Endoscope and method of use
US11717141B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 4, 2021 |
| Grant date | Aug 8, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 4, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B1/307
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An endoscope includes a shaft having proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis therebetween. A handle is coupled to the proximal end of the shaft, and an image sensor is carried on the distal end of the shaft. A channel extends through at least a distal shaft portion and has a channel diameter, and a section of the channel is re-configurable between a constricted shape and a non-constricted shape to accommodate tools introduced therethrough. The combined diagonal dimension and channel diameter is usually greater than the outer shaft diameter. The image sensor may be connected to a connector on the housing by a first slack flex circuit and a lights source on the shaft may be connected to a connector on the housing by a second slack flex circuit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.