US2009099417A1PendingUtilityA1

Disposable endoscope

46
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Aug 15, 2003Filed: Dec 18, 2008Published: Apr 16, 2009
Est. expiryAug 15, 2023(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Darrell Hartwick
A61B 90/37A61B 1/0051A61B 1/05A61B 1/0052A61B 2017/0023A61B 1/00071A61B 1/00103A61B 1/07
46
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Claims

Abstract

This invention relates to an endoscope, particularly a bronchoscope, incorporating one or more multifunctional component made of a material that is multifunctional. The endoscopes of this invention comprise at least one multifunctional component having more than one function wherein the functions were previously performed separately by individual components.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 - 71 . (canceled) 
     
     
         72 . An endoscope having a proximal portion and a distal portion, said endoscope comprising:
 a tube having a distal end and a proximal end and having an open lumen disposed from said distal end to said proximal end, and said tube also having an outer shielding layer, an inner compressive layer and a middle conductive layer;   at least one tensile member disposed within said compressive layer, and said tensile member extending from said distal end to said proximal end of said tube;   an electronic chip positioned at the distal end of said tube, and said electronic chip being electrically connected to said conductive layer; and,   a lens positioned at the distal end of said tube and connected to the electronic chip,   wherein said inner compressive layer is a light transmitting material, wherein the tube comprises a flex circuit which comprises the outer shielding layer and said flex circuit includes a current carrying component providing current to the electronic chip, and further comprising at least one wire that is attached to the electronic chip, and said wire is further disposed to transmit current to said chip and also disposed to transmit current to a light source within the endoscope;
 wherein said electronic chip includes a video circuit, said video circuit being disposed to produce an electronic video signal, and said electronic chip further disposed within said endoscope to bear force as a tensile maker; 
 said outer shielding layer being disposed about said endoscope to: (i) protect at least said middle conductive layer and also said inner compressive layer from mechanical shock forces, and (ii) provide EMI shielding; and, wherein
 said tensile member is disposed to: (i) steer said distal portion of said endoscope to point to different directions and transmit a video signal and (ii) transmit electric current within said endoscope; and wherein the-tensile member is made of at least one of copper, BeCu or copper-coated steel. 
 
   
     
     
         73 . The endoscope of  claim 72 , wherein the tensile member further provides transmission of light. 
     
     
         74 . The endoscope of  claim 72 , wherein said lumen is filled with a compressive load bearing material. 
     
     
         75 . The endoscope of claim  22 , wherein the tube comprises a flex circuit which comprises the outer shielding layer and a current carrying component providing current to the electronic chip. 
     
     
         76 . The endoscope of  claim 75 , wherein said lumen is filled with a load bearing material. 
     
     
         77 . An endoscope having a proximal portion and a distal portion wherein said distal portion comprises (a), (b) and (c) wherein,
 (a) is a tube having a distal end and a proximal end with an open lumen wherein said tube has an outer shielding layer, an inner compressive layer and a middle conductive layer, wherein one or more tensile members are positioned within said compressive layer and said tensile members extend from said distal end to said proximal end of the tube,   (b) is an electronic chip positioned at the distal end of said tube wherein said electronic chip is electronically connected to said conductive layer, and   (c) is a lens positioned at the distal end of said tube and connected to the electronic chip,   wherein said inner compressive layer is a light transmitting material; and wherein the lumen is filled with a compressive load bearing material.   
     
     
         78 . The endoscope of  claim 77 , wherein the compressive load bearing material is steel. 
     
     
         79 . The endoscope of  claim 77 , wherein the tube comprises a flex circuit which comprises the outer shielding layer and a current carrying component providing current to the electronic chip. 
     
     
         80 . An endoscope having a proximal portion and a distal portion wherein said distal portion comprises (a), (b) and (c) wherein,
 (a) is a tube having a distal end and a proximal end with an open lumen wherein said tube has an outer shielding layer, an inner compressive layer and a middle conductive layer, wherein one or more tensile members are positioned within said compressive layer and extend from said distal end to said proximal end of the tube,   (b) is an electronic chip positioned at the distal end of said tube wherein said electronic chip is electronically connected to said conductive layer, and   (c) is a lens positioned at the distal end of said tube and connected to the electronic chip,   
       wherein said electronic chip is connected to one or more multifunctional wires wherein said one or more multifunctional wires transmit current to said electronic chip and transmit current to a light within said endoscope. 
     
     
         81 . The endoscope of  claim 80 , wherein the multifunctional wires are made of copper or aluminum. 
     
     
         82 . The endoscope of  claim 80 , wherein the tube comprises a flex circuit which comprises the outer shielding layer and a current carrying component providing current to the electronic chip. 
     
     
         83 . The endoscope of  claim 80 , wherein the lumen is filled or partially filled with a compressive load bearing material. 
     
     
         84 . The endoscope of  claim 80 , wherein the compressive load bearing material which fills or partially fills the lumen is steel. 
     
     
         85 . The endoscope of  claim 83 , wherein the tube comprises a flex circuit which comprises the outer shielding layer and a current carrying component providing current to the electronic chip. 
     
     
         86 . The endoscope of  claim 80 , comprising a multifunctional component wherein said multifunctional component is selected from the group consisting of (d), (e) and (f) wherein:
 (d) is a multifunctional video circuit wherein said video circuit   (i) transmits a video signal and serves as a tensile member, or   (ii) transmits a video signal and transmits current to the electronic chip;   (e) is the outer shielding layer wherein said outer shielding layer is multifunctional providing   (i) protection and a substrate for a signal trace, or   (ii) protection and EMI shielding, or   (iii) protection and transmission of light; and   (f) is the tensile member wherein said tensile member is multifunctional providing,   (i) steering and transmission of a video signal, or   (ii) steering and transmission of current to a light within said endoscope, or   (iii) steering and transmission of light.   
     
     
         87 . The endoscope of  claim 86 , wherein the multifunctional video circuit is made of copper or BeCu or copper-coated steel. 
     
     
         88 . The endoscope of  claim 86 , wherein the multifunctional outer shielding layer is a fluoropolymer. 
     
     
         89 . The endoscope of  claim 88 , wherein the polymer is polyimide. 
     
     
         90 . The endoscope of  claim 86 , wherein the multifunctional tensile member is made of polycarbonate, polymethylacrylic, or a composite of a polycarbonate, polymethylmethacrylic or polyvinylchloride polymer and stainless steel mesh. 
     
     
         91 . The endoscope of  claim 86 , wherein the tube comprises a flex circuit which comprises the outer shielding layer and a current carrying component providing current to the electronic chip. 
     
     
         92 . The endoscope of  claim 83 , comprising a multifunctional component selected from the group consisting of (d), (e) and (f) wherein:
 (d) is a multifunctional video circuit wherein said video circuit:   (i) transmits a video signal and serves as a tensile member, or   (ii) transmits a video signal and transmits current to the electronic chip;   (e) is the outer shielding layer wherein said outer shielding layer is multifunctional providing:   (i) protection and a substrate for a signal trace,   (ii) protection and EMI shielding or   (iii) protection and transmission of light; and   (f) is the tensile member wherein said tensile member is multifunctional providing:   (i) steering and transmission of a video signal, or   (ii) steering and transmission of current to a light within said endoscope, or   (iii) steering and transmission of light.   
     
     
         93 . The endoscope of  claim 92 , wherein the multifunctional video circuit is copper, BeCu or copper-coated steel. 
     
     
         94 . The endoscope of  claim 92 , wherein the multifunctional outer shielding layer is a fluoropolymer. 
     
     
         95 . The endoscope of  claim 94 , wherein the polymer is polyimide. 
     
     
         96 . The endoscope of  claim 92 , wherein the multifunctional tensile member is made of polycarbonate, polymethy/acrylic, or a composite of a PC, PMMA, or PVC polymer and stainless steel mesh. 
     
     
         97 . The endoscope of  claim 92 , wherein the tube comprises a flex circuit which comprises the outer shielding layer and a current carrying component providing current to the electronic chip. 
     
     
         98 . An endoscope having a proximal portion and a distal portion wherein said distal portion comprises (a), (b) and (c) wherein,
 (a) is a tube having a distal end and a proximal end with an open lumen wherein said tube has an outer shielding layer and a conductive layer,   (b) is an electronic chip positioned at the distal end of said tube wherein said electronic chip is electronically connected to said conductive layer, and   (c) is a lens positioned at the distal end of said tube and connected to the electronic chip, and   
       wherein said lumen is filled with a compressive load bearing material and wherein one or more tensile members are positioned within said compressive load bearing material and extend from said distal end to said proximal end of the tube. 
     
     
         99 . The endoscope of  claim 98 , wherein the compressive load bearing material is made of steel. 
     
     
         100 . The endoscope of  claim 98 , wherein the tube comprises a flex circuit which comprises the outer shielding layer and a current carrying component providing current to the electronic chip. 
     
     
         101 . The endoscope of  claim 98 , comprising a multifunctional component selected from the group consisting of (d), (e) and (f) wherein:
 (d) is a multifunctional video circuit wherein said multifunctional video circuit   (i) transmits a video signal and serves as a tensile member or   (ii) transmits a video signal and transmits current to the electronic chip;   (e) is the outer shielding layer wherein said outer shielding layer is multifunctional providing   (i) protection and a substrate for a signal trace,   (ii) protection and EMI shielding or   (iii) protection and transmission of light; and   (f) is the tensile member wherein said tensile member is multifunctional providing   (i) steering and transmission of a video signal,   (ii) steering and transmission of current to a light within said endoscope, or   (iii) steering and transmission of light.   
     
     
         102 . The endoscope of  claim 101 , wherein the multifunctional video circuit is made of Copper, BeCu, or copper-coated steel. 
     
     
         103 . The endoscope of  claim 101 , wherein the multifunctional outer shielding layer is a fluoropolymer. 
     
     
         104 . The endoscope of  claim 103 , wherein the polymer is polyimide. 
     
     
         105 . The endoscope of  claim 101 , wherein the multifunctional tensile member is made of polycarbonate, polymethylacrylic, or a composite of a PC, PMMA, or PVC polymer and stainless steel mesh. 
     
     
         106 . The endoscope of  claim 101 , wherein the tube comprises a flex circuit which comprises the outer shielding layer and a current carrying component providing current to the electronic chip. 
     
     
         107 . An endoscope having a proximal end and a distal end wherein said distal end comprises (a), (b), (c) and (d) wherein,
 (a) is a tube having a distal end and a proximal end with an open lumen wherein said tube has an outer shielding layer, an inner compressive layer and a middle conductive layer, wherein one or more tensile members are positioned within said compressive layer and extend from said distal end to said proximal end of the tube,   (b) is an electronic chip positioned at the distal end of said tube wherein said electronic chip is electronically connected to said conductive layer, and   (c) is a lens positioned at the distal end of said tube and connected to the electronic chip, and   (d) is a multifunctional video circuit that transmits a video signal and electronically connects said electronic chip to said conductive layer.   
     
     
         108 . The endoscope of  claim 107 , wherein the multifunctional video circuit is made of Copper, Be Cu or copper-coated steel. 
     
     
         109 . The endoscope of  claim 107 , wherein the tube comprises a flex circuit which comprises the outer shielding layer and a current carrying component providing circuit to the electronic chip. 
     
     
         110 . The endoscope of  claim 107 , wherein the lumen is filled with a compressive load bearing material. 
     
     
         111 . The endoscope of  claim 109 , wherein the lumen is filled with a compressive load bearing material. 
     
     
         112 . The endoscope of  claim 107 , comprising a multifuctional component selected from the group consisting of (e) and (f) wherein:
 (e) is the outer shielding layer, wherein said outer shielding layer is multifunctional providing   (i) protection and serves as a substrate for a signal trace,   (ii) protection and EMI shielding or   (iii) protection and transmits light; and   (f) is the tensile member, wherein said tensile member provides   (i) steering and transmission of a video signal,   (ii) steering and transmission of current to a light within said endoscope, or   (iii) steering and transmission of light.   
     
     
         113 . The endoscope of  claim 112 , wherein the multifunctional outer shielding layer is made of a fluoropolymer. 
     
     
         114 . The endoscope of  claim 113 , wherein the multifunctional outer shielding layer is made of polyimide. 
     
     
         115 . The endoscope of  claim 112 , wherein the multifunctional tensile member is made of polycarbonate, polymethyl acrylic or a composite of a PC, PMMA, or PVC polymer and a stainless steel mesh. 
     
     
         116 . The endoscope of  claim 112 , wherein the tube comprises a flex circuit which comprises the outer shielding layer and a current carrying component providing current to the electronic chip. 
     
     
         117 . The endoscope of  claim 112 , wherein the lumen is filled with a compressive load bearing material. 
     
     
         118 . The endoscope of  claim 116 , wherein the lumen is filled with a compressive load bearing material. 
     
     
         119 . An endoscope having a proximal end and a distal end wherein said distal end comprises (a), (b) and (c) wherein,
 (a) is a tube having a distal end and a proximal end with an open lumen wherein said tube has an outer shielding layer, an inner compressive layer and a middle conductive layer, wherein one or more tensile members are positioned within said compressive layer and extend from said distal end to said proximal end of the tube,   (b) is an electronic chip positioned at the distal end of said tube wherein said electronic chip is electronically connected to said conductive layer, and   (c) is a lens positioned at the distal end of said tube and connected to the electronic chip, and   
       wherein said outer shielding layer is a multifunctional outer shielding layer providing:
 (i) protection and a substrate for a signal trace, 
 (ii) protection and EMI shielding or 
 (iii) protection and transmits light. 
 
     
     
         120 . The endoscope of  claim 119 , wherein the multifunctional outer shielding layer is made of a fluoropolymer. 
     
     
         121 . The endoscope of  claim 120 , wherein the multifunctional outer shielding layer is made of polymide. 
     
     
         122 . The endoscope of  claim 119 , wherein the tube comprises a flex circuit which comprises the outer shielding layer and a current carrying component providing current to the electronic chip. 
     
     
         123 . The endoscope of  claim 122 , wherein the lumen is filled with a compressive load bearing material. 
     
     
         124 . The endoscope of  claim 123 , wherein the said tensile member is a multifunctional tensile member providing
 (i) steering and transmission of a video signal,   (ii) steering and transmission of current to a light within said endoscope, or   (iii) steering and transmission of light.   
     
     
         125 . The endoscope of  claim 119 , wherein the lumen is filled with a compressive load bearing material. 
     
     
         126 . The endoscope of  claim 119 , wherein the said tensile member is a multifunctional tensile member providing:
 (i) steering and transmission of a video signal,   (ii) steering and transmission of current to a light within said endoscope, or   (iii) steering and transmission of light.   
     
     
         127 . The endoscope of  claim 124 , wherein the tube comprises a flex circuit which comprises the outer shielding layer and a current component providing current to the electronic chip. 
     
     
         128 . An endoscope having a proximal end and a distal end wherein said distal end comprises (a), (b) and (c) wherein,
 (a) is a tube having a distal end and a proximal end with an open lumen wherein said tube has an outer shielding layer, an inner compressive layer and a middle conductive layer, wherein one or more tensile member is positioned within said compressive layer and extends from said distal end to said proximal end of the tube,   (b) is an electronic chip positioned at the distal end of said tube wherein said electronic chip is electronically connected to said conductive layer, and   (c) is an lens positioned at the distal end of said tube and connected to the electronic chip, and   
       wherein said tensile member is a multifunctional tensile member providing:
 (i) steering and transmission of a video signal; 
 (ii) steering and transmission of current to a light within said endoscope, or 
 (iii) steering and transmission of light. 
 
     
     
         129 . The endoscope of  claim 128 , wherein said multifunctional tensile members are made of polycarbonate, polymethyl acrylic, or a composite of a PC, PMMA, or PVC polymer and a stainless steel mesh. 
     
     
         130 . The endoscope of  claim 128 , wherein the tube comprises a flex circuit comprising the outer shielding layer. 
     
     
         131 . The endoscope of  claim 128 , wherein the lumen is filled with a compressive load bearing material.

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