Endoscope having auto-insufflation and exsufflation

Abstract

An endoscopic imaging system for examining a patient's body cavity includes an endoscope having a distal end, a proximal end and a number of lumens therein. One or more distal gas ports are disposed at or adjacent the distal end of the endoscope and one or more proximal gas ports are disposed proximal to the distal gas ports. Insufflation gas is delivered to the distal gas ports and withdrawn from the proximal gas ports or vice versa such that a gas bubble is formed in the body cavity and travels with the distal tip of the endoscope.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A system for automatically controlling the delivery of insufflation gas, the system comprising:
 a control cabinet including a processor;   one or more valves configured to control the delivery of insufflation gas to a patient; and   a tube removably connected to the control cabinet and including one or more sensors at a distal end of the tube;   wherein the processor is configured to obtain sensor readings from the one or more sensors and automatically control insufflation gas delivered to the patient as a function of the sensor readings.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more sensors includes an image sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the delivery of insufflation gas is controlled to maintain a predefined field of view in the image signals produced by the image sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more sensors includes a sensor configured to determine a pressure in a body cavity, wherein the processor is configured to control the delivery of insufflation gas to maintain a predetermined pressure in a body cavity. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the tube is dispensable. 
     
     
         12 . A system for automatically controlling the delivery of insufflation gas, the system comprising:
 a control cabinet including a processor;   at least one valve configured to control the delivery of insufflation gas; and   a tube removably connected to the control cabinet and including at least one sensor at a distal end of the tube;   wherein the processor is configured to receive sensor readings from the at least one sensor and automatically control the delivery of insufflation gas as a function of the sensor readings by controlling actuation of the at least one valve.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one sensor includes an image sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the processor is configured to control the delivery of insufflation gas to maintain a predefined view produced by the image sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one sensor includes a sensor configured to determine a pressure in a body cavity and an image sensor configured to produce image signals in the body cavity, and wherein the processor is configured to control the delivery of insufflation gas to maintain a predetermined pressure in the body cavity and to maintain a predefined view produced by the image sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a manifold configured to supply insufflation gas, a liquid, and aspiration to the tube. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one valve is configured to control the supply of insufflation gas, the liquid, and aspiration from the manifold. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the tube is removably coupled to the manifold. 
     
     
         19 . A system for automatically controlling the delivery of insufflation gas, the system comprising:
 a control cabinet including a processor;   at least one valve configured to control the delivery of insufflation gas; and   a tube removably connected to the control cabinet and including at least one sensor configured to determine a pressure in a body cavity;   wherein the processor is configured to receive pressure sensor readings from the at least one sensor and automatically control the delivery of insufflation gas to maintain a predetermined pressure in the body cavity by controlling actuation of the at least one valve.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising an image sensor. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the processor is configured to control the delivery of insufflation gas to maintain the predetermined pressure in the body cavity and to maintain a predefined view produced by the image sensor. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising a manifold configured to supply insufflation gas, a liquid, and aspiration to the tube. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one valve is configured to control the supply of insufflation gas, the liquid, and aspiration from the manifold. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the tube is removably coupled to the manifold.