Fluid channeling component of a multi-camera endoscope

• US 9,320,419 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2011
• Issued: 04/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EndoChoice Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: EndoChoice Innovation Center Ltd. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Kirma, Yaniv, Levy, Avi, Salman, Golan, Aizenfeld, Amram
• Primary Examiner(s): KASZTEJNA, MATTHEW JOHN
• Application Number:
  US13/992,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20130274551A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,601 Days
• Field of Search: 600/109, 600/113, 600129-130, 600156-157, 600/165, 600170-171
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00073 with externally grooved shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00091 Nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00094 Suction openings
• 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 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/044 for absorption imaging
• 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 1/126 provided with means for cleaning in-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/128 provided with means for regulating temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/31 for the rectum, e.g. proctoscopes, sigmoidoscopes , colonoscopes

Abstract

There is provided herein a tip section of a multi-camera endoscope, the tip section comprising: a fluid channeling component for a tip section of a multi-camera endoscope, the fluid channeling component comprising one or more fluid channels configured for flowing for insufflation and/or irrigation fluid, and one or more support elements adapted to receive, support and/or secure a flexible electronic circuit board and/or one or more of a front camera, a side camera, an optical assembly, and a light source attached thereto; and a folded flexible electronic circuit board.

Claims

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

a front camera with a front optical assembly, a front light source, and a front sensor surface associated therewith;

a first side camera with a first side optical assembly, and a first side sensor surface associated therewith;

a second side camera with a second side optical assembly, and a second side sensor surface associated therewith;

a fluid channeling component for a tip section of a multi-camera endoscope, the fluid channeling component comprising one or more fluid channels configured for flowing for insufflation and/or irrigation fluid, wherein said fluid channeling component further comprises a front opening of said one or more fluid channels for cleaning at least one of the front camera and the front light source; and

a unitary support element, having a longitudinal central axis, adapted to support the front camera, the front optical assembly, the front sensor surface, the first side camera, the first side optical assembly, the first side sensor surface, the second side camera, second side optical assembly, and the second side sensor and comprising a planar surface and a plurality of panels extending up from, and substantially perpendicular to, the planar surface, wherein the plurality of panels are configured to attach to and position the first side sensor surface and the second side sensor surface parallel to the longitudinal central axis and attach to and position the front sensor surface perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis and wherein the unitary support element, together with the front camera, the front optical assembly, the front sensor surface, the first side camera, the first side optical assembly, the first side sensor surface, the second side camera, second side optical assembly, and the second side sensor, form a modular unit adapted to be inserted into the tip section.

2. The tip section of claim 1, wherein said fluid channeling component further comprises one or more side openings of said one or more fluid channels for cleaning said first side camera and a side light source.

3. The tip section of claim 1, wherein said fluid channeling component further comprising a working channel adapted for the insertion of a medical tool.

4. The tip section of claim 1, wherein said fluid channeling component further comprising a groove configured to accommodate a jet fluid tube for cleaning a body cavity into which said endoscope is inserted.

5. The tip section of claim 1, wherein said fluid channeling component further comprises a jet fluid channel for transferring therethrough fluid for cleaning a body cavity into which said endoscope is inserted.

6. The tip section of claim 1, wherein said fluid channeling component is configured to be used as a heat sink for at least one of the front light source and a side illuminator.

7. The tip section of claim 1, wherein said fluid channeling component is a unitary component comprising a front fluid channel leading to a front opening at a distal end of said fluid channeling component for cleaning the front camera and a side fluid channel leading to a left side opening and to a right side opening in said fluid channeling component for cleaning the first side camera and the second side camera respectively.

8. The tip section according to claim 1, wherein said fluid channeling component has a diameter of about 17 mm or less.