REMOVABLE TIP ENDOSCOPE

• US 20130172670A1
• Filed: 12/13/2012
• Published: 07/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EndoChoice Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Peer Medical Ltd.
• Inventors: Levy, Avi, Levi, Moshe, Aizenfeld, Amram
• Granted Patent: US 9,655,502 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/103
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00045 Display arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00091 Nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00105 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00114 Electrical cables in or with an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00124 electrical, e.g. electrical plug-and-socket connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00181 for multiple fixed viewing angles A61B1/00193 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/053 being detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0638 providing two or more wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/126 provided with means for cleaning in-use

Abstract

There is provided herein, an endoscope comprising an elongated shaft terminating with a tip section wherein said tip section comprises a permanent section connected to the elongated shaft and a removable section securely connectable to the permanent section, wherein the removable section comprises at least one capture device and at least one light source.

Claims

1. An endoscope comprising:

an elongated shaft terminating with a tip section wherein said tip section comprises;

a permanent section connected to the elongated shaft; and

a removable section securely connectable to the permanent section, wherein the removable section comprises at least one capture device and at least one light source.

2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said at least one capture device within the removable section comprises a front-facing camera.

3. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said at least one capture device within the removable section comprises a side-facing camera.

4. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said at least one capture device within the removable section comprises a front-facing camera and a side-facing camera.

5. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said permanent section comprises at least one capture device.

6. The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein at least one capture device within the permanent section comprises a side-facing camera.

7. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the tip section comprises a distal face, and wherein the permanent section forms a part of the distal face and the removable section forms another part of the distal face.

8. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the tip section comprises a distal face, and wherein the distal face is fully comprised in the removable section.

9. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said permanent section comprises a hollow elongated section protruding from the permanent section and the removable section comprises a channel configured to continue said hollow elongated section, so as to provide a working channel configured for insertion of a surgical tool.

10. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said removable section comprises a hollow elongated section protruding from the removable section and the permanent section comprises a channel configured to continue said hollow elongated section, so as to provide a working channel configured for insertion of a surgical tool.

11. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said removable section comprises an elongated section configured to pass a cable for electric or data signals, the elongated section ending with a first connector, and the permanent section comprises a recess configured to pass electric and/or data signals, said recess comprising a second connector connectable to the first connector.

12. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said removable section comprises a first optic fiber and a first lens, and said permanent section comprises a second optic fiber and a second lens, such that the first lens corresponds to the second lens so as to transfer light between the first optic fiber and the second optic fiber.

13. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said permanent section comprises an elongated section configured to pass a cable for electric and/or data signals, the elongated section ending with a first connector, and the removable section comprises a recess configured to pass electric or data signals, said recess comprising a second connector connectable to the first connector.

14. The endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising a switch on the permanent section such that the endoscope can operate only if the switch is pressed by the removable section.

15. The endoscope according to claim 14, wherein an indication of a status of the switch is displayed on a display device.

16. A removable section of an endoscope tip, the removable section comprising at least one capture device and at least one light source,

wherein the removable section is connectable to a permanent section of the endoscope tip.

17. The removable section according to claim 16, wherein said at least one capture device within the removable section comprises a front-facing capture device.

18. The removable section according to claim 17, wherein said at least one capture device within the removable section comprises a side-facing camera.

19. The removable section according to claim 17, wherein said at least one capture device within the removable section comprises a front-facing camera and a side-facing camera.

20. The removable section of an endoscope tip according to claim 16, configured to form a part of a distal face of the endoscope tip.