Endoscope with variable profile tip

An endoscope comprising:

• a hub;
• a shaft extending from the hub, the shaft having an outer dimension;
• a distal tip extending from a distal portion of the shaft;
• an image sensor within the distal tip, the image sensor having a field of view external to the endoscope;
• an illuminating element configured to emit light within the field of view of the image sensor;
• a first working channel tube disposed within the shaft and extending continuously from a proximal end at the hub to a distal end within the distal tip, the first working channel tube comprising a first portion within the distal tip, wherein the first portion of the first working channel tube is configured to expand to an enlarged configuration to accommodate passage of a first object,
• wherein the distal tip has a dimension greater than the outer dimension, when the first portion of the first working channel tube has the enlarged configuration, and
• wherein the first working channel tube is configured to accommodate passage of the first object through a proximal portion of the shaft while maintaining the outer dimension of the shaft;
• and
• a second working channel tube disposed within the shaft generally parallel with the first working channel tube and extending continuously from a proximal end at the hub to a distal end within the distal tip, the second working channel tube comprising a second portion within the distal tip, wherein the second portion of the second working channel tube is adapted to expand to an enlarged configuration to accommodate passage of a second object,
• wherein the distal tip has a dimension greater than the outer dimension when the second portion of the second working channel tube has the enlarged configuration, and
• wherein the second working channel tube is configured to accommodate passage of the second object through the proximal portion of the shaft while maintaining the outer dimension of the shaft;
• and
• wherein the image sensor is located between the first working channel tube and the second working channel tube and the first working channel tube and the second working channel tube are separated by the image sensor, and expansion of the first portion of the first working channel tube to the enlarged configuration radially expands the distal tip in a first direction, expansion of the second portion of the second working channel tube to the enlarged configuration radially expands the distal tip in a second direction, generally opposed to the first direction, the distal tip having a greater dimension when either or both of the first and second working channel tubes expand to their enlarged configuration such that expansion of the first and second portions cause corresponding expansion of the distal tip.