Endoscope with pannable camera and related method

摘要

An endoscope and related method comprise a proximal handle and a distal shaft having an insertion end. A housing comprising a camera assembly may be mounted on an insertion end of the shaft and include at least one lens and an image sensor. The camera assembly housing is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the long axis of the shaft, giving the camera assembly a variable field of view. The rotatable camera assembly housing may be mounted to the insertion end of the shaft so that the rotatable housing of the camera assembly comprises the distal-most element of the endoscope shaft or insertion end. The endoscope may include a circuit board having a first portion disposed within the proximal handle and one or more extension portions that extend within the shaft to the camera assembly and/or to a light source near the distal end of the shaft. At least one light emitter may be mounted on the insertion end of the shaft and configured to project light in a direction either toward or away from the field of view of the camera assembly. The light emitter may also be mounted on the camera assembly housing to direct light toward the field of view of the camera assembly. Power and communication lines can be co-located within a lumen of the shaft of the endoscope used for fluid irrigation or suction.