Minimally invasive endoscope

Abstract

The invention relates to an endoscope wherein the reusable part is inserted almost entirely into the hollow pistol handle of the disposable part, the protruding part of the reusable part and the adjacent part of the handle being covered by a flexible and elastic cover. The same cover covers the open end of the handle when the disposable part is shipped from the production site. At the user, the medical professional tears open the bag, removes the cover from the handle, inserts the reusable part and covers the rear end of the reusable part and the adjacent part of the handle with the same cover. Usually, a remote display is connected to the endoscope, either wirelessly or by cable, the connector passing through a hole in the cover, configured to prevent liquid from entering around the connector. Wireless transmission preferably uses a proprietary protocol, to maintain the confidentiality of the medical data.

Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application is a partial continuation of U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 521,397, filed November 8, 2021, based on the priorities of the following patents: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 176,307, filed April 18, 2021; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 285,061, filed December 1, 2021; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 295,913, filed January 2, 2022. The following U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 299,829 was filed on April 4; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 302,563 was filed on January 25, 2022; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 303,690 was filed on January 27, 2022; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 310,336 was filed on February 15, 2022; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 299,960 was filed on January 25, 2022. The parent application is incorporated by reference to, and claims priority to, each of the following U.S. provisional patent applications: No. 63 / 112,739, filed November 12, 2020; No. 63 / 113,960, filed November 15, 2020; No. 63 / 118,617, filed November 25, 2020; No. 63 / 128,105, filed December 20, 2020; and No. 63 / 138,528, filed January 18, 2021. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates primarily to endoscopes. More specifically, it relates to endoscopes for medical procedures that are low in manufacturing cost, can be used entirely or partially for single purposes, and avoid or greatly reduce the risk of contamination. Background Technology

[0004] In routine endoscopic examinations, or when direct visualization of organs or the interior of the body is required, complex lens systems are typically used to transmit images from the tip of the endoscope to the observer. Rigid endoscopes usually use relay lens systems; flexible endoscopes typically use fiber optic bundles or objective lens systems. Conventional rigid and flexible endoscopes, along with their lens or fiber optic systems, are relatively expensive and are reused multiple times. Therefore, they must undergo rigorous sterilization and disinfection after each use.

[0005] Disposable endoscopes are an emerging category of endoscopic instruments. In some cases, the manufacturing cost of an endoscope can become inexpensive enough to be used for a single patient only. Disposable or single-use endoscopes reduce the risk of cross-contamination and hospital-acquired infections, make it possible to perform procedures in doctors' offices, clinics, and hospitals, and reduce the overall cost of performing procedures because they reduce the expenses associated with sterilizing and maintaining conventional endoscopes and the personnel required for such maintenance.

[0006] Embodiments of endoscopes, including partially or completely disposable endoscopes, are discussed in the following patents and patent applications, each of which is incorporated herein by reference: PCT / US 2016 / 18670, filed February 19, 2016; PCT / US 2017 / 053171, filed September 25, 2017; U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 363,209, filed September 25, 2017, published on July 18, 2019 as No. 20190216325; PCT / US 2019 / 036060, filed June 7, 2019; U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 972,989, filed June 7, 2019, published on August 19, 2021 as No. 20210251789; and U.S. Patent Application No. 17, filed June 29, 2021. Patent No. 362,043; PCT / US21 / 50095, filed September 13, 2021; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 473,587, filed September 13, 2021; U.S. Patent No. 8,702,594; PCT / US16 / 65396, filed December 7, 2016; U.S. Patent No. 9,649,014; PCT / US2018 / 014880, filed January 23, 2018; U.S. Patent No. 10,874,287; U.S. Patent No. 9,895,048; U.S. Patent No. 10,524,636 U.S. Patent No. 10,426,320; U.S. Patent No. 10,278,563; U.S. Patent No. 10,292,571; U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 407,028, filed May 8, 2019, published on August 29, 2019 as No. 20190261836; PCT / US2020 / 038349, filed June 18, 2020; PCT / US2020 / 046018, filed August 12, 2020; U.S. Patent No. 10,869,592; U.S. Patent No. 11,013,396; U.S. Patent No. 1 U.S. Patent Application No. 1,071,442, filed December 15, 2020, published on April 1, 2021, under the name 202110093169; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 145,466, filed January 11, 2021, published on May 13, 2021, under the name 20210137352; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 349,674, filed June 16, 2020, published on October 7, 2021, under the name 20210307591; and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 370,575, filed July 8, 2021.

[0007] The subject matter described or claimed in this patent specification is not limited to the embodiments described to address any particular drawback or to operation only in specific environments such as those described above. Rather, the background above is provided merely to illustrate the feasibility of some embodiments described herein in exemplary technical fields. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In some embodiments, an endoscope includes a single-use portion comprising: an elongated housing extending along a cannula axis; a fluid hub extending forward from the housing along the cannula axis; a cannula extending forward from the fluid hub along the cannula axis and having an imaging module at the front end; a hollow, funnel-shaped, pistol-style handle extending from the housing along a handle axis transverse to the cannula axis, having a rear end integral with the housing and an open front end; an electrical contact coupled to the imaging module within the handle and at the rear end; a rear end port at the rear end of the housing, an intermediate port on the fluid hub, and a front end port at the front end of the cannula; and an internal cavity from the rear end port to the front end port, fluidly connected to the rear, intermediate, and front end ports. The fluid hub and cannula are mounted together for rotation relative to the housing about the cannula axis. A manual rotation controller located at the rear end of the housing is connected to the fluid hub to rotate the fluid hub and cannula relative to the housing about the cannula axis. The endoscope in this example further includes an elongated reusable portion having a rear end portion configured to be inserted into the handle along the handle axis and having an electrical contact at the rear end, configured to engage with the electrical contact in the handle when the rear end portion of the reusable portion is inserted into the handle; and a cap made of a flexible and resilient material configured to cover the open front end of the handle before the reusable portion is inserted into the handle, to be manually removed from the handle before the reusable portion is inserted into the handle, and to cover the front end portion of the reusable portion protruding along the handle axis and adjacent portions of the handle after the reusable portion is inserted into the handle, thereby covering the protruding portion of the reusable portion and its interface with the handle.

[0009] In some embodiments, the endoscope may further include one or more of the following features: (a) before assembling the disposable portion and the reusable portion into the endoscope, the disposable portion is wrapped in a sterile bag, with a cap covering and covering the open front end of the handle; (b) the reusable portion may include a battery and control and processing electronics configured to control the imaging module to capture images in the field of view and receive image data from the imaging module, and further includes a facility for transmitting image data from the endoscope to an external processing / display unit; (c) the facility is configured to use a proprietary technology different from conventional WiFi. The protocol transmits image data wirelessly; the facilities of the reusable portion are configured to convert received image data into a display image and transmit the display image to an external device for display; (d) the device includes a wireless transmitter / receiver located in the reusable portion and further includes an external processing / display device having a wireless transmitter / receiver configured to wirelessly communicate with the transmitter / receiver of the reusable portion, wirelessly receive image data received from the reusable portion and process it into a display image, and a display configured to display the display image; (e) the external... The processing / display unit is configured to automatically search for and wirelessly connect to the reusable portion when it is in the open state and within range; (f) the facility includes an electrical contact at the front end of the reusable portion, configured to mate with a connector of a cable leading to the external processing / display unit, and the cover includes an opening for the connector, configured to prevent liquids from the environment from entering the reusable portion around the connector; (g) a clip mounted on the cover, configured to optionally connect the connector to maintain contact between the connector and the electrical contact at the front end of the reusable portion. (h) In the assembled endoscope, more than four-fifths of the length of the reusable portion along the handle axis is received into the handle, and less than one-fifth protrudes from the handle; (i) In the assembled endoscope, more than three-quarters of the length of the reusable portion along the handle axis is received into the handle, and less than one-quarter protrudes from the handle; (j) The lumen has a constant internal dimension from the rear end port to the front end port; (k) There is a manual switch at the front end of the reusable portion, wherein at least the portion of the cover on the switch has sufficient flexibility to allow manual operation of the switch through the cover.

[0010] In some embodiments, an endoscope includes: a disposable portion including an elongated housing extending along a cannula axis, a fluid hub extending from a front end of the housing along the cannula axis, a cannula extending from a front end of the fluid hub along the cannula axis and having an imaging module at the front end, and a handle extending from the housing along a handle axis transverse to the cannula axis, the handle being hollow and having an open front end; wherein the disposable portion further includes: a rear end port located at its rear end, an intermediate port located at the fluid hub, and a front end port located at the front end of the cannula; and a flow path communicating with said port. The device includes: an inner cavity in the body connection; an electrical contact coupled to the imaging module at its rear end within the hollow handle; a cap made of a flexible and elastic material and configured to removably close the open front end of the handle; a sterile bag that closes the disposable portion, the cap closing the open end of the hollow handle; wherein the handle is configured to allow a reusable portion to be inserted therein after the cap is removed from the open end of the handle; and the cap is configured to cover the open end of the handle and the adjacent portion of the reusable portion after the reusable portion is inserted into the handle to assemble the endoscope.

[0011] In some embodiments, the endoscope may further include one or more of the following features: (a) a reusable portion configured to be received into the hollow handle after the cap is manually removed from the handle, the reusable portion having a front end portion projecting from the handle along the handle axis such that more than half the length of the reusable portion is in the hollow handle; (b) the hollow handle is configured to accept more than two-thirds of the length of the reusable portion, so that less than one-third of the length of the reusable portion extends from the front end of the handle; (c) the hollow handle is configured to accept more than three-quarters of the length of the reusable portion, so that less than one-quarter of the length of the reusable portion extends from the front end of the handle; and (d) an external processing / display unit having an image display and connected wirelessly or cable to the reusable portion to receive and display image data from the imaging module.

[0012] In some embodiments, the endoscope includes: a disposable portion comprising an elongated housing extending along a cannula axis, a cannula extending from a front end of the housing along the cannula axis and having an imaging module at the front end, and a hollow funnel-shaped handle integrally with the housing, the handle extending from the housing across the cannula axis and having an open front end; wherein the disposable portion further includes: a rear end port at its rear end, a front end port at the front end of the cannula, an intermediate port between the rear end and the front end ports, and an internal cavity fluidly connected to the ports. The endoscope further includes: a reusable portion configured to manually insert its rear end portion into the hollow handle via the open front end of the handle, such that a protruding front end portion of the reusable portion protrudes from the front end of the handle; wherein the proximal portion of the reusable portion extends along the handle axis for more than half the length of the reusable portion; a cap made of a flexible and elastic material configured to fit the open end of the hollow handle before the reusable portion is inserted into the handle, and to cover the protruding portion of the reusable portion and the adjacent portion of the handle after the reusable portion is inserted into the handle.

[0013] In some embodiments, the aforementioned endoscope may further include one or more of the following features: (a) the handle is configured to receive more than two-thirds of the length of the reusable portion, such that less than one-third of the length of the reusable portion extends from the front end of the handle; (b) the handle is configured to receive more than three-quarters of the length of the reusable portion, such that less than one-quarter of the length of the reusable portion extends from the front end of the handle. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To further illustrate the above and other advantages and features of the subject matter protected by this patent specification, specific embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings should be understood as depicting only exemplary embodiments and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of protection of this patent specification or the appended claims. The subject matter of the invention is described and explained specifically and in detail using the following drawings, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an assembled endoscope according to some embodiments of the present invention. The endoscope includes a disposable part, a reusable part, and a cap. The disposable part includes a hollow funnel-shaped handle that is open at its bottom end. Most of the reusable part is housed in the hollow handle. Before the endoscope is assembled, the cap covers the open end of the handle, but after the endoscope is assembled, the cap covers the portion of the reusable part that extends from the handle and the adjacent portion of the handle.

[0016] Figure 2 , Figure 3a and Figure 3bThese are exploded three-dimensional views of an endoscope from different perspectives in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a disposable endoscope portion according to some embodiments of the present invention, wherein the open end of the handle is covered with a removable cap and is contained in a sterile bag.

[0018] Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 These are, respectively, the side view, rear view, top view, and front view of the endoscope in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 9 These are cross-sectional views of endoscopes in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 10 and Figure 11 These are exploded perspective views of the endoscope portion as observed from different angles in some embodiments of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 12 This is an exploded perspective view of the front end portion of the endoscopic cannula in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 13 This is an exploded perspective view of an endoscope assembly in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 14 This is a perspective view of a front-end control console suitable for operation with an endoscope, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0024] A detailed description of preferred embodiments is provided below. Although several embodiments are described, it should be understood that the new subject matter described in this specification is not limited to any one or a combination of embodiments described herein, but includes many alternatives, modifications, and equivalents. Furthermore, although many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding, some embodiments can be implemented without some or all of these details. Moreover, for clarity, certain technical materials known in the prior art have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily downplaying the new subject matter described herein. It should be clear that various features of one or more specific embodiments described herein can be used in combination with features or other features of other described embodiments. Furthermore, the same reference numerals and indications in the various drawings denote the same elements.

[0025] As described in detail below, in a preferred embodiment, the endoscope is essentially standalone and wirelessly communicates with the external display unit, for example, via WiFi or a near-field connection. However, it may also have a port for cable connection to the external display unit in case wireless connectivity is unavailable or undesirable in a medical setting. The endoscope may include a power supply and sufficient electronics to control the imaging module at the cannula tip and process image data from the imaging module into an image for display, requiring minimal control and / or processing to display the image on the external monitor. In other preferred embodiments, the external display unit may include facilities for controlling some or all of the functions of the imaging module and processing some or all of the image data from the imaging module for display.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an assembled endoscope 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 2 , Figure 3a and Figure 3b This is an exploded view of an endoscope 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The endoscope 100 includes a disposable portion 102 and a reusable portion 104, which, when assembled, form an endoscope. The disposable portion 102 includes an elongated housing 106 extending along a cannula axis 108, a fluid hub 110 extending from the housing 106 along the front end of the cannula axis 108, and a cannula 112 extending from the fluid hub 110 along the front end of the cannula axis 108, with an imaging module 114 at its front end. The disposable portion 102 also includes a hollow, funnel-shaped, pistol-style handle 116 extending from the housing 106 along a handle axis 118 intersecting the cannula axis 108, with its rear end integral with the housing 106 and its front end an open end 120. Figure 2 The disposable portion 102 further includes electrical contacts 302 inside the handle 116 and at the rear end. Figure 3a ), inner cavity 902 ( Figure 9 The manifold 116 includes a rear port 122 located at the rear end of the housing 106, an intermediate port 124 located at the middle end of the fluid hub 110, and a rear port 126 located at the rear end of the cannula 112. Each port 122, 124, and 126 communicates with an inner cavity 904 extending along the cannula axis 108 from port 122 to port 126, preferably having a substantially constant cross-section. A cap 128 is made of a flexible and elastic material, such as silicone, and covers the front end of the handle 116.

[0027] In some preferred embodiments, the endoscope 100 is connected to the external processing / display unit 1402. Figure 14 Wireless communication is established. In other preferred embodiments, the endoscope 100 is connected via cable to the external processing / display unit 1400. Figure 14) for communication. In some preferred embodiments, the endoscope 100 provides both an internal battery for controlling the imaging module 114 and processing the images therein into images, and a port for cable connection to the external processing / display unit 1400. Figure 1 and Figure 2 A port with electrical contact 134 is described for cable connection to processing / display unit 1400, but it should be understood that in the case of endoscope 100 which only communicates wirelessly with external units such as 1402, this port may be omitted.

[0028] Preferably, the endoscope 100 has facilities for wireless and cable communication with an external processing / display device. For cable communication, a connector 130 of the cable 132 is inserted through an opening 136 in the cover 128 into an electrical contact 134 at the front end of the reusable portion 104. Figure 2 Another opening 138 receives an electronic switch 140 extending from the front end of the reusable portion 104, and a smaller cover 142 covers and seals opening 138. Note that... Figure 2 Explanation Figure 1 Configuration changes - in Figure 1 In the middle, electrical contacts 134 and switch 140 are spaced apart from each other in the direction of insertion shaft 108, while... Figure 2 In this configuration, the connectors and their respective openings 138 and 166 are spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to axis 108 and are closer to each other. Furthermore, the disposable portion 102 includes a thumbwheel 144 connected to the cannula 112 via a fluid hub 110, such that manual rotation of the thumbwheel 144 about the cannula axis 108 causes the cannula 112 (preferably also the fluid hub 110) to rotate about the cannula axis 108. Preferably, a clip 148 is fixed to the cover 128 and pivots to hold the connector 130 in position. In embodiments where only wireless communication is desired, the connector 130 and cable 132 and their plug 1404, as well as the clip 148, can be omitted, and the front wall of the cover 128 does not need to have an opening such as 136.

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown, the reusable portion 104 extends along axis 118 and is configured to be inserted into handle 116. At the rear end, the reusable portion 104 has an electrical contact 146. Figure 3b When the reusable portion 104 is fully inserted into the handle 116, it contacts the electrical contact 302 in the handle 116. Figure 3aThe internal cable (not shown) connects the imaging module 114 to the cable 132 via electrical contacts 302, 146, and 134 and connector 130, for transmitting power and image data. As mentioned earlier, electrical contact 134 can be omitted in examples where cable communication with an external processing / display unit is not required.

[0030] It is worth noting that, to ensure easy assembly of the endoscope 100 and proper insertion of the reusable portion 104 into the handle 116, the handle and the reusable portion are shaped such that the reusable portion can only be inserted into the handle in one orientation. For example, as... Figure 2 As shown, the left side of the opening end 120 of the handle 116 has a smaller curvature than the right side, and the rear end of the reusable portion 104 is similarly shaped to ensure correct insertion orientation so that the electrical contacts 302 and 146 can engage. Note that the front end of the reusable portion 104 is larger, therefore the reusable portion 104 cannot be inserted backward into the handle 116.

[0031] Figure 3a and Figure 3b These are cross-sectional views of the endoscope 100 from different angles. As described above, the orientation and spacing of elements such as opening 136 (and switch 140) and 138 (and contact 134) are... Figure 1 Variations in [the text]. Figures 1-3b In this diagram, parts with the same number are identical or similar and have the same or similar functions as all other parts.

[0032] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the disposable portion 102 in some embodiments of the invention, with the cap 128 detachably secured to the open end of the handle 116 within a sterile bag 400. Preferably, the disposable portion 102 and cap 128 are packaged and stored in this manner at the manufacturing site until needed during a medical procedure. During the medical procedure, the sterile bag 400 is torn open and discarded, the cap 128 is manually removed from the handle 116, the reusable portion 104 is inserted into the handle 116, and the cap 128 removed from the handle 116 is then placed on the front end of the reusable portion 104 and adjacent to the handle 116. In embodiments providing cable connection to an external processing / display unit, a connector 130 inserts and mates with contacts 134 to connect the thus assembled endoscope 100 to an external display and / or image processing unit, as further described below. Details regarding how the cap 128 remains in place and how it seals the interior of the reusable portion 104 and the handle 116 will also be described further below.

[0033] Figures 5-8 These are, respectively, the side view, rear view, top view, and front view of the endoscope 100 in some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 5A switch 502 is shown, positioned for operation by a user's index finger, and can be used for a function such as taking a photo or video screenshot with the imaging module 114, or some other function. A switch 142 under the cover 128 can be used for the same or different functions, such as powering the imaging module 114. In other respects, Figures 5-8 The same endoscope 100 is shown, with variations in the orientation and spacing of the front end components of the aforementioned reusable portion 104 and cap 128.

[0034] Figure 9 An important feature of the endoscope 100 is shown—in some embodiments, almost the entire length of the reusable portion 104 is contained within the handle 116. For example, more than 9 / 10, 4 / 5, 3 / 4, or 1 / 2 of the length of the reusable portion along axis 118 is received within the handle 116. A small portion of the length of the reusable portion 104 protruding from the distal end of the handle 116 is covered by a cap 128, which also covers adjacent portions of the handle 116. In this configuration, the cap 128 and the hollow handle 116 protect the entire reusable portion 104 from contamination during the medical procedure. After the medical procedure, the cap 128 is removed by hand, the reusable portion 104 is pulled out of the handle 116, the disposable portion 102 is discarded as medical waste, and the reusable portion 104 requires only moderate cleaning or sterilization before being assembled into a new endoscope 100 with another new disposable portion 102.

[0035] Furthermore, such as Figure 9 As shown, the rear portion of lumen 902 may have a duckbill valve 904 at its front end, which is normally closed to prevent backflow of fluid from the rear port 122. However, the tip of a surgical instrument (not shown) introduced into the front end through the rear port 122 will open the valve 904, allowing the instrument to pass through the valve 904 at the front end, then through the rest of lumen 904, through housing 106, fluid hub 110, and cannula 112, and exit through the front port 126. Preferably, intermediate port 124 communicates with the same lumen 902, such that fluid injected into port 124 can exit through the front port 126, or suction applied to intermediate port 124 can draw away fluid entering through the front port 126. If fluid flow through intermediate port 124 is not desired, the port can be closed with a cap (not shown).

[0036] The reusable portion 104 may include a rechargeable battery 906, operatively coupled to the power supply of the imaging module 114 via switches 140 and / or 502 in the reusable portion 104 and the disposable portion 102, and one of the internal cables (not shown). Furthermore, the reusable portion 104 may include electronics 908 connected to the imaging module 114 to control the imaging module and process image data from it. In some embodiments, the electronics 908 may include WiFi or near-field facilities connected to an external processing / display unit such as 1402, and may also include facilities that fully or almost fully control the operation of the imaging module 114 via appropriate switches, and fully or almost fully process the image data from the module 114 into an image for display, so that the external processing / display unit such as unit 1400 or 1402 only requires minimal processing of the image data or the displayed image. In some embodiments, partial or complete control of the imaging module 114 and partial or complete processing of the image data from the module 114 may be performed by the external processing / display unit such as 1400 or 1402.

[0037] Figure 10 and Figure 11 These are exploded perspective views of some embodiments of the present invention, showing details of the cover 128 and the front end portion of the reusable part 104 from two perspectives. Figure 10 As shown, the front end of the reusable portion 104 is larger than the rest of the reusable portion 104 and ends at a boss 104a, so that when the portion 104 is fully inserted into the housing 116, the boss 104a is aligned with the opening 120 of the hollow handle 116. Figure 2 The reusable portion 104 may have a ribbed portion 104b at its front end to help the user grip the reusable portion 104 when inserting or withdrawing the handle 116. The cap 128 preferably has a protrusion 128a on its inner surface, configured to fit within the endoscope 100 as... Figure 1 The threads 116a seen during assembly surround and extend radially outward from the opening 120 of the handle 116 ( Figure 2 The front end is positioned to help keep the lid 128 in place.

[0038] Importantly, when the endoscope 100 is assembled, the cap 128 not only covers the portion of the reusable portion 104 that protrudes from the front end of the handle 116, but also covers the adjacent portion of the handle 116, thereby sealing the interface between the open end of the handle 116 and the reusable portion 104. Additional protrusions may be provided on the inside of the cap 128 to engage with the channel 104c of the front protrusion of the reusable portion 104 to help maintain the position of the cap 128 within the assembled endoscope 100.

[0039] Figure 10 A sheet 128c made of a flexible and elastic material is also shown, which is located on the front wall 128d of the cover 128. Figure 11 The inner side of the cover 128 helps to seal the front end of the reusable part 104, particularly the switch 140 and the interface between the contact point 134 and the connector 130, from the environment. The sheet 128c has an opening 136 for the connector 130. The cover 128 has two indentations 128b, only one of which is visible, used to secure the clip 148 so that the clip can rotate around these indentations to lock the connector 130 in place or release it, allowing the connector 130 to be pulled out of the endoscope 100. The endoscope can then be disassembled by pulling out the cover 128 and then pulling out the reusable part 104 from the disposable part 102. Figure 11 It shows the relationship with Figure 10 Same parts, but viewed from different angles. Figure 11 In the middle, switch 140 is visible, and sheet 128c in this case shows a smaller cover 128 that covers opening 138 (Fig. 3), through which switch 140 can extend when endoscope 100 is assembled. Figure 11 The arrow in the figure shows the position of the front wall 128d in the cover 128.

[0040] Figure 12 This is an exploded perspective view of the front end portion of the cannula 112 in some embodiments of the present invention. A video camera 14a and an LED light 114b are fitted into respective openings 14a' and 14b' of a housing 1202 fixed to the front end of the cannula 112, such that the camera and LED light face the front end. The camera 14a and LED light 14b can be configured to have a field of view and illumination direction, with their central axis 1204 at an angle, for example, 30 degrees, to the cannula axis 108.

[0041] Figure 13 This is an exploded perspective view of components of the disposable portion 102 and the reusable portion 104 in some embodiments of the present invention. Many components are designated by reference numerals discussed above. Figure 13 The components of the disposable part 102 seen in the image include a cover 1306 for the thumb wheel 144, an O-ring 1308 sealing the thumb wheel 144 to the housing 106, a bridge tube 1310 connecting the rear port 122 and the thumb wheel 144 to the fluid hub 110, and a seal 1312 sealing the tube 1310 to the housing 106. Only... Figure 13 The reusable part 104 seen in the diagram consists of two half-shells 1302 and 1304, which form a handle when attached together. As mentioned earlier, in examples where only wireless connectivity is required, the components related to cable connections to external devices can be omitted.

[0042] Figure 14 This is a perspective view of the endoscope 100 and the external processing / display unit or worktable 1400, which, in embodiments using cable connections, is connected to the endoscope 100 via a wireless link 1402 and / or via a cable 132 and connector 130. The external processing / display unit 1400 is powered via a plug 1404 from a power outlet. The device or worktable 1400 includes a display 1406 configured to display images and / or other data and images from the end-camera 114 at the tip of the cannula 112, a row of switches 1408 configured to control the functions of the endoscope 100 and the worktable 1400, and a switch 14108. Furthermore, the worktable 1400 has a bracket 1412 for a reusable section 104, which may include means (not shown) for charging the battery 906 in the reusable section 104. In addition, the workbench 1400 may include a cable and an HDMI 1412 or another high-speed connector for data connection to an external display 1414, which may be a large and / or high-definition display or workstation. A wireless link 1402 may also be used for connection between the endoscope 100 and / or the workbench 1400 and another device such as a smartphone, tablet, or workstation. The wireless link may be a WiFi link, or it may use Near Field Communication (NFC) or other protocols.

[0043] In some embodiments, the wireless connection 1402 is configured to automatically establish a transmission between the endoscope 100 and the external processing / display unit 1400. The external processing / display unit 1400 is configured such that, upon being turned on, it searches for and discovers the wireless endoscope 100 within range and already turned on, for example via switch 140, and then automatically connects to the endoscope 100 to receive and transmit wireless data. This transmission may include the transmission of images and / or other data from the endoscope 100 and / or commands and / or other information from the external processing / display unit 1400.

[0044] Preferably, in some embodiments, the wireless transmission between the endoscope 100 and the external processing / display unit 1400 uses proprietary protocols and / or encoding designed to maintain the privacy of the transmitted information, thereby preserving the confidentiality of medical information. This can limit or prevent access to confidential information by public wireless receivers or transmitters, as well as potential disruption of the transmitted information by other actors.

[0045] Although the foregoing has been described in detail for clarity, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention. It should be noted that many alternative ways of implementing the processes and apparatus described herein exist. Therefore, these embodiments should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive, and the subject matter of the work described herein is not limited to the details given herein, which can be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An endoscope, comprising: Single-use components include: A slender outer shell extending along the axis of the cannula; A fluid hub extending from the housing toward the front end along the cannula axis; A cannula extends along the cannula axis from the fluid hub toward the front end, where an imaging module is located. A hollow, funnel-shaped pistol handle extends from the outer casing along the handle axis, which intersects the cannula axis, with its rear end integrated with the outer casing and its front end open; The handle has an electrical contact inside and at its rear end, which is operatively coupled to the imaging module; There is a rear port at the rear end of the housing, an intermediate port at the fluid hub, and a front port at the front end of the cannula; An inner cavity extending from the rear port to the front port, which is fluidly connected to the rear port, the intermediate port, and the front port; The fluid hub and the cannula are mounted together so as to rotate relative to the housing about the cannula axis; and A manual rotation controller located at the rear end of the housing and connected to the fluid hub allows the fluid hub and the cannula to rotate relative to the housing about the cannula axis. A slender, reusable portion having a rear end portion configured to insert into the handle along the handle axis, and having an electrical contact at the rear end portion configured to engage with the electrical contact in the handle when the rear end portion of the reusable portion is inserted into the handle; and A cap made of a flexible and elastic material is configured to cover the open front end of the handle before the reusable portion is inserted into the handle, is manually removed from the handle before the reusable portion is inserted into the handle, and after the reusable portion is inserted into the handle, covers the front end portion of the reusable portion protruding from the handle along the handle axis and the adjacent portion of the handle, thereby covering the protruding portion of the reusable portion and its interface with the handle.

2. The endoscope of claim 1, further comprising, before assembling the disposable portion and the reusable portion into the endoscope, covering the disposable portion with a sterile bag, the cap thereon covering and enclosing the open front end of the handle.

3. The endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reusable portion includes a battery and control and processing electronics configured to control the imaging module to capture images in the field of view and receive image data from the imaging module, and further includes facilities for transmitting image data from the endoscope to an external processing / display unit.

4. The endoscope according to claim 3, characterized in that: The facility is configured to transmit image data using a proprietary protocol that differs from traditional WiFi.

5. The endoscope according to claim 3, characterized in that: The facility in the reusable portion is configured to convert received image data into a display image and transmit the display image to an external device for display.

6. The endoscope according to claim 3, characterized in that: The facility includes a wireless transmitter / receiver located in the reusable portion, and further includes an external processing / display device having a wireless transmitter / receiver configured to wirelessly communicate with the transmitter / receiver in the reusable portion, and to wirelessly receive image data received from the reusable portion and process it into a display image, and a display configured to display the display image.

7. The endoscope according to claim 6, characterized in that: The external processing / display unit is configured to automatically search for and wirelessly connect to the reusable part when it is turned on and within range.

8. The endoscope according to claim 3, characterized in that: The facility includes an electrical contact at the front end of the reusable portion, configured to mate with a connector for a cable leading to an external processing / display unit, and the cover includes an opening for the contact, configured to prevent liquids from the environment from reaching the reusable portion around the connector.

9. The endoscope of claim 8, further comprising a clip mounted on the cover and configured to optionally engage the connector to retain contacts in contact with the connector at the reusable portion of the front end.

10. The endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the assembled endoscope, more than four-fifths of the reusable portion along the length of the handle axis is received into the handle, while less than one-fifth protrudes from the handle.

11. The endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: More than three-quarters of the length of the reusable portion along the axis of the handle is received in the handle in the assembled endoscope, while less than one-quarter protrudes from the handle.

12. The endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cavity has a constant internal dimension from the rear port to the front port.

13. The endoscope of claim 1, further comprising a manual switch at the front end of the reusable portion, wherein at least the portion of the cover on the switch is flexible, allowing the switch to be manually operated via the cover.

14. An endoscope comprising: The single-use portion includes an elongated housing extending along the cannula axis, a fluid hub extending from the housing toward the front end along the cannula axis, a cannula extending from the fluid hub toward the front end along the cannula axis and having an imaging module at the front end, and a handle extending from the housing along a handle axis transverse to the cannula axis, the handle being hollow and having an open front end. The single-use portion further includes: It has a rear port at its rear end, an intermediate port at the fluid hub, and a front port at the front end of the cannula; An inner cavity located in fluid flow connection with the port; Inside the hollow handle, at its rear end, there is an electrical contact that is operatively coupled to the imaging module; A cap made of a flexible and elastic material, configured to removably close the open front end of the handle; and A sterile bag surrounds the disposable part, with the lid closing the open end of the hollow handle; The handle is configured to insert a reusable portion therein after the cover is removed from the open end of the handle; and The cap is configured to cover the open end of the handle and the adjacent portion of the reusable part after the reusable part is inserted into the handle to assemble the endoscope.

15. The endoscope of claim 14, further comprising a reusable portion configured to be received into the hollow handle after the cap is manually removed from the handle, the reusable portion having a front end portion projecting from the handle along the handle axis such that more than half the length of the reusable portion is within the hollow handle.

16. The endoscope according to claim 15, characterized in that: The hollow handle is configured to accept more than two-thirds of the length of the reusable portion, such that less than one-third of the length of the reusable portion protrudes from the front end of the handle.

17. The endoscope according to claim 15, characterized in that: The hollow handle is configured to accept more than three-quarters of the length of the reusable portion, such that less than one-quarter of the length of the reusable portion protrudes from the front end of the handle.

18. The endoscope of claim 14, further comprising an external processing / display unit having an image display and being wirelessly or via cable connected to a reusable portion to receive and display image data from the imaging module.

19. An endoscope comprising: The single-use portion includes an elongated outer shell extending along the cannula axis, a cannula extending from the front end of the outer shell along the cannula axis and having an imaging module at the front end, and a hollow funnel-shaped handle integral with the outer shell, the handle extending from the outer shell along the cannula axis and having an open front end. The single-use portion further includes: It has a rear port at its rear end, a front port at the front end of the cannula, and an intermediate port between the rear and front ports; An internal cavity that is fluidly connected to the port; The reusable portion is configured to have its rear end portion manually inserted into the hollow handle via the open front end of the handle, thereby causing the protruding front end portion of the reusable portion to extend from the front end of the handle. Wherein, the length of the rear end portion of the reusable part along the handle axis exceeds half of the length of the reusable part; A lid made of a flexible and elastic material is configured to fit the open end of the hollow handle before the reusable part is inserted into the handle, and covers the protruding part of the reusable part and the adjacent part of the handle after the reusable part is inserted into the handle.

20. The endoscope according to claim 19, characterized in that: The handle is configured to accept more than two-thirds of the length of the reusable portion, such that less than one-third of the length of the reusable portion protrudes from the rear end of the handle.

21. The endoscope according to claim 19, characterized in that: The handle is configured to accept more than three-quarters of the length of the reusable portion, such that less than one-quarter of the length of the reusable portion protrudes from the rear end of the handle.

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