Force feedback control system for video endoscope

Abstract

A video endoscope system includes a reusable control cabinet and an endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope may be used with a single patient and then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor, and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. An articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the actuators in the control cabinet or actuators in a control handle of the endoscope. Fluidics, electrical, navigation, image, display and data entry controls are integrated into the system along with other accessories.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . An endoscopic system, comprising:
 an elongate shaft including a distal end;   a lens assembly at the distal end of the elongate shaft;   a light source at the distal end of the elongate shaft configured to emit light onto a target area;   an image sensor at the distal end of the elongate shaft configured to receive reflected light from the target area through the lens assembly, produce one or more signals indicative of an image of the target area, and transmit the one or more signals to a display device configured to display the image of the target area.   
     
     
         10 . The endoscopic system of  claim 9 , wherein the image sensor includes a solid state imaging device. 
     
     
         11 . The endoscopic system of  claim 9 , wherein the image sensor includes a CMOS imaging sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The endoscopic system of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more signals include one or more signals that are in digital format. 
     
     
         13 . The endoscopic system of  claim 9 , wherein the light source includes at least one light emitting diode. 
     
     
         14 . The endoscopic system of  claim 9 , further including a distal cap configured to receive the lens assembly, light source, and image sensor. 
     
     
         15 . A handheld controller for an endoscopic system, comprising:
 a body coupled to the elongate shaft;   a plurality of electrical switches on the body; and   a multi-positional joystick on the body, configured to move in a plurality of directions, the multi-positional joystick being configured to move a distal tip of the elongate shaft.   
     
     
         16 . The handheld controller of  claim 15 , further including a force feedback mechanism coupled to the multi-positional joystick, configured to apply a force to the multi-positional joystick when the multi-positional joystick is moved by a user. 
     
     
         17 . The handheld controller of  claim 16 , wherein the force feedback mechanism includes a spring coupled to the multi-positional joystick. 
     
     
         18 . The handheld controller of  claim 16 , wherein the force feedback mechanism includes a rack and pinion mechanism coupled to the multi-positional joystick. 
     
     
         19 . The handheld controller of  claim 15 , further including a breakout box coupled to the body, the breakout box including an entrance into a working channel of the elongate shaft. 
     
     
         20 . The handheld controller of  claim 19 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the breakout box is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the body. 
     
     
         21 . An endoscope cap, comprising:
 a distal face including a plurality of openings;   one or more illumination sources configured to illuminate a target area with light;   a lens assembly configured to receive reflected light from the target area; and   an imaging sensor configured to generate one or more signals based on the received reflected light.   
     
     
         22 . The endoscope cap of  claim 21 , further including a semi-circular section having a concave recess configured to receive the lens assembly and hold the lens assembly substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the endoscope cap. 
     
     
         23 . The endoscope cap of  claim 21 , further including a circuit board onto which the one or more illumination sources are bonded. 
     
     
         24 . The endoscope cap of  claim 21 , further including a heat exchanger. 
     
     
         25 . The endoscope cap of  claim 21 , wherein the heat exchanger includes one or more scalloped channels around a circumference of a distal tip of the endoscope cap, the one or more scalloped channels being configured to increase the surface area of the distal tip and increase the ability of the tip to dissipate heat from the one or more illumination sources and the imaging sensor.