Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.

Scimed Life Systems, Inc.

Alco Electronic Products, Inc.

Augat Inc.

Boston Scientific Corporation

Dennis R Boulais

Michael S Banik

Lucien Alfred Couvillon, Jr

Praveen Kulkarni

Ian W Hunter

Francis T Macnamara

Andrew Kirouac

Albert C C Chin

Stephen D Fantone

Vincent A Turturro

Wendy Naimark

Luis J Maseda

Christopher A Rowland

John P O'Connor

Michael Stephen Austin

Samuel J Epstein

David W Hoffman

Daniel Orband

Philip T Stokoe

Ron Sahatijian

Russell Francis Durgin

Toby Freyman

William Lucas Churchill

Louis J Barbato

Marlene C Schwarz

Sheng-Ping Zhong

F Anthony Headley, Jr

Timothy J Mason

Sergey S Grigoryants

Sheng-ping Zhong

Richard M Wiesman

Anh Nguyen

Kenneth M Blair

Neil Rasik Mehta

Don Robinson

Jan Weber

Mark L Adams

Maria Palasis

Peter L Dayton

William Joseph Shaw

Michael P Boutillette

Eric Karl Litscher

Laurence D Brenner

Eric B Stenzel

Donald C Hovey

Daniel J Braunstein

Lucien A Couvillon, Jr

Richard J Clark

Sheng-Ping (Samuel) Zhong

Patsy A Coppola, Iii

Michael P Saber

Kshitij Mohan

Frank J Anderson

Glenn N Cleaver

Francis T MacNamara

John Sbardelli

Ian Castro

Richard M Wiseman

Andrew P Kirouac

Jr Lucien A Couvillon

Neil R Mehta

Anna E R Greaves

Daniel G Orband

Michael Saber

Michael R Zocchi

Edward M Harris

In one aspect, the present invention is an articulation joint for use in a low cost medical device such as an endoscope intended for a single use. In one embodiment, the articulation joint comprises a plurality of interconnected segments. In another embodiment, the articulation joint comprises an elongated tubular body. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of manufacturing an articulation joint for use in a medical device.

Method for forming an endoscope articulation joint

An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.

Endoscopic imaging system

Embodiments of the invention include an endoscope including a distal chamber and related methods of use, for example, with an endoscopic instrument.

Medical devices including distal chamber

Medical device comprising segments

Endoscopes including distal chamber and related methods of use

Articulation joint

An endoscope or other medical device includes a number of lumens positioned in an outer shaft. The lumens are formed as a multiple lumen assembly. In one embodiment, individual lumens are connected to each other with a sheet or webbing material. The lumen assembly is rolled or folded along its length for incorporation into the outer shaft of the endoscope or the medical device. The sheet or webbing material may be notched or perforated to facilitate folding the lumen assembly and/or separating the individual lumens from the lumen assembly.

Multiple lumen assembly for use in endoscopes or other medical devices

An endoscopic imaging system for examining a patient's body cavity includes an endoscope having a distal end, a proximal end and a number of lumens therein. One or more distal gas ports are disposed at or adjacent the distal end of the endoscope and one or more proximal gas ports are disposed proximal to the distal gas ports. Insufflation gas is delivered to the distal gas ports and withdrawn from the proximal gas ports or vice versa such that a gas bubble is formed in the body cavity and travels with the distal tip of the endoscope.

Endoscope having auto-insufflation and exsufflation

An imaging assembly for use in a medical imaging device such as an endoscope or the like. In one embodiment, the imaging assembly includes a transparent distal cap that is shaped to receive an image sensor insert. The image sensor insert has a cooling channel that supplies a cooling liquid or gas to one or more illumination sources.

Imaging assembly with transparent distal cap

A system includes a steerable device, such as a sheath or shaft, having proximal and distal ends. The steerable device includes an elongated body having a proximal section, a steering section, and a distal tip. Control wires are routed through the body and connected at or near the distal end of the steerable device. The system further includes a control unit to which the proximal end of the steerable device is functionally connected. In one embodiment, the control unit includes an actuator connected to one control wire and a biasing force generating device connected to a second control wire. The steering section is controllably manipulated by the control unit to facilitate steering of the distal tip of the steerable device as the steerable device is advanced through tortuous passageways of a patient's body.

Steerable device and system

The medical device of the invention comprises a surface comprising at least one outermost portion and a plurality of depressions. The depressions occupy at least about 80% of the surface area of the surface. The depressions contain a coating material that preferably comprises a biologically active material and/or polymer, and the outermost portion is substantially free of any coating material. The invention is also directed to a method for manufacturing a medical device. The method comprises applying a coating material to the surface of the medical device by using at least one roller.

Coated medical device and method for manufacturing the same

Growing community of inventors

Danielson, CT, United States of America

Dennis R Boulais