Next generation colonoscope

• US 7,621,869 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2005
• Issued: 11/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nitesh Ratnakar
• Original Assignee: Nitesh Ratnakar
• Inventors: Ratnakar, Nitesh
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker; John P
• Application Number:
  US10/908,300
• Publication Number:
  US 20060252994A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,663 Days
• Field of Search: 600/113, 600/129, 600/130, 600/170, 600/173, 348/65
• US Class Current: 600/173
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00179 for off-axis viewing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00181 for multiple fixed viewing angles A61B1/00193 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0625 for multiple fixed illumination angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/31 for the rectum, e.g. proctoscopes, sigmoidoscopes , colonoscopes

Abstract

The next generation colonoscope has multiple dual view modules that are attached along the length of its shaft. Each dual view module comprises of a forward and rear image lens and a forward and rear illumination bulb. Each dual view module is designed and attached to the shaft in a way that when deployed, the forward image lens and the forward illumination bulb face forwards and provide forward view; and the rear image lens and the rear illumination bulb face backwards and provide rear view. An actuator is used to selectively move the housings from a first non-deployed position to a second deployed position.

Claims

1. An endoscope system comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis;

the distal end of the shaft having a first image lens disposed in a forward direction;

multiple housings attached along the length of the shaft;

an actuator for selectively moving the housings from a first non-deployed position to a second deployed position;

wherein each housing includes a first image lens disposed in a generally forward direction and a second image lens disposed in a generally rearward direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the housings include a structure operatively attached to the actuator by means of pull wires;

and wherein movement of the actuator reversibly moves at least a portion of the housings from the first non-deployed position to the second deployed position.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first image lens of each housing is positioned so as to obtain a generally forward view generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and wherein the second image lens is positioned so as to obtain a generally rearward view generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the housings include at least one light source.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of each housing moves away from the shaft in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis as the actuator moves the at least a portion of each housing from the first non-deployed position to the second deployed position.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein images from the lenses on a plurality of the housings are displayed simultaneously on a display monitor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein images from the first image lens and the second image lens of one of the housings are displayed simultaneously on a display monitor.