Endoscope having detachable imaging device and method of using

A method of using an endoscope assembly, comprising:

• attaching a detachable imaging device to a distal end region of an insertion tube of an endoscope to form the endoscope assembly, wherein the distal end region of the insertion tube includes a first imaging element and wherein the detachable imaging device includes
• a second imaging element;
• a linking member including a distal portion and a proximal portion;
• and
• an attachment member removably engageable with the distal end region of the insertion tube of the endoscope, the attachment member being connected to the proximal portion of the linking member, the attachment member being configured to detachably engage the imaging device to the endoscope, wherein the imaging element is arranged to take images from a field of view that includes the distal end region of the insertion tube when the imaging element is used to view portions of a body cavity;
• and
• directing the distal end region of the insertion tube into a body cavity and viewing a portion of the body cavity with both the first imaging element and the detachable imaging device, the detachable imaging device providing a retrograde view of the portion of the body cavity and the first imaging element providing a front view of the portion of the body cavity;
• wherein the endoscope assembly further includes a first light source and a second light source and the method further includes alternately turning on and off the first imaging element, and the second light source at a frequency sufficient such that a human eye cannot sense the alternation, wherein the first imaging element is on when the second light source is off and the first imaging element is off when the second light source is on.

An endoscope assembly, comprising:

• an insertion tube including a distal end region;
• a first imaging device on the distal end region of the insertion tube;
• and
• a detachable imaging device including:
• an imaging element including a proximal surface and a distal surface;
• a linking member including a distal portion and a proximal portion;
• and
• an attachment member including an inner surface removably frictionally engageable with an outer surface of the distal end region of the insertion tube, the attachment member being connected to the proximal portion of the linking member, the attachment member being configured to detachably engage the detachable imaging device to the insertion tube, wherein the imaging element is arranged to take images from a field of view that includes the first imaging device when the imaging element is used to view portions of a body cavity;
• a first light source on the distal end region of the insertion tube;
• and
• a first polarizer filter covering the first light source, wherein the detachable imaging device includes:
• a second light source;
• and
• a second polarizer filter covering the imaging element, wherein the first imaging device and the imaging element are configured to view a portion of the body cavity, the imaging element configured to provide a retrograde view of the portion of the body cavity and the first imaging device configured to provide a front view of the portion of the body cavity, wherein the first and second polarized filters are configured to reduce light interference between the imaging element and the first light source.

A method of using an endoscope assembly, comprising:

• attaching a detachable imaging device to a distal end region of an insertion tube of an endoscope to form the endoscope assembly, the imaging device including:
• an imaging element;
• a linking member including a distal portion and a proximal portion;
• and
• an attachment member removably engageable with the distal end region of the insertion tube of the endoscope, the attachment member being connected to the proximal portion of the linking member, the attachment member being configured to detachably engage the imaging device to the endoscope, wherein the imaging element is arranged to take images from a field of view that includes the distal end region of the insertion tube when the imaging element is used to view portions of a body cavity;
• wherein the distal end region of the insertion tube includes a circular groove for receiving the attachment member.