ENDOSCOPE WITH AN IMAGING CATHETER ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF CONFIGURING AN ENDOSCOPE
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An assembly, comprising:
- a tubular body;
an imaging device; and
a shape memory link that connects the imaging device to the tubular body.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An endoscope includes an insertion tube having an end, and an imaging catheter assembly. The imaging catheter assembly includes a tubular body, an imaging device, and a shape memory link that connects the imaging device to the tubular body.
69 Citations
62 Claims
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1. An assembly, comprising:
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a tubular body; an imaging device; and a shape memory link that connects the imaging device to the tubular body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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13. -19. (canceled)
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30. -37. (canceled)
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38. An endoscope assembly, comprising:
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an insertion tube having an end; and an imaging catheter assembly including a tubular body, a first imaging device, and a shape memory link that connects the first imaging device to the tubular body. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 47, 48, 49)
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45. -46. (canceled)
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50. -58. (canceled)
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59. A method of configuring an endoscope, comprising:
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straightening a U-shaped flexible shape memory link at a distal end of an imaging catheter assembly; inserting the straightened distal end of the imaging catheter assembly into a channel of an endoscope'"'"'s insertion tube from a proximal end of the insertion tube; and pushing the imaging catheter assembly further into the insertion tube until an auxiliary imaging device located at the distal end of the imaging catheter assembly and the flexible link are pushed out of the distal end of the insertion tube so that the flexible link returns to its natural bent configuration.
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60. A minor endoscope adapted to be inserted into and through a channel of a major endoscope, the minor endoscope including an elongated body, an imaging device located proximate to one end, and a flexible shape memory material coupled to the imaging device to the body;
wherein the flexible shape memory material may be straightened for insertion into the major endoscope and wherein it assumes its original shape when it is extended beyond the major endoscope, the imaging device providing a retrograde view when the flexible shape memory material assumes its original shape. - View Dependent Claims (61)
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62. -71. (canceled)
Specification