Imaging endoscope system and associated methods

An imaging endoscopy kit for assembling an imaging endoscopy system for use in gastroscopy or colonoscopy, the imaging endoscopy system assembled from the kit comprising:

• a base unit;
• a hand controller;
• an umbilical section releasably connecting the base unit and the hand controller;
• an insertion section having a proximal end connected to the hand controller and a distal end for insertion into a subject, the distal end having a steering section and a distal tip, wherein:
• the hand controller includes two rotational drive wheels for controlling bending of the steering section;
• the distal tip includes an imaging chip for imaging a region of tissue of interest;
• and the insertion section includes four steering wires connecting the rotational drive wheels of the hand controller and the steering section, the steering wires passing along steering channels in the insertion section, the steering section having two axes of bending;
• the insertion section further including an electrical conductor for conducting electrical signals from the imaging chip to the proximal end of the insertion section;
• the insertion section further including lumens adapted to:
• deliver insufflation gas to the distal tip;
• deliver irrigation liquid to the distal tip;
• provide suction at the distal tip;
• provide a conduit for at least one surgical tool to be inserted along the insertion section to the distal tip;
• wherein the imaging endoscopy kit comprises:
• the base unit;
• and
• a plurality of sealed containers, together containing:
• a plurality of said hand controllers, in sterile condition;
• a plurality of said umbilical sections, in sterile condition;
• and
• a plurality of said insertion sections, in sterile condition,
• wherein, when the umbilical section is detached from the base unit and the hand controller and insertion section are immersed in water at room temperature and pressure, the hand controller and/or the insertion section is water permeable to permit ingress of water into the steering channels in the insertion section, sealing of the steering channels being unnecessary due to the umbilical section, hand controller and insertion section being single use.

A method for assembling an imaging endoscopy system for use in gastroscopy or colonoscopy, the imaging endoscopy system comprising a base unit;

• a hand controller;
• an umbilical section releasably connecting the base unit and the hand controller;
• an insertion section having a proximal end connected to the hand controller and a distal end for insertion into a subject, the distal end having a steering section and a distal tip,
• wherein the hand controller includes two rotational drive wheels for controlling bending of the steering section;
• the distal tip includes an imaging chip for imaging a region of tissue of interest;
• and the insertion section includes four steering wires connecting the rotational drive wheels of the hand controller and the steering section, the steering wires passing along steering channels in the insertion section, the steering section having two axes of bending;
• the insertion section further including an electrical conductor for conducting electrical signals from the imaging chip to the proximal end of the insertion section;
• the insertion section further including lumens adapted to:
• deliver insufflation gas to the distal tip;
• deliver irrigation liquid to the distal tip;
• provide suction at the distal tip;
• provide a conduit for at least one surgical tool to be inserted along the insertion section to the distal tip;
• wherein, when the umbilical section is detached from the base unit and the hand controller and insertion section are immersed in water at room temperature and pressure, the hand controller and/or the insertion section is water permeable to permit ingress of water into the steering channels in the insertion section, sealing of the steering channels being unnecessary due to the umbilical section, hand controller and insertion section being single use, wherein the method comprises:
• disconnecting a used umbilical section from the base unit and disposing of said used umbilical section, along with a connected used hand controller and insertion section
• opening at least one sealed container containing:
• a hand controller, in sterile condition;
• an umbilical section, in sterile condition;
• and
• an insertion section, in sterile condition, and
• connecting the sterile umbilical section to the base unit to provide an imaging endoscopy system ready for use.