Removable tip endoscope

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12290241-B2
Application number	US-202217685951-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 3, 2022
Priority date	Dec 13, 2011
Publication date	May 6, 2025
Grant date	May 6, 2025

Abstract

There is provided herein, an endoscope comprising an elongated shaft terminating with a tip section wherein said tip section comprises a permanent section connected to the elongated shaft and a removable section securely connectable to the permanent section, wherein the removable section comprises at least one capture device and at least one light source.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An endoscope system comprising a shaft defined by a longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft comprises:
a permanent section including (i) a distal portion, wherein the distal portion includes a distally-facing first front face, (ii) a protruding portion extending distally from the first front face and including a distally-facing second front face, and (iii) a first lumen extending through the protruding portion, wherein the first lumen includes an opening positioned entirely on the distally-facing second front face, and
a removable section releasably connectable to the permanent section, wherein the removable section includes at least one electronic component and a second lumen extending entirely through the removeable section, wherein the second lumen is configured to receive the protruding portion of the permanent section such that the protruding portion of the permanent section extends to a distal front face of the removable section when the removable section is coupled to the permanent section;

wherein the endoscope system further comprises:
a display device, wherein the removable section is configured to be released from the permanent section upon command from a control on the display device.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one electronic component is an image sensor.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein a visual alert is displayed on the display device when the removable section is released from the permanent section.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the second lumen is a working channel configured to receive a surgical tool.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein, upon attachment of the removable section to the permanent section, an endoscope tip is formed; and
wherein a visual icon displays on the display device when the removable section is connected to the permanent section.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a button located on the permanent section or the removable section, wherein the button is configured to release the removable section from the permanent section.

7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a recess that extends longitudinally into the permanent section; and
a proximal protrusion extending from a proximal face of the removable section, wherein the proximal protrusion is configured to connect to and be received within the recess of the permanent section.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one electronic component within the removable section comprises a front-facing camera and a side-facing camera.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one electronic component within the removable section comprises a front-facing camera, at least one front-facing illuminator, a side-facing camera, and at least one side-facing illuminator.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the permanent section extends cylindrically along the longitudinal axis.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second lumen extends through a central longitudinal axis of the removable section.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the permanent section comprises at least one electronic component.

13. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a switch on the permanent section, wherein the system is configured to operate only when the switch is pressed by the removable section, and wherein an indication of a status of the switch is displayed on the display device.

14. An endoscope system comprising a shaft defined by a longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft comprises:
a permanent section at a distal end of the shaft, wherein the permanent section extends distally along the longitudinal axis and includes (i) a first front face at a distalmost end of the permanent section and (ii) a working channel extending to a working channel opening at the first front face, and
a removable section configured to electrically connect to the permanent section, wherein the removable section includes (i) a second front face at a distalmost end of the removable section and (ii) a lumen extending from a proximal portion of the removable section to the second front face, wherein the second front face is substantially aligned with the first front face when the removable section is coupled to the permanent section, and wherein the working channel extends entirely through the lumen when the removable section is coupled to the permanent section;

wherein the endoscope system further comprises:
a display device, wherein the electrical connection is released upon receipt of a command from a control on the display device.

15. The system of claim 14 , further comprising a button positioned on the permanent section or the removable section, wherein the button is configured to release an electrical connection between the removable section and the permanent section.

16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the command is configured to cause an electrical or mechanical effect required for releasing the electrical connection.

17. The system of claim 14 , wherein the permanent section comprises:
a cylindrical recess that extends along the longitudinal axis; and
a cylindrical elongated protrusion emerging from a distal portion of the permanent section, wherein the working channel extends through the cylindrical elongated protrusion.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the cylindrical elongated protrusion extends through a central longitudinal axis of the removable section.

19. The system of claim 14 , wherein the removable section comprises a first proximal protrusion comprising a first connector configured to connect with a second connector positioned in the permanent section, and wherein the first connector is configured to electrically connect with the second connector when said removable section is connected to the permanent section.

20. An endoscope system comprising a shaft defined by a longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft comprises:
a permanent section including a working channel extending to a first distalmost end of the permanent section, and
a removable section connectable to the permanent section, wherein the removable section includes (i) a lumen extending longitudinally entirely through the removable section and (ii) a second distalmost end of the removable section including a circular opening of the lumen, wherein (a) the second distalmost end is aligned with the first distalmost end of the permanent section and (b) the working channel extends entirely through the lumen when the removable section is coupled to the permanent section;

wherein the endoscope system further comprises:
a controller, wherein the removable section is configured to be released from the permanent section upon receipt of a command from a control on the controller.

Assignees

• Endochoice Inc

Inventors

• Levy Avi
• Levi Moshe
• Aizenfeld Amram

Classifications

• A61B1/018

  for receiving instruments · CPC title

• A61B1/00114

  Electrical cables in or with an endoscope · CPC title

• A61B1/00045

  Display arrangement · CPC title

• A61B1/126

  provided with means for cleaning in-use · CPC title

• A61B1/0676

  at distal tip of an endoscope · CPC title