IP Library › Granted Patent US 12678038
Granted Patent B2
US 12678038 · App. 17/947,131 · Granted Jul 14, 2026

Pannable endoscope

Inventor: Theodore R. Kucklick (Campbell, CA)
Assignee: PSIP2 LLC
A61B1/317A61B1/00045A61B1/00096A61B1/00135A61B1/00163A61B1/00177A61B1/00179A61B1/00183A61B1/0051A61B1/0053A61B1/015A61B1/05
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12678038
App. No.
17/947,131
Granted
Jul 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An arthroscope having an elongated core with a square radial cross section.

Claims (51)

1 . An endoscope comprising:

a sheath having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis, the sheath's proximal end being configured for mechanical connection to an endoscope handle, the sheath's distal end being closed with a transparent window, the sheath having an outer diameter and an inner lumen having a non-circular inner cross-section;

a core having an outer cross section, a proximal end, and a distal end, the core's distal end spaced from the core's proximal end for insertion into a body, the core configured to sealingly engage the sheath's inner cross-section to mechanically retain the core within the sheath, sealing engagement with and pushing of the core against the sheath's inner cross-section configured to define a plurality of longitudinal channels for flow of fluids therein, between the sheath and core; and

an imaging chip and illumination source mounted at the core's distal end and arranged in a viewing direction through the transparent window;

conductors to carry power to the imaging chip, and conductors to carry video signal from the imaging chip to the handle;

the endoscope configured to protect electrically-operated components from the fluids.

2 . The endoscope of claim 1 , wherein:

the sheath having been formed by extrusion with longitudinal features configured to engage with the length of the core.

3 . The endoscope of claim 1 , wherein:

at least one of the plurality of defined longitudinal channels is configured to conduct fluid to the distal tip of the endoscope for dispersion at a surgical site, and another of the plurality of defined longitudinal channels is configured to conduct fluid from the distal tip of the endoscope for recovery from the surgical site.

4 . The endoscope of claim 1 , wherein:

the core has two parallel elongated segments, a transverse segment, and two hinges connecting the transverse segment between the two elongated segments, the elongated segments being configured to carry both tension and compression for longitudinal motion of one of the elongated segments relative to the other, the transverse segment lying within the sheath at or near the distal end of the sheath;

the imaging chip being mounted on the transverse segment and having an imaging surface arranged through the transparent window in a viewing direction of the endoscope, the transverse segment being hinged between the elongated segments such that longitudinal motion of the one elongated segment relative to the each other is configured to change the angle of the imaging chip through the window relative to the longitudinal axis of the sheath.

5 . The endoscope of claim 4 , wherein:

longitudinal motion of one of the elongated segments relative to the other is configured to change the angle of the imaging chip relative to a radial plane of the elongated core.

6 . The endoscope of claim 1 , further comprising:

a temperature sensor mounted on the core, with conductors to conduct temperature data to the endoscope handle.

7 . The endoscope of claim 1 , further comprising:

a pressure sensor mounted on the core, with conductors to conduct pressure data to the endoscope handle.

8 . The endoscope of claim 1 , further comprising:

a sensor mounted on the core configured to capture imaging data at wavelengths other than visible light, with conductors to conduct the imaging data to the endoscope handle.

9 . The endoscope of claim 1 , wherein:

the core is formed at least in part by molding.

10 . The endoscope of claim 1 , wherein:

the endoscope is an arthroscope configured for joint surgery.

11 . A method comprising:

through a portal into a surgical patient, inserting an endoscope, the endoscope comprising:

a sheath having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis, the sheath's proximal end being configured for mechanical connection to an endoscope handle, the sheath's distal end being closed with a transparent window, the sheath having an outer diameter and an inner lumen having a non-circular inner cross-section;

a core having an outer cross section, a proximal end, and a distal end, the core's distal end spaced from the core's proximal end for insertion into a body, the core configured to sealingly engage the sheath's inner cross-section to mechanically retain the core within the sheath, sealing engagement with and pushing of the core against the sheath's inner cross-section configured to define a plurality of longitudinal channels for flow of fluids therein, between the sheath and core; and

an imaging chip and illumination source mounted at the core's distal end and arranged in a viewing direction through the transparent window;

conductors to carry power to the imaging chip, and conductors to carry video signal from the imaging chip to the handle;

the endoscope configured to protect electrically-operated components from the fluids.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein:

the sheath having been formed by extrusion with longitudinal features configured to engage with the length of the core.

13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein:

at least one of the plurality of defined longitudinal channels is configured to conduct fluid to the distal tip of the endoscope for dispersion at a surgical site, and another of the plurality of defined longitudinal channels is configured to conduct fluid from the distal tip of the endoscope for recovery from the surgical site.

14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein:

the core has two parallel elongated segments, a transverse segment, and two hinges connecting the transverse segment between the two elongated segments, the elongated segments being configured to carry both tension and compression for longitudinal motion of one of the elongated segments relative to the other, the transverse segment lying within the sheath at or near the distal end of the sheath;

the imaging chip being mounted on the transverse segment and having an imaging surface arranged through the transparent window in a viewing direction of the endoscope, the transverse segment being hinged between the elongated segments such that longitudinal motion of the one elongated segment relative to the each other is configured to change the angle of the imaging chip through the window relative to the longitudinal axis of the sheath.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein:

longitudinal motion of one of the elongated segments relative to the other is configured to change the angle of the imaging chip relative to a radial plane of the elongated core.

16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein:

the endoscope further comprises a temperature sensor mounted on the core, with conductors to conduct temperature data to the endoscope handle.

17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein:

the endoscope further comprises a pressure sensor mounted on the core, with conductors to conduct pressure data to the endoscope handle.

18 . The method of claim 11 , wherein:

the endoscope further comprises a sensor mounted on the core configured to capture imaging data at wavelengths other than visible light, with conductors to conduct the imaging data to the endoscope handle.

19 . The method of claim 11 , wherein:

the core is formed at least in part by molding.

20 . The method of claim 11 , wherein:

the endoscope is an arthroscope configured for joint surgery.