# US 12,004,717 B2 · Endoscope with detachable camera module

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- Number: US 12,004,717 B2
- Document ID: US12004717B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/126,965
- Filed: 2020-12-18
- Published: 2021-06-24
- Granted: 2024-06-11
- Earliest claimed: 2019-12-20
- Assignees: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
- Applicants: Gyrus Acmi, Inc.
- Inventors: Philip J. Doyle; Nikhil M. Murdeshwar
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12004717B2

## CPC

- A61B 1/018: for receiving instruments
- A61B 1/00006: {of control signals}
- A61B 1/00029: {externally powered, e.g. wireless}
- A61B 1/00034: {rechargeable}
- A61B 1/00039: {provided with input arrangements for the user}
- A61B 1/00042: {for mechanical operation}
- A61B 1/00062: {provided with means for preventing overuse}
- A61B 1/00066: {Proximal part of endoscope body, e.g. handles (A61B1/0052 takes precedence)}
- A61B 1/00085: {Baskets}
- A61B 1/00098: {Deflecting means for inserted tools}
- A61B 1/00101: {the distal tip features being detachable}
- A61B 1/00105: {characterised by modular construction}
- A61B 1/00112: {Connection or coupling means}
- A61B 1/00124: {electrical, e.g. electrical plug-and-socket connection}
- A61B 1/0014: {Fastening element for attaching accessories to the outside of an endoscope, e.g. clips, clamps or bands}
- A61B 1/0052: {Constructional details of control elements, e.g. handles}
- A61B 1/0055: {Constructional details of insertion parts, e.g. vertebral elements}
- A61B 1/0057: {Constructional details of force transmission elements, e.g. control wires}
- A61B 1/05: characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
- A61B 1/053: {being detachable}
- A61B 1/0676: {at distal tip of an endoscope}
- A61B 1/121: {provided with means for cleaning post-use}
- A61B 1/126: {provided with means for cleaning in-use}
- A61B 90/06: {Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for}
- A61L 2/10: Ultraviolet [UV] radiation
- A61L 2/18: Liquid substances
- A61B 1/00009: {of image signals during a use of endoscope}
- A61B 1/044: {for absorption imaging}
- A61B 2090/064: {for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension}
- A61B 2560/0475: Special features of memory means, e.g. removable memory cards
- A61B 2560/0487: Special user inputs or interfaces
- A61L 2103/15: Laboratory, medical or dentistry appliances, e.g. catheters or sharps
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)

## Abstract

A modular endoscope system comprises a first modular section comprising imaging and illumination units, and a patient-insertable second modular section that can be detached to the first modular section via an attachment mechanism, wherein the first modular section is positionable at a distal end section of the second modular section and is configured to illuminate and image a portion of a patient anatomy. A method of using a modular endoscopy system comprises attaching a first modular section of the modular endoscopy system to a second modular section of the modular endoscopy system, positioning at least a portion of the modular endoscopy system within a patient, illuminating and imaging a portion of a patient anatomy via the first modular section, removing the modular endoscopy system from the patient, and detaching the second modular section from the first modular section after removal of the modular endoscopy system from the patient.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of using a modular endoscopy system, the method comprising:
attaching a first modular section of the modular endoscopy system to a second modular section of the modular endoscopy system using an attachment mechanism;
positioning at least a portion of the modular endoscopy system within a patient;
illuminating and imaging a portion of a patient anatomy via the first modular section;
removing the modular endoscopy system from the patient; and
detaching the second modular section from the first modular section after removal of the modular endoscopy system from the patient;
wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a retention band comprising first and second ends extending from a distal end face of the second modular section.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising assembling the first modular section and the second modular section of the modular endoscopy system at a surgical facility.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein:
the first modular section comprises a camera module; and
the second modular section comprises an elongate working section.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, further comprising disposing of the elongate working section via destroying the elongate working section.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, further comprising cleaning and sanitizing the camera module.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein the cleaning and sanitizing the camera module comprises positioning the camera module within a sterilization apparatus comprising an enclosure having an ultraviolet light source and a fluid jet.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, further comprising reusing the camera module in a subsequent medical procedure.

### Claim 8 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the camera module comprises:
a housing in which an imaging unit and an illumination unit are disposed, the housing comprising:
a first shell comprising:
a first end face that is flat and circular; and
a first circular sidewall circumscribing the first end face; and
a second shell separable from the first shell, the second shell comprising:
a second end face that is flat and circular; and
a second circular sidewall circumscribing the second end face;
a mechanical coupling for joining the first shell and the second shell; and
a groove circumscribing one or both of the first circular sidewall and the second circular sidewall.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, further comprising a seal positioned between the first shell and the second shell.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the housing comprises a passage extending between the first end face and the second end face to allow irrigation fluid to pass through the housing isolated from the imaging unit and the illumination unit.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the housing comprises lenses located on one of the first end face and the second end face to allow for passage of light to the imaging unit and the illumination unit.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the housing is fabricated from transparent material.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to secure the first modular section in a side-viewing orientation such that the first modular section is disposed within a radial boundary of a distal end face of the second modular section and a central axis of the first end face and the second end face of the second modular section is parallel to a central axis of the second modular section.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein positioning at least the portion of the modular endoscopy system within the patient comprises inserting a portion of the second modular section into the patient to position the first modular section adjacent to anatomy to be imaged.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the first modular section further comprises a rechargeable power source configured to provide power to an imaging unit and an illumination unit of the first modular section.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein a distal end section of the second modular section comprises an elevator mechanism configured to orient and support one or more therapeutic tools extended through the second modular section, wherein the first modular section is distal of the elevator mechanism of the second modular section.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
a third modular section, the third modular section being user-detachably connectable to the second modular section.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein the third modular section comprises a navigation and control module operatively connectable to the second modular section, the navigation and control module comprising a handle that is user-detachably connectable to the second modular section.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to secure the first modular section in an end-viewing orientation such that the first modular section is disposed within a radial boundary of the distal end face of the second modular section.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising establishing a near-field communication link between the first modular section and the second modular section.

### Claim 21 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the second modular section includes memory having stored therein one or more of manufacturer information, model number information and serial number information.

### Claim 22 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the retention band comprises a resilient material.

### Claim 23 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
identifying a specific treatment for the patient, the specific treatment being selected from a group consisting of a biopsy and a therapy for a disease; and
selecting the first modular section to be capable of treating the patient with the identified specific treatment.