Endoscopy/stereo colposcopy medical instrument

#This patent specification generally relates mainly to endoscopy and colposcopy instruments and methods. More particularly, some embodiments relate to portable such instruments that include a re-usable portion that has both endoscopy and colposcopy functionalities and a releasably attached disposable or single-use portion with endoscopy functionality.

#Endoscopes have long been used to view and treat internal tissue. In the case of both rigid and flexible conventional endoscopes, the optical system and related components are relatively expensive and are intended to be re-used many times. Therefore, stringent decontamination and disinfection procedures need to be carried out after each use. In recent years, disposable endoscopes have been developed and improved, typically comprising a single-use portion that includes a cannula with a camera at the distal that releasably attached to a reusable portion that includes image processing electronics and a display. Disposable or single-use endoscopy significantly lessens the risk of cross-contamination and hospital acquired diseases. Such endoscopes find applications in medical procedures such as imaging and treating the male and female urinary system and the female reproductive system and other internal organs. Examples of disposable endoscopes are discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,292,571, 10,874,287, 11,013,396, and 11,071,442

#Colposcopy is an entirely separate technical and medical field concerned with visually examining the cervix, vagina, and vulva to identify dues suggestive of cervical cancer. A colposcope usually uses magnification. Early detection of cervical cancer is important for successful treatment and increasing survival. Papanicolaou test (Pap smear) is a popular and effective screening test for cervical cancer, but it is subjective and skilled-labor intensive. Digital cameras can obtain multi-spectral images of the cervix highlighting suspicious areas, and high-resolution optical technologies can further interrogate suspicious areas, providing in vivo diagnosis with good sensitivity and specificity. In addition, targeted contrast agents can highlight changes in biomarkers of cervical neoplasia. Multispectral imaging using a liquid crystal tunable filter (LCTF) for fast wavelength selection can be included. See Quiong Wu, Hengyu Ke, Hong Zheng, Xijian Gao, Diancheng Wang, A multispectral imaging analysis system for early detection of cervical cancer, Proceedings Volume 5745, Medical Imaging 2005; Physics of Medical Imaging; (2005) doi.org/10.1117/12.592576.

#To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the subject matter of this patent specification, specific examples of embodiments thereof are illustrated in the appended drawings. It should be appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrative embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the scope of this patent specification or the appended claims. The subject matter hereof will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

#FIGS. 1A, 1B and 10 are side, top and rear views of a portable and ergonomic endoscope with disposable cannula, according to some embodiments;

#FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views of a portable and ergonomic endoscope with disposable cannula, according to some embodiments;

#A detailed description of examples of preferred embodiments is provided below. While several embodiments are described, the new subject matter described in this patent specification is not limited to any one embodiment or combination of embodiments described herein, but instead encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications, and equivalents. In addition, while numerous specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding, some embodiments can be practiced without some or all these details. Moreover, for the purpose of clarity, certain technical material that is known in the related art has not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the new subject matter described herein. It should be clear that individual features of one or several of the specific embodiments described herein can be used in combination with features of other described embodiments or with other features. Further, like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

#This patent specification describes an endoscope with various imaging functionalities under the heading ENDOSCOPY EXAMPLES. Under the heading ENDOSCOPY/STEREO COLPOSCOPY AND OTHER EXAMPLES, the specification describes various functionality examples that include endoscopy, colposcopy, facial recognition and monitoring therapies such as photodynamic therapy of the cervix with a device held at the cervix for extended periods.

#According to some embodiments, a portable ergonomic endoscope system is described that includes an imaging system with at least two separate cameras and at least two separate light sources. The camera and light sources are configured to be used to simultaneously image a target object (e.g. tissue). By employing different illuminations, different filters and manipulating the spectral responses, different characteristics of the target object can be captured. According to some embodiments, a system processor can coordinate the cameras, the light sources and combine the resulting images to display to an operator an enhanced combined image of the object. According to some embodiments, the system can be configured to perform NBI (Narrow Band Imaging) imaging. According to some embodiments, the system can also be configured to perform Fluorescence Imaging.