Endoscopic imaging system

Abstract

An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . An articulation joint for use in a steerable medical device, comprising
 a number of stacked annular rings, each ring having a pair of convex cams extending outwardly from a first surface of the ring and a pair of inwardly extending concave pockets positioned on a second surface of the ring such that the convex cams of an adjacent annular ring fit within the concave pockets.   
     
     
         2 . The articulation joint of  claim 1 , wherein the annular rings include holes for the passage of control cables. 
     
     
         3 . The articulation joint of  claim 2 , wherein the holes are aligned with the convex cams and concave pockets. 
     
     
         4 . The articulation joint of  claim 2 , wherein the holes are offset from the convex cams and concave pockets. 
     
     
         5 . The articulation joint of  claim 3 , wherein the holes extending through the convex cams form a slot at the edge of the convex cams. 
     
     
         6 . The articulation joint of  claim 5 , wherein the holes have a flared shape with a first width on a side of the annular ring opposite a convex cam and a width that expands to form the slot as the hole extends through the convex cam. 
     
     
         7 . The articulation joint of  claim 1 , wherein each annular ring is made of a polymer. 
     
     
         8 . The articulation joint of  claim 7 , wherein the polymer is one of the polyurethane, polypropylene, or polyethylene. 
     
     
         9 . An articulation joint in a steerable medical device, comprising
 a number of cylindrical rings having a first rim and a second rim,   wherein each ring includes a pair of convex camming surfaces positioned 180° apart on one of the first or second rims and a pair of concave recesses positioned 180° apart on the other of the first or second rims, wherein a portion of the convex camming surfaces fits with the concave recesses of an adjacent ring.   
     
     
         10 . The articulation joint of  claim 9 , wherein each of the cylindrical rings are made of polymer. 
     
     
         11 . The articulation joint of  claim 9 , wherein the cylindrical rings include two or more holes passing axially through the ring. 
     
     
         12 . The articulation joint of  claim 11 , wherein the holes pass through the convex camming surfaces and the concave recesses. 
     
     
         13 . The articulation joint of  claim 12 , wherein the holes have a width that increase in size within the convex camming surface such that the holes form an elongated slot at an edge of the convex camming surfaces. 
     
     
         14 . The articulation joint of  claim 9 , wherein the convex camming surfaces on a ring are oriented at 90° with respect to the concave recesses on the same ring.