Endoscopic imaging system
First Claim
1. An imaging endoscope assembly comprising:
- an elongate shaft comprising;
a proximal portion having a first stiffness,a cylindrical distal portion having a second stiffness, the second stiffness being different than the first stiffness, the distal portion terminating at a distal end ring;
a steering cable extending through the elongate shaft, the steering cable comprising a distal end coupled to the distal end ring; and
a housing coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft, the housing abutting the distal end ring, and the housing comprising a distal end face, wherein the housing is configured to receive an imaging device for producing electronic signals representative of an image.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An imaging endoscope assembly comprising:
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an elongate shaft comprising; a proximal portion having a first stiffness, a cylindrical distal portion having a second stiffness, the second stiffness being different than the first stiffness, the distal portion terminating at a distal end ring; a steering cable extending through the elongate shaft, the steering cable comprising a distal end coupled to the distal end ring; and a housing coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft, the housing abutting the distal end ring, and the housing comprising a distal end face, wherein the housing is configured to receive an imaging device for producing electronic signals representative of an image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An imaging endoscope assembly comprising:
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an elongate shaft comprising a distal end; a cylindrical connector comprising a proximal end coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft, and a distally-facing surface; a distal end cap comprising; a proximal end abutting the distally-facing surface of the connector, a distal face, and an imaging device port extending through the distal end cap, the imaging device port opening at the distal face, wherein the imaging device port is configured to receive an imaging device for producing electronic signals representative of an image of an area distal to the distal face of the distal end cap; and a steering wire extending through the elongate shaft, the steering wire comprising a distal end terminating proximally of the proximal end of the distal end cap. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An imaging endoscope assembly comprising:
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an elongate shaft comprising a distal portion; a connector comprising; a proximal portion coupled to the distal portion of the elongate shaft, a distal portion, and a distally-facing surface; a distal end cap comprising; a proximal portion abutting the distally-facing surface of the connector, a distalmost surface, and an imaging device port extending through the distal end cap, the imaging device port opening at the distalmost surface of the distal end cap, wherein the imaging device port is configured to receive an imaging device for producing electronic signals representative of an image of an area distal to the distalmost surface of the distal end cap, wherein the distal portion of the connector is received in the proximal portion of the distal end cap; and a steering wire extending through the elongate shaft, the steering wire comprising a distal end terminating proximally of the distal end cap. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification