Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an endoscope for use in a surgical procedure, e.g., a pediatric trans-nasal endoscopy procedure. The endoscope may include a handle for gripping by a user, and a shaft extending from the handle. The shaft may have a working channel extending longitudinally therethrough and a distal region configured to be inserted into a patient. The endoscope may also include a steering wire extending longitudinally through the shaft from the distal region of the shaft to the steering control mechanism of the handle. The steering control mechanism may have an actuation mechanism attached to the steering wire. The endoscope may include a steering tension braking feature that enables selective engagement and disengagement by the user to brake the steering tension force on the steering wire. The endoscope may also have a steering wire slack reduction member configured to reduce unintended slack from forming along the steering wires during use.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an endoscope for use in a surgical procedure, e.g., a pediatric trans-nasal endoscopy procedure. The endoscope may include a handle for gripping by a user, and a shaft extending from the handle. The shaft may have a working channel extending longitudinally therethrough. The shaft may include an outer jacket defining an outer surface of the shaft, and an inner channel defining a working channel extending longitudinally through the shaft. The shaft defines an open space between the outer jacket and the inner channel, with an electrical wire for an illumination and/or a camera device extending longitudinally within the open space. The open space may improve the flexibility of the shaft along its entire length thereby improving patient comfort, and may also enable the steering wires to be positioned for improved up/down and left/right movement relative to the steering inputs provided by the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an endoscope for use in a surgical procedure, e.g., a pediatric trans-nasal endoscopy procedure. The endoscope may include a handle for gripping by a user, and a shaft extending from the handle. The shaft may have a working channel extending longitudinally therethrough and a distal region configured to be inserted into a patient. The exterior of the shaft may be protected by a laminate layer that is more flexible at the distal regions of the shaft than at more proximal regions, so as to improve steering. The shaft wall may be comprised of braided filaments so as to minimize the outer diameter of the shaft while maintaining a maximum working channel diameter. The handle may include symmetrical steering mechanisms to enable ambidextrous steering capabilities.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an endoscope for use in a surgical procedure, e.g., a pediatric trans-nasal endoscopy procedure. The endoscope may include a handle for gripping by a user, and a shaft extending from the handle. The shaft may have a working channel extending longitudinally therethrough and a distal region configured to be inserted into a patient. The distal region of the shaft may include a printed circuit board with a perpendicular portion having an illumination source mounted thereon so as to face distally. The printed circuit board may also have an imaging device mounted thereon, and the imaging device and the illumination source may be located at the same longitudinal position of the endoscope shaft, e.g., flush-mounted. The endoscope may also include, on the handle, an electronic control module having first and second buttons that are mapped to a menu of functions, e.g., white balancing and/or image capture functions, in an external video control unit.