Endoscope with Variable Profile Tip

摘要

A single-use electronic endoscope has a hub, a shaft extending from the hub, flexible or rigid as desired, and an expandable distal tip extending from the shaft. Within the distal tip, an image sensor provides a field of view external from the endoscope. Illuminating elements or light guides within the distal tip emit light to illuminate the field of view. The distal tip also has a variable profile working channel that permits tools to be passed from the hub and into the field of view. The expandable working channel changes cross-sectional shape from a generally noncircular shape to a shape to accommodate the cross-sectional shape of the tool when expanded.

主权项

1. An electronic endoscope comprising
a hub; a shaft extending from the hub; an expandable distal tip extending from the shaft; an image sensor within the distal tip and having a field of view external from the endoscope; an illuminating element within the distal tip and configured to emit light within the field of view of the image sensor; and at least one variable profile working channel within the distal tip, wherein the working channel is adapted to change from a generally noncircular cross-sectional shape to a different cross-sectional shape to accommodate passage of a tool.