US 8,622,894 B2 · Articulation joint

Abstract

An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An articulation joint for use in a steerable medical device, comprising:

a plurality of connectors, each connector including:
a body portion defining a first lumen and having a planar end that is substantially planar in a transverse direction to a longitudinal axis of the body portion;
an insert portion extending axially and radially away from the planar end of the body portion and defining a second lumen extending from the first lumen of the body portion;
a slot extending through a middle and sides of the insertion portion;
and a plurality of openings extending through the body portion and surrounding an outer surface of the first lumen;
wherein the insert portion of a connector is configured to be inserted into a first lumen of an adjacent connector to couple the connector to the adjacent connector.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

13/341,191Filed 30 Dec 2011 · continuation

Priority

1 Apr 2003

Published

US 2012/0165608 A128 Jun 2012

Granted

7 Jan 2014

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification23 codes

A61B 1/00042
Provided with input arrangements for the user: for mechanical operation
A61B 1/00071
Constructional details of the endoscope body: insertion part of the endoscope body
A61B 1/00096
Characterised by distal tip features: optical elements
A61B 1/00147
Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g.…:…

Family

Application10/406,149Parent of this continuation · filed 1 Apr 2003

Application12/111,082Parent of this continuation · filed 28 Apr 2008

US 2012/0165608 A1Pre-grant publication · published 28 Jun 2012

US 2004/0199052 A1Published application

US 2008/0269561 A1Published application

US 8,622,894 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Articulation joint

Life of this patent

Articulation joint

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17