Imaging assembly with transparent distal cap

• US 8,870,753 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2011
• Issued: 10/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Boulais, Dennis R., Banik, Michael S., Churchill, William Lucas, Grigoryants, Sergey S., Barbato, Louis J., Orband, Daniel G., Maseda, Luis J., Fantone, Stephen D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P
• Application Number:
  US13/151,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20110295072A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,244 Days
• Field of Search: 600127-129, 600/172, 600/176, 600/156, 600/175
• US Class Current: 600/129
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0008 characterised by distal tip features
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00101 the distal tip features being detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00105 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/051 Details of CCD assembly
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/12 with cooling or rinsing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/128 provided with means for regulating temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/064 using markers A61B5/062 takes precedence

Abstract

An imaging assembly for use in a medical imaging device such as an endoscope or the like. In one embodiment, the imaging assembly includes a transparent distal cap that is shaped to receive an image sensor insert. The image sensor insert has a cooling channel that supplies a cooling liquid or gas to one or more illumination sources.

Claims

1. An assembly for use in a medical device, comprising:

a transparent distal cap including a distal end face having at least one window, the at least one window including an outer edge that extends to a perimeter of the distal end face, wherein the perimeter of the distal end face is beveled; and

an insert assembly configured for insertion into the distal cap, the insert assembly comprising;

a through bore;

a curved first surface; and

a substantially flat second surface;

wherein the substantially flat second surface of the insert assembly is configured to be received by a corresponding mating surface of the distal cap.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first surface further includes a notch thereon.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the insert assembly further includes a distal face defining a cooling channel thereon, said cooling channel disposed about said through bore.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the cooling channel further includes an inlet port and an outlet port.

5. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the cooling channel is configured to receive a circuit board therein.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the notch is configured to receive a flex circuit therein, said flex circuit being connected to the circuit board.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal end face includes an opening, wherein the distal end face is beveled adjacent the opening.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a proximal end of the transparent distal cap is configured for insertion within an articulation joint, the articulation joint including a series of linked elements.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the transparent distal cap includes at least one notch on a proximal end thereof, the at least one notch configured to receive a tab disposed on the articulation joint.

10. The assembly of claim 8, further including an articulation joint, wherein the articulation joint is configured to provide electrical shielding.

11. An assembly for an imaging medical device, comprising:

a transparent distal cap having a distal end face and an axially extending receiving surface proximal of the distal end face, the receiving surface having a shape, wherein the distal end face includes at least one window having an outer edge that extends to a perimeter of the distal end face and wherein the perimeter of the distal end face is beveled;

and

an insert assembly comprising;

an axially extending surface having a shape matching the shape of the receiving surface configured to be received by the receiving surface of the transparent distal cap;

a curved upper surface configured for insertion within the transparent distal cap; and

a through bore configured to receive a lens assembly therein.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the through bore includes a lip configured to limit the depth of insertion of the lens assembly.

13. The assembly of claim 11, further including a lens assembly, wherein the at least one window is axially aligned with the lens assembly.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the distal end face includes an opening positioned below the receiving surface.

15. An assembly for an imaging medical device, comprising:

a transparent distal cap, said transparent distal cap having a distal face surface with a perimeter surrounding an entirety of the distal face surface; and

an image sensor insert that is fitted within the transparent distal cap, the image sensor insert including;

an axially extending surface to mate with an axially extending surface of the transparent distal cap;

a cylindrical bore adapted to accommodate an imaging lens; and

an image sensor;

wherein the transparent distal cap includes a window and wherein the window has an edge that extends to the perimeter.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the perimeter is beveled.

17. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the cylindrical bore includes a lip configured to limit the depth of insertion of the imaging lens.