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 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.