Endoscope and method of use

1. An endoscope for use with a tool, the endoscope comprising:

an elongated shaft having a central axis extending from a proximal end to a working end;

an image sensor by the working end;

a channel extending from said proximal end to said working end, wherein a distal portion of the channel comprises a superior surface spaced from an inferior surface, the inferior surface having a living hinge, wherein a lateral sidewall comprising an elastomeric material allows the distal portion of the channel to have a first cross-sectional shape that provides an open pathway through the elongated shaft, and wherein advancement of the tool through the channel and against the superior surface and the inferior surface deflects the living hinge without deflecting the tool to expand the channel away from the image sensor to assume a second cross-sectional shape larger than the first cross-sectional shape such that the image sensor remains stationary upon assuming the second cross-sectional shape.

2. The endoscope of claim 1 , wherein the inferior surface includes a non-elastomeric material.

3. The endoscope of claim 2 , wherein said distal channel portion in said first cross-sectional shape maintains a distal open termination by projecting portions of a bottom wall which abut a top wall of said distal channel portion.

4. The endoscope of claim 1 , wherein the elongated shaft extends along a longitudinal axis to an angled section that transitions to said distal portion that extends along a second axis that is offset from said longitudinal axis.

5. The endoscope of claim 1 , wherein the elongated shaft includes a fluid inflow channel communicating with a fluid source.

6. The endoscope of claim 1 , wherein the channel communicates with an outflow pump.

7. The endoscope of claim 1 , wherein the elongated shaft includes a flow channel communicating with a pressure sensor carried in a housing coupled to the shaft.

8. An endoscope system for use with a tool, the endoscope system comprising:

a handle;

an endoscope component including an elongated shaft extending from a proximal housing to a distal section that carries an image sensor, wherein the proximal housing is adapted for detachable coupling to the handle, wherein the distal section is expandable in a direction away from the image sensor upon advancement of the tool to assume an expanded profile while the image sensor remains stationary;

wherein the shaft extends along a longitudinal axis to an angled section that transitions to the distal section that extends along a second axis that is offset from the longitudinal axis, wherein the angled section comprises a superior surface spaced from an inferior surface, the inferior surface having a living hinge, wherein advancement of the tool against the superior surface and the inferior surface deflects the living hinge without deformation of the tool.

9. The endoscope system of claim 8 , wherein the angled section has an axial length ranging from 5 mm to 20 mm.

10. The endoscope system of claim 8 , wherein the distal section has an axial length ranging from 5 mm to 20 mm.

11. The endoscope system of claim 8 , wherein the second axis is offset from the longitudinal axis by at least 1 mm.

12. The endoscope system of claim 8 , wherein the second axis is offset from the longitudinal axis by 1 mm to 8 mm.

13. The endoscope system of claim 8 , wherein the image sensor and a lens are carried in a housing which has a distal housing surface that extends distally beyond an outer thin wall sleeve of the shaft.

14. The endoscope system of claim 13 , wherein said distal housing surface extends distally beyond the thin wall sleeve by 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm.