US 12,458,220 B2
Endoscope with a multiple diameter working section
Nikolai David Begg, Wellesley, MA (US)
Assigned to Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed by Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed on Aug. 24, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/409,901.
Application 17/409,901 is a continuation of application No. 14/883,754, filed on Oct. 15, 2015, granted, now 11,096,569.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/184,621, filed on Jun. 25, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/064,176, filed on Oct. 15, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2021/0378501 A1, Dec. 9, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 1/313 (2006.01); A61B 1/00 (2006.01); A61B 1/002 (2006.01); A61B 1/303 (2006.01); G02B 23/24 (2006.01); A61B 1/018 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 1/313 (2013.01) [A61B 1/00066 (2013.01); A61B 1/00071 (2013.01); A61B 1/00078 (2013.01); A61B 1/00096 (2013.01); A61B 1/002 (2013.01); A61B 1/303 (2013.01); G02B 23/2476 (2013.01); A61B 1/00094 (2013.01); A61B 1/00135 (2013.01); A61B 1/00195 (2013.01); A61B 1/018 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An endoscope comprising:
a handle having a first outer diameter; and
a working section extending distally from the handle, the working section including a wall having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a channel extending through the working section, the inner surface defining a constant diameter along an entire length of the working section such that the channel defines a constant diameter along the entire length of the working section, the working section including:
a first transition section extending distally from the handle and transitioning the first outer diameter to a second outer diameter, the second outer diameter being less than the first outer diameter;
an access section extending distally from the first transition section and having an outer diameter equal to the second outer diameter, the wall of the working section having a first thickness in the access section;
a second transition section extending distally from the access section and uniformly tapering the second outer diameter to a third outer diameter, the third outer diameter being less than the second outer diameter;
an operative section extending distally from the second transition section and having an outer diameter equal to the third outer diameter, the wall of the working section having a second thickness in the operative section less than the first thickness; and
an optical system disposed within the working section,
wherein the second outer diameter is greater than about 6 mm and the third outer diameter is less than about 6 mm to enable passage of the operative section through a cervical os of a patient while inhibiting passage of the access section through the cervical os of the patient.