Abstract: A disposable air/water valve for an endoscope, including a shaft having a passage from an opening to a vent. The shaft has grooves and ridges and a protrusion formed at the vent. Seals are set within some of the grooves. An inner ring, having a diaphragm, extends from an outer circumference of the inner ring to an internal circumference of an outer cap. Hinges extend vertically downward from the diaphragm and ribs are formed along the internal circumference of the outer cap. A button cap has an internal ring that securely attaches to the shaft. A resilient member is securely disposed between the button cap and the diaphragm. The outer cap, inner ring, and internal ring of the button cap define a central bore to accommodate the shaft therein.

Abstract: A disposable air/water valve for an endoscope, including a shaft having a passage from an opening to a vent. The shaft has grooves and ridges and a protrusion formed at the vent. Seals are set within some of the grooves. An inner ring, having a diaphragm, extends from an outer circumference of the inner ring to an internal circumference of an outer cap. Hinges extend vertically downward from the diaphragm and ribs are formed along the internal circumference of the outer cap. A button cap has an internal ring that securely attaches to the shaft. A resilient member is securely disposed between the button cap and the diaphragm. The outer cap, inner ring, and internal ring of the button cap define a central bore to accommodate the shaft therein.

Abstract: Endoscopes having a tip section with viewing elements coupled to a CMOS image sensor and/or a CCD image sensor for transforming light captured by the viewing element into digital and/or analog signals are described. A main connector is coupled with the tip section for transmitting the signals to a main control unit of the endoscope. The main connector includes a pad for transmitting digital signals provided by the CMOS image sensor to a push pin probe in a receptacle of the main control unit. The main connector also include another interface for transmitting analog signals to the main control unit.

Abstract: A system for detecting the location of an endoscopic device inside a patients' body comprises an endoscope assembly with an insertion tube having a set of codes indicative of an insertion depth and a rotational direction of the endoscopic device and a detector to detect the set of codes and calculate the location information. The images captured by the endoscopic device are automatically tagged with corresponding location information. Optionally, the endoscope assembly further comprises a system for generating three dimensional images and videos without increasing the number of cameras. Optionally, the endoscope assembly further comprises a system having a plurality of sensor devices for generating a real time image map of an endoscopic tip portion traversing a lumen. Optionally, the endoscope assembly further comprises a special garment for colonoscopy patients to preserve the modesty of the patients and to protect a physician from spraying fecal matter.

Abstract: Systems and methods of tracking the position of an endoscope within a patient's body during an endoscopic procedure is disclosed. The devices and methods include determining a position of the endoscope within the patient in the endoscope's coordinate system, capturing in an image fiducial markers attached to the endoscope by an external optical tracker, transforming the captured fiducial markers from the endoscope's coordinate system to the optical tracker's coordinate system, projecting a virtual image of the endoscope on a model of the patient's organ, and projecting or displaying the combined image.

Abstract: There is provided herein, an endoscope comprising an elongated shaft terminating with a tip section wherein said tip section comprises a permanent section connected to the elongated shaft and a removable section securely connectable to the permanent section, wherein the removable section comprises at least one capture device and at least one light source.

Abstract: A disposable air/water valve for an endoscope, including a shaft having a passage from an opening to a vent. The shaft has grooves and ridges and a protrusion formed at the vent. Seals are set within some of the grooves. An inner ring, having a diaphragm, extends from an outer circumference of the inner ring to an internal circumference of an outer cap. Hinges extend vertically downward from the diaphragm and ribs are formed along the internal circumference of the outer cap. A button cap has an internal ring that securely attaches to the shaft. A resilient member is securely disposed between the button cap and the diaphragm. The outer cap, inner ring, and internal ring of the button cap define a central bore to accommodate the shaft therein.

Abstract: There is provided herein an optical system for a tip section of a multi-sensor endoscope, the system comprising: a front-pointing camera sensor; a front objective lens system; a side-pointing camera sensor; and a side objective lens system, wherein at least one of said front and side objective lens systems comprises a front and a rear sub-systems separated by a stop diaphragm, said front sub-system comprises, in order from the object side, a first front negative lens and a second front positive lens, said rear sub-system comprises, in order from the object side, a first rear positive lens, an achromatic sub-assembly comprising a second rear positive lens and a third rear negative lens, wherein the following condition is satisfied: f(first rear positive lens)23 1.8 f, where f is the composite focal length of the total lens system and f(first rear positive lens) is the focal length of said first rear positive lens.

Abstract: There is provided herein an integrated manifold for the tip of a multiple viewing elements endoscope which combines the functionalities of the front holder, side holder/cage and fluid channeling components into a single part. The manifold includes square slots that are equipped with tracks. Square shaped lens assemblies having protrusions are used in the endoscope tip, such that the protrusions allow the optical assemblies to slide into the tracks of the square slots. This ensures gapless placement of viewing elements with no deviation in their position and field of view.

Abstract: Systems and methods of enhancing images use a contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE) algorithm in a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The images may be obtained by the imaging elements of a multiple imaging elements endoscope of an endoscopy system.

Abstract: There is provided herein, an electronic circuit board assembly for a tip section of a multiple viewing elements endoscope, the assembly including a base board configured to carry a first metal frame to support a front looking viewing element and a second metal frame to support a side looking viewing element; and a flexible illumination circuit board comprising a front foldable panel configured to carry three sets of front illuminators for essentially illuminating the field of view (FOV) of the front looking viewing element, and a side foldable panel configured to carry a set of side illuminators for essentially illuminating the field of view (FOV) of the side looking viewing element.

Abstract: The present specification is directed towards endoscopes, such as colonoscopes, that provide a broader field of view and allow extended access of surgical tools and also enable efficient packing of all necessary elements in the tip section, while maintaining their functionality. Also described are methods and systems for capturing and displaying still and video images using an endoscope corresponding to a left-side looking, a front-looking and a right-side looking viewing element of an endoscopic tip generated in a native aspect ratio.

Abstract: The present specification describes a control mechanism to control fluid flow through one or more fluid channels that supply fluid to the distal tip of an endoscope. A pump is provided with an endoscope to control the flow of fluid from an external source to a combination of fluid channels within the endoscope, which supply fluid to front and side jets of a multi-jet endoscope assembly. The pump is preferably dual-direction pump that enables control of fluid to either the front jet or to the front and side jets of the endoscope.

Abstract: There is provided herein an optical system for a tip section of a multi-sensor endoscope, the system comprising: a front-pointing camera sensor; a front objective lens system; a side-pointing camera sensor; and a side objective lens system, wherein at least one of said front and side objective lens systems comprises a front and a rear sub-systems separated by a stop diaphragm, said front sub-system comprises, in order from the object side, a first front negative lens and a second front positive lens, said rear sub-system comprises, in order from the object side, a first rear positive lens, an achromatic sub-assembly comprising a second rear positive lens and a third rear negative lens, wherein the following condition is satisfied: f(first rear positive lens)?1.8f, where f is the composite focal length of the total lens system and f(first rear positive lens) is the focal length of said first rear positive lens.

Abstract: The present specification is directed towards endoscopes, such as colonoscopes, that provide a broader field of view and allow extended access of surgical tools and also enable efficient packing of all necessary elements in the tip section, while maintaining their functionality. Also described are methods and systems for capturing and displaying still and video images using an endoscope corresponding to a left-side looking, a front-looking and a right-side looking viewing element of an endoscopic tip generated in a native aspect ratio.

Abstract: There is provided herein an endoscope assembly comprising at least one front-pointing viewing element on a front end of a distal section of the endoscope assembly, at least one side-looking viewing element on at least one side wall of the distal section of the endoscope assembly, a working channel configured for insertion of a medical tool towards the distal section, and a system for regulating the direction of exit of medical device wherein said system enables the medical device to exit at multiple angles to the long dimension of the endoscope device either from the front end or through side walls of the distal section of the device.

Abstract: There is provided herein a tip section of a multi-viewing element endoscope, the tip section comprising: two or more side-pointing viewing elements positioned at or in proximity to a distal end of said tip section, wherein each of said two or more side-pointing viewing elements having a discrete illuminator associated therewith, wherein the field of view provided by the two or more side-pointing viewing elements covers a front and side views; a working channel configured for insertion of a surgical tool; and a pathway fluid injector for inflating and/or cleaning a body cavity into which the endoscope is inserted.

Abstract: There is provided herein an endoscope assembly comprising at least one front-pointing viewing element on a front end of a distal section of the endoscope assembly, at least one side-looking viewing element on at least one side wall of the distal section of the endoscope assembly, a working channel configured for insertion of a medical tool towards the distal section, and a system for regulating the direction of exit of medical device wherein said system enables the medical device to exit at multiple angles to the long dimension of the endoscope device either from the front end or through side walls of the distal section of the device.

Abstract: The present specification describes a novel system for dynamically modifying the magnification power of optical devices used in high performance and critical applications such as medical procedures. The present specification describes an optical imaging system having a magnification control system connected to a sensor device for enabling movement of sensor device with respect to a lens assembly of the imaging system, wherein distance between the sensor device and the lens assembly is altered to enable different levels of magnification capability.

Abstract: A lens assembly of a viewing element for an endoscope has lenses and a barrel containing the lenses. The internal surface of the barrel is shaped in accordance with the relative position and size of the lenses and a lens holder encompassing at least a portion of the barrel. The barrel and/or the lens holder are injection-molded and can be variably positioned relative to each other. An optional adhesive layer that reduces or eliminates small particles from the viewing element is positioned on an inner surface of the barrel and/or lens holder and used to remove any internal particulate matter that may otherwise obstruct the field of view.