Endoscope and method of use
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.
1. An endoscope comprising:
a handle;
an elongated shaft coupled to the handle along an axis and adapted to rotate at least 180° about the axis;
an image sensor carried in a distal portion of the shaft;
an inflow channel extending through the handle and shaft to a port in a distal end of the shaft;
a light-emitting diode (LED) carried in a distal portion of the elongated shaft;
a flex circuit extending through the handle and elongated shaft, wherein the image sensor and LED are mounted on the flex circuit;
wherein the inflow channel has a proximal channel portion within the handle and a distal channel portion in the shaft; and
a fluid-tight housing intermediate the proximal and distal channel portions configured to provide a fluid-tight path through said channel portions within said range of motion of the elongated shaft.
2. The endoscope of claim 1 wherein the elongated shaft includes an at least partially annular inflow channel that is configured to rotate in said housing.
3. The endoscope of claim 2 further comprising an outflow channel extending through the handle and elongated shaft, wherein the outflow channel has a proximal channel portion within the handle and a distal channel portion in the rotatable shaft.
4. The endoscope of claim 3 wherein the outflow channel comprises an at least partially annular outflow channel in the elongated shaft.
5. The endoscope of claim 4 wherein the inflow channel has an open termination in a distalmost surface of the elongated shaft.
6. The endoscope of claim 5 wherein the inflow channel is adapted to be coupled to a remote fluid source.
7. The endoscope of claim 4 wherein the outflow channel is in a distal region of the elongated shaft, wherein said distal region is re-configurable between a constricted shape and a non-constricted shape.
8. The endoscope of claim 7 wherein the outflow channel has an open termination in a distalmost surface of the elongated shaft.
9. The endoscope of claim 8 wherein the outflow channel is configured to be coupled to a negative pressure source.
10. The endoscope of claim 1 comprising two LEDs.
11. The endoscope of claim 10 wherein the two LEDs are disposed adjacent to the image sensor in a distal surface of the elongated shaft.