Abstract: Various embodiments provide a steering control mechanism, an imaging endoscopy system incorporating a steering control mechanism, and a method of assembling a steering control mechanism. The steering control mechanism is configured for controlling bending of a steering section of an endoscope in a first plane via first and second steering wires. It comprises a first rotational drive wheel comprising first and second drive wheel body portions, the first drive wheel body portion comprising a first drum element coupled to the first steering wire, and the second drive wheel body portion comprising a second drum element coupled to the second steering wire. The rotational drive wheel is configured to provide one-way relative rotation of the first drum element and the second drum element.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an imaging endoscopy system comprising a hand controller, an insertion section having a proximal end connected to the hand controller and a distal end for insertion into a subject, the distal end having a steering section and a distal tip, and a steering control mechanism comprising a first continuous steering wire. The first continuous steering wire has first and second ends coupled to a user control assembly at the hand controller, and an intermediate portion fixed at the distal tip of the insertion section, thereby defining two steering wire portions extending from the hand controller to the distal tip, said steering wire portions capable of being tensioned to cause bending of the steering section in response to operation of the user control assembly of the hand controller.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an imaging endoscope system and method for assembling an imaging endoscope system from a kit. The imaging endoscope system comprises a base unit, a hand controller, an umbilical section for releasably connecting the base unit and the hand controller, and an insertion section having a proximal end connected to the hand controller and a distal end for insertion into a subject. The base unit is configured for provision of electrical power and one or more fluids to the insertion section via the umbilical section and the hand controller. The umbilical section comprises an umbilical section connector configured to be releasably engageable with a corresponding base unit connector via a single connection action to make at least one mechanical connection, at least one electrical connection, and at least one fluid connection between the umbilical section connector and the base unit connector during said single connection action.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a bendable member for an imaging endoscope and an imaging endoscope incorporating said bendable member. The bendable member comprises a series of constructional elements arranged longitudinally in series along the bendable member and formed integrally with a plurality of living hinge elements that permit bending between adjacent constructional elements, wherein, when the bendable member is straight, a first living hinge element of the plurality of living hinge elements has a different bending stiffness to a second living hinge element of the plurality of living hinge elements.

Abstract: An imaging endoscopy system is disclosed, having a base unit, a hand controller, an umbilical section releasably connecting the base unit and the hand controller and an insertion section. The insertion section has a proximal end connected to the hand controller and a distal end for insertion into a subject, the distal end having a steering section and a distal tip. The hand controller includes at least one steering control for controlling bending of the steering section, and wherein the distal tip includes a light source for illumination of a region of tissue of interest and an imaging chip for imaging the region of tissue of interest. The hand controller, umbilical section and insertion section are single use disposable. The base unit is configured to be re-usable.

Abstract: An imaging endoscopy system is disclosed, having a base unit, a hand controller, an umbilical section releasably connecting the base unit and the hand controller and an insertion section. The insertion section has a proximal end connected to the hand controller and a distal end for insertion into a subject, the distal end having a steering section and a distal tip. The hand controller includes at least one steering control for controlling bending of the steering section, and wherein the distal tip includes a light source for illumination of a region of tissue of interest and an imaging chip for imaging the region of tissue of interest. The hand controller, umbilical section and insertion section are single use disposable. The base unit is configured to be re-usable.