Endoscopic device and system

Abstract

An endoscopic system may include a catheter or tubing and at least one optical sensor disposed along the catheter or tubing and configured to capture image information from a body lumen when disposed within the body lumen and activated. The system may further include an untethered module operatively arranged with the at least one optical sensor and configured to store or transmit image information captured by the at least one optical sensor. The catheter or tubing, at least one optical sensor and module may be portable during use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An endoscopic device comprising:
 a catheter or tubing; and   at least two optical sensors attached to the catheter or tubing and spaced away from each other along the catheter or tubing such that image information from each of a retropalatal region and retrolingual region of a patient's upper airway is captured when (i) one of the at least two optical sensors is disposed within the retropalatal region and another of the at least two optical sensors is disposed within the retrolingual region, and the retropalatal and retrolingual regions are separated by an obstruction and (ii) the at least two optical sensors are activated.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the at least two optical sensors are spaced at least 5 mm apart from each other along the catheter or tubing. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the at least two optical sensors are spaced at least 10 mm apart from each other along the catheter or tubing. 
     
     
         4 . An endoscopic system comprising:
 a catheter or tubing;   at least one optical sensor disposed along the catheter or tubing and configured to capture image information from a body lumen when disposed within the body lumen and activated; and   an untethered module operatively arranged with the at least one optical sensor and configured to store or transmit wirelessly image information captured by the at least one optical sensor, wherein the catheter or tubing, at least one optical sensor and module are portable during use.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the module includes at least one of a power source, memory, transmitter, microphone and illumination source. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4  further comprising a band or cuff attachable with the module and configured to secure the module to a patient's body. 
     
     
         7 . An endoscopic system comprising:
 a catheter or tubing;   at least two optical sensors disposed along the catheter or tubing and configured to capture image information from a body lumen when disposed within the body lumen and activated; and   an untethered module operatively arranged with the at least two optical sensors and configured to store or transmit wirelessly image information captured by the at least two optical sensors, wherein the catheter or tubing, at least two optical sensors and module are portable during use.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the module includes at least one of a power source, memory, transmitter, microphone and illumination source. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7  further comprising a band or cuff attachable with the module and configured to secure the module to a patient's body. 
     
     
         10 . An endoscopic system comprising:
 a catheter or tubing;   at least one optical sensor disposed along the catheter or tubing and configured to capture image information from a body lumen when disposed within the body lumen and activated; and   an untethered module operatively arranged with the at least one optical sensor and configured to store or transmit wirelessly image information captured by the at least one optical sensor, wherein the catheter or tubing, at least one optical sensor and module are portable during use and wherein the module includes at least one of a memory for storage of image information, a transmitter and a microphone.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  further comprising a band or cuff attachable with the module and configured to secure the module to a patient's body.