CPC A61B 1/00135 (2013.01) [A61B 1/0008 (2013.01); A61B 1/0011 (2013.01); A61B 1/00165 (2013.01); A61B 1/00174 (2013.01); A61B 1/00179 (2013.01); A61B 1/00195 (2013.01); A61B 1/012 (2013.01); A61B 1/015 (2013.01); A61B 1/018 (2013.01); A61B 1/07 (2013.01); A61B 1/12 (2013.01); A61B 1/126 (2013.01); A61B 1/317 (2013.01); G02B 23/2423 (2013.01); G02B 23/26 (2013.01); G02B 23/2469 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. An endoscope comprising:
an elongated shaft defining a central axis and a distal tip, the distal tip of the elongated shaft including a first portion defining an area lying within a first plane that forms a non-perpendicular angle relative to the central axis of the elongated shaft, a second portion defining a second plane that is perpendicular to the central axis of the elongated shaft, and first and second transition areas interconnecting the first and second portions of the distal tip of the elongated shaft on opposed first and second sides of the distal tip of the elongated shaft, respectively;
a first channel extending through the elongated shaft, the first channel defining a distal tip including an angled portion terminating coplanarly with the first portion of the distal tip of the elongated shaft and fully occupying the area, a straight portion terminating coplanarly with the second portion of the distal tip of the elongated shaft and extending transversely across the second portion of the distal tip of the elongated shaft between the first and second sides of the distal tip of the elongated shaft, and first and second transition areas interconnecting the angled and straight portions of the distal tip of the first channel; and
a visualization conduit extending through the elongated shaft outside of the first channel, the visualization conduit optically exposed coplanarly with the second portion of the distal tip of the elongated shaft such that a viewing angle through the visualization conduit is parallel to the central axis.
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