Small diameter video camera heads and visualization probes and medical devices containing them

A visualization probe comprising illumination means, an objective lens assembly, a solid state imager (SSI) comprised of a solid state pick up device and additional circuitry adapted to produce an output video signal, wherein said SSI is configured to allow video signals to be sent from said SSI and power to be supplied to said SSI by means of four or less electrically connecting pads and said visualization probe has a maximum outer diameter of 2.8 mm or less and one or more of:

• a) an articulation section;
• and
• b) a working channel;
• wherein the articulation section is constructed without any hinges and in one piece and the one piece articulation section satisfies the following conditions:
• 1 mm<Diameter of vertebrae<3 mm;
• 2 mm<Bending radius<20 mm;
• Angulations angle up to ±270 degrees;
• 0.04 mm<Wall thickness<0.5 mm;
• 0.5 mm<Length of one link<25 mm.

A visualization probe comprising illumination means, an objective lens assembly, a solid state imager (SSI) comprised of a solid state pick up device and additional circuitry adapted to produce an output video signal, wherein said SSI is configured to allow video signals to be sent from said SSI and power to be supplied to said SSI by means of four or less electrically connecting pads and said visualization probe has a maximum outer diameter of 2.8 mm or less and one or more of:

• a) an articulation section;
• and
• b) a working channel;
• wherein the articulation section is constructed from a stretched portion of a spring and plastic inserts that are screwed into the spaces between adjacent coils in said stretched portion.