioned at or in proximity to a distal end of said tip section, wherein each of said two or more side-pointing cameras having a discrete illuminator associated therewith, wherein the field of view provided by said two or more side-pointing cameras covers a front and side views;

a working channel configured for insertion of a surgical tool; and

a pathway fluid injector for inflating and/or cleaning a body cavity into which the endoscope is inserted.

2. The tip section according to claim 1, further comprising two or more side fluid injectors configured for cleaning said two or more side-pointing cameras and/or said discrete side illuminators.

3. The tip section according to claim 1, wherein said two or more side-pointing cameras are pointing at directions essentially opposing to one another.

4. The tip section according to claim 1, comprising three or more side-pointing cameras positioned essentially at equal distances from each other along the perimeter of said tip section.

5. The tip section according to claim 1, wherein each of said illuminators comprises a light-emitting diode (LED).

6. A tip section of a multi-camera endoscope, the tip section comprising:

a front-pointing camera and a discrete front illuminator associated therewith;

a front fluid injector configured for cleaning at least one of said front-pointing camera and said discrete front illuminator;

a side-pointing camera;

a working channel configured for insertion of a surgical tool; and

a pathway fluid injector for inflating and/or cleaning a body cavity into which the endoscope is inserted.

7. The tip section according to claim 6, further comprising a discrete side illuminator associated with side-pointing camera.

8. The tip section according to claim 6, further comprising a side fluid injector configured for cleaning said side-pointing camera and/or said discrete side illuminator.

9. The tip section according to claim 6, wherein said front-pointing camera and said side-pointing camera are pointing at directions essentially perpendicular to one another.

10. The Tip section according to claim 6, wherein said front-pointing camera and said side-pointing camera are pointing approximately 100 to 145 degrees relative to one another.

11. The Tip section according to claim 6, wherein each of said discrete front and side illuminators comprises a light-emitting diode (LED).

12. A multi-camera endoscope comprising:

an elongated shaft terminating with a tip section turnable by way of a bending section, wherein said tip section comprises;

two or more side-pointing cameras positioned at or in proximity to a distal end of said tip section, wherein each of said two or more side-pointing cameras having a discrete illuminator associated therewith, wherein the field of view provided by said two or more side-pointing cameras covers a front and side views;

a working channel configured for insertion of a surgical tool; and

a pathway fluid injector for inflating and/or cleaning a body cavity into which the endoscope is inserted.

13. The multi-camera endoscope according to claim 12, wherein said tip section further comprising two or more side fluid injectors configured for cleaning said two or more side-pointing cameras and/or said discrete side illuminators.

14. The multi-camera endoscope according to claim 12, wherein said two or more side-pointing cameras are pointing at directions essentially opposing to one another.

15. The tip section according to claim 12, wherein said tip section comprises three or more side-pointing cameras positioned essentially at equal distances from each other along the perimeter of said tip section.

16. A multi-camera endoscope comprising:

an elongated shaft terminating with a tip section turnable by way of a bending section, wherein said tip section comprises;

a front-pointing camera and a discrete front illuminator associated therewith;

a front fluid injector configured for cleaning at least one of said front-pointing camera and said discrete front illuminator;

a side-pointing camera;

a working channel configured for insertion of a surgical tool; and

a pathway fluid injector for inflating and/or cleaning a body cavity into which the endoscope is inserted.

17. The multi-camera endoscope according to claim 16, wherein said tip section further comprising a discrete side illuminator associated with side-pointing camera.

18. The multi-camera endoscope according to claim 16, wherein said tip section further comprising a side fluid injector configured for cleaning said side-pointing camera and/or said discrete side illuminator.