Endoscope deployment apparatus
US5976075A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 15, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 2, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 15, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/00438
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An endoscope system according to the present invention is characterized by an imaging assembly that a user can alternatively attach to a first deployment assembly and to a second deployment assembly. The image assembly has a distal end configured for detecting image information and a proximal end configured for delivering the image information to a location remote from the imaging assembly distal end. The deployment assembly for deploying the imaging assembly includes a support member and a connecting member. The connecting member is carried on the support member and is removably and replaceably mountable with the imaging assembly housing for connecting the support member to the imaging assembly. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support member includes a shaft member, a handle element connected to the proximal end of the shaft member for manual engagement of the deployment assembly, an articulating portion connected to the distal end of the shaft member and movable between undeflected and deflected positions for deflecting the tip of the imaging assembly, and a deflecting element. The deflecting element is attached in selected proximity to the distal end of…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.