Multi Camera Endoscope Having a Side Service Channel

Abstract

There is provided herein an endoscope assembly comprising at least one front-pointing camera and at least one front illuminator associated therewith, at least one side-pointing camera and at least one of side illuminator associated therewith, a front working channel configured for insertion of a medical tool and a side service channel configured for insertion of a medical tool.

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         21 . A tip section of an endoscope, the tip section comprising:
 a fluid channeling component having a length and a height, wherein the fluid channeling component has a proximal section and, along the height, has a first fraction extending distally from the proximal section and a second fraction, wherein the proximal section is cylindrical and comprises a first side channel, the first side channel having an opening on a curved side wall defining the proximal section;   an electrical assembly configured to fit within the second fraction, wherein the electrical assembly comprises at least one front-pointing camera, at least one front illuminator, an integrated circuit board, a first side-pointing camera, a first side illuminator, a second side-pointing camera, and a second illuminator; and   a tip cover section having a plurality of curved side walls, the tip cover section configured to be removably attached to the fluid channeling component and configured to enclose the electrical assembly, wherein one of the plurality of curved side walls has an opening configured to be aligned with and over the opening on the curved side wall defining the proximal section.   
     
     
         22 . The tip section of an endoscope according to  claim 21 , wherein the tip cover section comprises a front working channel configured to mate to the working channel of the fluid channeling component and provide a contiguous pathway for receiving a medical tool. 
     
     
         23 . The tip section of an endoscope according to  claim 21 , wherein the tip cover section comprises a planar distal face. 
     
     
         24 . The tip section of an endoscope according to  claim 21 , wherein the first fraction is semi-cylindrical and comprises a housing that extends outward from the proximal section and has encased therein a working channel. 
     
     
         25 . The tip section of an endoscope according to  claim 21 , wherein the second fraction comprises a void within which said electrical assembly is configured to fit. 
     
     
         26 . The tip section of an endoscope according to  claim 23 , wherein the fluid channeling component comprises a distal section that aligns with the planar distal face of the tip cover section. 
     
     
         27 . The tip section of an endoscope according to  claim 26 , wherein the first fraction is semi-cylindrical and comprises a housing that extends outward from the proximal section to the distal section and that has encased therein a working channel. 
     
     
         28 . The tip section of an endoscope according to  claim 21 , further comprising at least one front fluid injector configured for cleaning at least one of the front-pointing camera and at least one of the front illuminator. 
     
     
         29 . The tip section of an endoscope according to  claim 21  further comprising at least one first side fluid injector configured to clean the first side-pointing camera and the first side illuminator adjacent the first side-pointing camera. 
     
     
         30 . The tip section of an endoscope according to  claim 21  further comprising at least one second side fluid injector configured to clean the second side-pointing camera and the second side illuminator adjacent the second side-pointing camera. 
     
     
         31 . The tip section of an endoscope according to  claim 21  further comprising a pathway fluid injector for inflating or cleaning a body cavity into which the endoscope is inserted. 
     
     
         32 . The tip section of an endoscope according to  claim 21 , wherein the first side channel is curved at an obtuse angle relative to a longitudinal axis extending through the tip section. 
     
     
         33 . The tip section of an endoscope according to  claim 21  further comprising at least one front fluid injector configured to clean the front-pointing camera and the front illuminator, at least one first side fluid injector configured to clean the first side-pointing camera and the first side illuminator adjacent the first side-pointing camera, and at least one second side fluid injector configured to clean the second side-pointing camera and the second side illuminator adjacent the second side-pointing camera. 
     
     
         34 . The tip section of an endoscope according to  claim 33 , wherein the front fluid injector, the first side fluid injector and the second side fluid injector are connected to a same fluid supply channel. 
     
     
         35 . The tip section of an endoscope according to  claim 21 , wherein a field of view of the front-pointing camera and a field of view of the first side camera are at least partially overlapping. 
     
     
         36 . The tip section of an endoscope according to  claim 35 , wherein the field of view of the front-pointing camera and a field of view of the second side camera are at least partially overlapping. 
     
     
         37 . The tip section of an endoscope according to  claim 35 , wherein the front, the first side, and the second side-pointing cameras each comprise a lens assembly providing a distance within which objects remain in focus of approximately 3-100 millimeters.