Abstract: An endoscope with an articulated bending section body (1) including a number of segments including a proximal segment (2), a distal segment (3) and a number of intermediate segments (4, 4?, 4i) arranged between the proximal segment (2) and the distal segment (3). Each intermediate segment (4, 4?, 4i) comprises at least one through passage for a pull-wire (7). The intermediate segments include (4, 4?, 4i) at least one interface segment (4i) adapted to receive and retain the distal end of a tube (8) surrounding the at least one pull-wire (7).

Abstract: A method for providing an insertion cord of an endoscope with graduated flexibility along the length of the insertion cord. The method includes: providing a main tube having a proximal and a distal end, and subjecting the main tube to a conditioning process including application of heat and a temporary mechanical deformation along at least a part of the length of the main tube between said proximal end and said distal end. The magnitude of the temporary mechanical deformation is varied along said part of the length of the main tube.

Abstract: An endoscope including at least one operating element, a steerable deflecting element located at the distal end, an endoscope tip, and a steering wire having a first portion, a second portion and an intermediate portion, wherein the intermediate portion is attached to the deflecting element or to the endoscope tip, operation of the at least one operating element to apply a drag force to the first portion moving the endoscope tip in a first direction, and operation of the at least one operating element or another operating element to apply a drag force to the second portion moves the endoscope tip in a second direction different from the first direction, and/or wherein the intermediate portion of the steering tie element is at least in part received in a clearance provided at/in a distal end portion of the deflecting element and/or at/in the endoscope tip.

Abstract: A medical device operable to obtain images of an internal cavity of a patient, including a handle; a flexible tube including a first section having a first radial cross-section area and a second section distal of the first section and having a second radial cross-section area smaller than the first radial cross-section area, the second section having an outer surface; a bending section extending from the flexible tube and including a proximal end segment, a distal end segment, and intermediate segments between the proximal end segment and the distal end segment, the intermediate segments hingedly connected to each other, the proximal end segment including a proximal end segment peripheral wall defining an internal space, wherein the second section is positioned at least partly in the internal space; and a camera assembly supported by the bending section and operable to generate images of distal views.

Abstract: A tip part for an endoscope has a vision receptor having a vision sensor for providing an image from received light, a first lens, and a casing, the casing supporting the first lens so that the casing substantially maintains a position of the first lens in relation to the vision sensor; a first light source; an exterior housing; and a light shield positioned between the vision receptor and the first light source so as to prevent ingress of stray light from the first light source into the vision receptor by optically shielding the vision receptor; wherein the casing is formed integrally with the exterior housing so that the casing also substantially maintains the first lens in a position in relation to the exterior housing.

Abstract: An endoscope including a handle or interface including a suction valve and a housing made from a first half-shell and a second half-shell. The suction valve is mounted between the first half-shell and the second half-shell. The first half-shell includes first and second fixing portions to receive first and second fixing portions of the suction valve. The second half-shell comprises third and fourth fixing portions configured to receive the second portion of the suction valve. The second and fourth fixing portions have a different geometry, the second fixing portion is configured to suppress at least one degree of freedom of the suction valve, and the fourth inner fixing portion is configured to suppress a remaining degree or remaining degrees of freedom of the suction valve, for fixing the suction valve in its position and orientation in the housing.

Abstract: An endoscope including a handle, an insertion cord, a working channel, and a suction valve in the handle including a valve body and a stem. The valve body has a valve cylinder, an inlet connected to the working channel, and an outlet configured to be connected to a suction device. The stem is movable axially in the valve cylinder between a first position, in which the suction valve is in a valve closed state, and a second position, in which the suction valve is in a valve open state. The inlet and the outlet are connected to and extend away from the valve cylinder. The stem includes a curved flow guide. The inlet, the outlet and the curved flow guide are configured to each other to provide a curved sideways flow path through the suction valve in the valve open state.

Abstract: An endoscope including a handle assembled by application of fasteners being integral with a housing shell, the assembled housing shells forming a compartment. The handle includes at least one component selected from the group including: a roller for bending a bending section, a wire pipe fastener connecting wire pipes to a handle shell, and an encasement for a printed circuit board. The handle includes interfaces configured to secure the at least one component to a housing shell inside the compartment, the interfaces being integral with a housing shell. The housing shells are made from polypropylene.

Abstract: A tip part for an insertable vision device, and an insertable vision device including the tip part. The tip part includes a housing accommodating an electronic vision receptor and adapted to extend from a distal end of an insertable elongate portion of the insertable vision device, and a light guide positioned within the housing, the light guide having a predetermined length in a longitudinal direction between a light reception end and a light emission end, the light reception end configured to receive light emanated from a light source and the light emission end configured to emit the light. The light guide includes, along at least a portion of the predetermined length, an expanding sector or a narrowing sector.

Abstract: A video endoscope including an operating handle; an insertion tube extending distally from the operating handle; a camera at the distal end of the insertion tube; a working channel extending from the housing to the distal end of the insertion tube; and control cables; the operating handle including: a housing; a control lever comprising a wall and trunnions extending laterally from the wall; a first wall comprising a first support aperture; a second wall comprising a second support aperture, the first support aperture and the second support aperture receiving the trunnions to facilitate rotation of the control lever; a sealed compartment; and lateral grooves configured to receive guiding cables.

Abstract: An endoscope including steering wires for bending a bending section, a steering wire actuator, a wire pipe fastener including a first and a second channel, a first and a second wire pipe fixated in the first and the second channel and crossing proximally of the wire pipe fastener at a point intermediate the wire pipe fastener and the steering wire actuator.

Abstract: An endoscope (1) including: an insertion cord (3) including a bending section (20); a handle (2) comprising a steering wire actuator (60); and a first steering wire (27) and a second steering wire (28) both connected to the steering wire actuator (60) and running through the insertion cord (3) so that manipulation of the steering wire actuator (60) causes bending of the bending section (20); the steering wire actuator (60) including: a first fixing structure (62) including a first hook (30) for fixation of a first steering wire (27) closed loop, a second fixing structure including a second hook (31) for fixation of a second steering wire (28) closed loop.

Abstract: A tip part for an insertable vision device, and an insertable vision device including the tip part. The tip part includes a housing accommodating an electronic vision receptor and adapted to extend from a distal end of an insertable elongate portion of the insertable vision device, and a light guide positioned within the housing, the light guide having a predetermined length in a longitudinal direction between a light reception end and a light emission end, the light reception end configured to receive light emanated from a light source and the light emission end configured to emit the light. The light guide includes, along at least a portion of the predetermined length, an expanding sector or a narrowing sector.

Abstract: An endoscope tip part for an endoscope for visually inspecting inaccessible places, including a tip housing enclosing a sealed interior space and including a transparent portion; an image sensor viewing in an optical direction through the transparent portion of the tip housing; a light guide component having a light entry surface and a light exit surface; a first light source having a light-emitting surface and being configured to emit light from the light-emitting surface in a central illumination direction; and an electrical circuit in electrical communication with the image sensor and the first light source, wherein the first light source, the image sensor, and the electrical circuit are accommodated in the sealed interior space of the tip housing, wherein the first light source is attached to the light guide component.

Abstract: A medical device operable to obtain images of an internal cavity of a patient, including a handle; a flexible tube; a front end cap housing a camera assembly; a bending section extending from the flexible tube and including a proximal end segment and a distal end segment; a peripheral wall having an inner surface defining an internal space and including a cavity extending radially outwardly from the inner surface; a member having an outer surface and positioned at least partly in the internal space with the cavity overlapping the outer surface; and a protrusion of a hardened adhesive bonded to the outer surface of the member and extending into the cavity of the peripheral wall, wherein the member is one of, and the peripheral wall is comprised by another of, the flexible tube, the proximal end segment, the distal end segment, or the front end cap.

Abstract: A method for providing an insertion cord of an endoscope with graduated flexibility along a length of the insertion cord, the method including providing a main tube having a longitudinal axis, the main tube comprising a coiled core and a polymer layer; raising a temperature of the polymer layer in a portion of the main tube from a first temperature to above a second temperature that is less than a melting point of the polymer layer; bending the portion of the main tube to impose a first meander bend while the temperature is above the second temperature, wherein said bending comprises bending the portion of the main tube at at least two angles relative to a line parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A endoscope including a handle, a shaft and a distal tip unit. The shaft includes a bending section, a working channel and a steering wire for controlling a bending movement of the bending section. The bending section includes segments, flexible hinge members provided between adjacent segments, an inner lumen adapted for accommodating the working channel, and steering wire lumens adapted for accommodating the steering wire. The working channel is gradually/continuously/linearly guided away from a position close to a centerline of the endoscope shaft in the bending section.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a distal tip unit, a handle, a shaft including a bending section made of a first material, and a steering wire for controlling a bending movement of the bending section. The bending section has segments, an inner lumen accommodating a working channel, and steering wire lumens adapted for accommodating the steering wire. The endoscope further includes a disc made of a second material which is different from the first material. The disc is arranged at a distal end of the bending section adjacent a lumen end of the steering wire lumens and has a plurality of openings including steering wire lumen openings configured for guiding the steering wire coming from the steering wire lumens therethrough, and locking openings configured for threading or twisting the steering wire therethrough. The steering wire is locked to the disc by the threading or twisting of the steering wire through the openings.

Abstract: A tip part for an endoscope has a vision receptor having a vision sensor for providing an image from received light, a first lens, and a casing, the casing supporting the first lens so that the casing substantially maintains a position of the first lens in relation to the vision sensor; a first light source; an exterior housing; and a light shield positioned between the vision receptor and the first light source so as to prevent ingress of stray light from the first light source into the vision receptor by optically shielding the vision receptor; wherein the casing is formed integrally with the exterior housing so that the casing also substantially maintains the first lens in a position in relation to the exterior housing.

Abstract: A tip part for an insertable vision device, and an insertable vision device including the tip part. The tip part includes a housing accommodating an electronic vision receptor and adapted to extend from a distal end of an insertable elongate portion of the insertable vision device, and a light guide positioned within the housing, the light guide having a predetermined length in a longitudinal direction between a light reception end and a light emission end, the light reception end configured to receive light emanated from a light source and the light emission end configured to emit the light. The light guide includes, along at least a portion of the predetermined length, an expanding sector or a narrowing sector.