Endoscope with low-profile distal section

Abstract

An endoscope can comprise a proximal section, an insertion section extending longitudinally from the proximal section and comprising an elongate tubular body disposed along an insertion section longitudinal axis and a lumen extending through the elongate tubular body, and a distal section extending from the insertion section and comprising an elevator portion comprising an elevator configured to position and orient one or more endotherapy tools extending from the lumen, and a camera module comprising an illumination unit and an imaging unit. The camera module can be positioned longitudinally spaced apart from the elevator portion in an in-line configuration, such that the insertion tube longitudinal axis passes through the elevator portion and the camera module. The camera module can be user-detachable from the elevator portion. The camera module can be cleaned and sanitized for reuse and the insertion section can be disposable.

1 .- 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . An endoscope comprising:
 an insertion sheath comprising:
 a proximal section; 
 an insertion section extending longitudinally from the proximal section, the insertion section comprising:
 an elongate tubular body disposed along an insertion section longitudinal axis; and 
 a lumen extending through the elongate tubular body; and 
 
 a distal section extending from the insertion section, the distal section comprising:
 an elevator portion comprising an elevator configured to position and orient one or more endotherapy tools extending from the lumen; and 
 
   a camera module comprising an illumination unit and an imaging unit, the camera module being user-detachable from the elevator portion.   
     
     
         16 . The endoscope of  claim 15 , wherein the camera module is positioned longitudinally spaced apart from the elevator portion in an in-line configuration, such that the insertion section longitudinal axis passes through the elevator portion and the camera module. 
     
     
         17 . The endoscope of  claim 15 , wherein the camera module comprises:
 an imaging unit passageway;   an objective lens coupled to a distal end of the imaging unit passageway;   an illumination unit passageway; and   an illumination lens coupled to a distal end of the illumination unit passageway.   
     
     
         18 . The endoscope of  claim 15 , wherein the camera module comprises:
 a photosensitive element;   an objective lens coupled to the photosensitive element;   a light source;   an illumination lens coupled to the light source; and   a wireless communication device.   
     
     
         19 . The endoscope of  claim 15 , wherein the camera module comprises:
 an illumination lens;   an objective lens;   a first coupler configured to connect a first portion of a light conductor connected to the illumination lens and a second portion of the light conductor connected to the distal section; and   a second coupler configured to connect a first portion of a cable connected to the objective lens and a second portion of the cable connected to the distal section.   
     
     
         20 . The endoscope of  claim 15 , wherein the camera module is user-detachable from the elevator portion via an attachment mechanism, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises:
 at least one locking tab extending from one of the camera module or the elevator portion; and   a recess provided in the other of the camera module or the elevator portion not having the at least one locking tab;   wherein the at least one locking tab is actuatable by a user to attach or remove the camera module from the elevator portion.   
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method of processing modular endoscope components for performing a surgical procedure with a modular endoscope, the method comprising:
 attaching a camera module to an insertion sheath;   treating a patient with the insertion sheath having the attached camera module; and   deconstructing the modular endoscope components of the modular endoscope into reusable and disposable components.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising assembling the modular endoscope components of the modular endoscope at a surgical facility. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 disposing of the disposable components; and   cleaning and sanitizing the reusable components.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein:
 the disposable components comprise the insertion sheath; and   the reusable components comprise the camera module.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising reusing the cleaned and sanitized reusable components in a subsequent medical procedure. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising returning the cleaned and sanitized reusable components to inventory of a medical facility. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein disposing of the disposable components comprises destroying the disposable components. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 identifying a specific patient to receive a specific treatment, the specific patient comprising the patient; and   selecting the insertion sheath to deliver the specific treatment.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 assembling a particular treatment module with the attachment sheath to provide the selected treatment, wherein the treatment module is selected from a plurality of treatment modules each having a different treatment capability.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 assembling a particular control module with the attachment sheath to control the selected treatment module, wherein the control module is selected from a plurality of control modules each having a different control capability.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein attaching the camera module to the insertion sheath comprises:
 attaching the camera module to a distal end of the insertion sheath using an attachment mechanism, the attachment mechanism comprising:
 at least one locking tab extending from one of the camera module or the insertion sheath; and 
 a recess provided in the other of the camera module or the insertion sheath not having the locking tab, the recess configured to receive the at least one locking tab; 
 wherein the locking tab is actuatable by a user to attach or remove the camera module to/from the insertion sheath. 
   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the insertion sheath comprises an elevator and the camera module is attached to the insertion sheath distal of the elevator. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein:
 the camera module comprises an illumination unit and an imaging unit; and   attaching the camera module to the insertion sheath comprises:
 connecting a first coupler configured to connect a first portion of a light conductor connected to the illumination unit and a second portion of the light conductor connected to the insertion sheath; and 
 connecting a second coupler configured to connect a first portion of a cable connected to the imaging unit and a second portion of the cable connected to the insertion sheath. 
   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the camera module comprises an illumination unit and an imaging unit arranged in a side-by-side configuration. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the camera module comprises an illumination unit and an imaging unit arranged in an axially-aligned configuration. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the insertion sheath and camera module comprise the endoscope of  claim 15 .