Endoscope with an imaging catheter assembly and method of configuring an endoscope

Abstract

An endoscope includes an insertion tube having an end, and an imaging catheter assembly. The imaging catheter assembly includes a tubular body, an imaging device, and a shape memory link that connects the imaging device to the tubular body.

1 . An assembly, comprising:
 a tubular body;   an imaging device; and   a shape memory link that connects the imaging device to the tubular body.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the shape memory link has a U-shaped natural configuration including two end segments, wherein one of the end segments is connected to the imaging device and the other end segment is connected to the tubular body. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the end segments are substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the shape memory link returns to its natural configuration after a force that straightens the shape memory link is removed. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the imaging device has a cylindrical housing having first and second ends and an imaging unit disposed in the housing, and wherein the imaging unit is disposed on the first end of the housing and the link is connected to the second end of the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the shape memory link includes a shape memory element and flexible electrical conductors connecting electrical conductors from the imaging device to electrical conductors in the tubular body. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the flexible electrical conductors are a flexible PCB. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the shape memory element and flexible PCB are placed side by side along a width in a width direction of the flexible PCB. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the shape memory element and flexible PCB are attached to each other. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the shape memory element and flexible PCB are stacked to form a layered structure. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the electrical conductors in the tubular body are embedded in a wall of the tubular body. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the electrical conductors in the tubular body are disposed in a channel of the tubular body. 
     
     
         13 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the link that is connected to the tubular body has a cylindrical end that is coaxially arranged with the tubular body. 
     
     
         21 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the link includes a shape memory element and a flexible PCB. 
     
     
         22 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the shape memory element and flexible PCB are placed side by side along a width of the flexible PCB. 
     
     
         23 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the shape memory element and flexible PCB are attached to each other. 
     
     
         24 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the shape memory element and flexible PCB are stacked to form a layered structure. 
     
     
         25 . The assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the flexible PCB includes electrical conductors connecting electrical conductors from the imaging device to electrical conductors in the tubular body. 
     
     
         26 . The assembly of  claim 25 , wherein the electrical conductors in the tubular body are embedded in a wall of the tubular body. 
     
     
         27 . The assembly of  claim 25 , wherein the electrical conductors in the tubular body are disposed in a channel of the tubular body. 
     
     
         28 . The assembly of  claim 21 , further comprising a light source, wherein the light source is placed on the link. 
     
     
         29 . The assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the light source is placed on a curved section of the link. 
     
     
         30 - 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . An endoscope assembly, comprising:
 an insertion tube having an end; and   an imaging catheter assembly including
 a tubular body, 
 a first imaging device, and 
 a shape memory link that connects the first imaging device to the tubular body. 
   
     
     
         39 . The endoscope assembly of  claim 38 , wherein the shape memory link has a U-shaped natural configuration including two end segments, wherein one of the end segments is connected to the imaging device and the other end segment is connected to the tubular body. 
     
     
         40 . The endoscope assembly of  claim 39 , wherein the distance between the end segments is equal to or less than a diameter of the insertion tube. 
     
     
         41 . The endoscope assembly of  claim 39 , wherein the shape memory link returns to its natural configuration after a force that straightens the shape memory link is removed. 
     
     
         42 . The endoscope assembly of  claim 39 , wherein the link includes a shape memory element and a flexible PCB. 
     
     
         43 . The endoscope assembly of  claim 42 , wherein the shape memory element and flexible PCB are attached to each other. 
     
     
         44 . The endoscope assembly of  claim 43 , wherein the shape memory element and flexible PCB are stacked to form a layered structure. 
     
     
         45 - 46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . The endoscope assembly of  claim 38 , wherein the link includes a shape memory element and a flexible PCB. 
     
     
         48 . The endoscope assembly of  claim 47 , further comprising a first light source, wherein the first light source is placed on the link. 
     
     
         49 . The endoscope assembly of  claim 47 , wherein the first light source is placed on a curved section of the link. 
     
     
         50 - 58 . (canceled) 
     
     
         59 . A method of configuring an endoscope, comprising:
 straightening a U-shaped flexible shape memory link at a distal end of an imaging catheter assembly;   inserting the straightened distal end of the imaging catheter assembly into a channel of an endoscope's insertion tube from a proximal end of the insertion tube; and   pushing the imaging catheter assembly further into the insertion tube until an auxiliary imaging device located at the distal end of the imaging catheter assembly and the flexible link are pushed out of the distal end of the insertion tube so that the flexible link returns to its natural bent configuration.   
     
     
         60 . A minor endoscope adapted to be inserted into and through a channel of a major endoscope, the minor endoscope including an elongated body, an imaging device located proximate to one end, and a flexible shape memory material coupled to the imaging device to the body;
 wherein the flexible shape memory material may be straightened for insertion into the major endoscope and wherein it assumes its original shape when it is extended beyond the major endoscope, the imaging device providing a retrograde view when the flexible shape memory material assumes its original shape.   
     
     
         61 . A minor endoscope as in  claim 60  further comprising a channel for accessories disposed along its length. 
     
     
         62 - 71 . (canceled)