US 12,262,873 B2
Direct endoluminal- and/or endovascular-illumination systems and methods of use thereof
Giacomo Basadonna, Haddam, CT (US); and Alan Lucas, Brookline, MA (US)
Assigned to Enlightenvue, Inc., Denver, CO (US)
Filed by Enlightenvue, Inc., Denver, CO (US)
Filed on Nov. 22, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/518,028.
Application 16/908,457 is a division of application No. 16/276,295, filed on Feb. 14, 2019, granted, now 10,687,698, issued on Jun. 23, 2020.
Application 18/518,028 is a continuation of application No. 17/305,330, filed on Jul. 5, 2021, granted, now 11,832,798.
Application 17/305,330 is a continuation of application No. 16/908,457, filed on Jun. 22, 2020, granted, now 11,051,685, issued on Jul. 6, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/730,450, filed on Sep. 12, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2024/0315541 A1, Sep. 26, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 1/015 (2006.01); A61B 1/00 (2006.01); A61B 1/018 (2006.01); A61B 1/05 (2006.01); A61B 1/06 (2006.01); A61B 1/313 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 1/05 (2013.01) [A61B 1/00082 (2013.01); A61B 1/015 (2013.01); A61B 1/018 (2013.01); A61B 1/0676 (2013.01); A61B 1/00103 (2013.01); A61B 1/00135 (2013.01); A61B 1/3137 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An endoscope comprising:
a hub;
a shaft extending from the hub and comprising a distal tip, the distal tip having an expandable portion configured to expand to allow a tool to pass through the shaft;
an image sensor within the distal tip, the image sensor having a field of view external from the endoscope;
an illuminating element within the distal tip, the illuminating element configured to emit light within the field of view of the image sensor; and
an expandable cuff disposed on at least a portion of the shaft, the expandable cuff being expandable laterally from the shaft between a contracted configuration and a deployed configuration, the expandable cuff comprising a pliable portion, the pliable portion configured to stretch longitudinally along the shaft to accommodate the expansion of the expandable portion of the shaft.