Patent ID: 7553277
Filing Date: 2009-06-30
Classification: A61B,G02B,H04N

Abstract:
1. An endoscope comprising an elongated shaft having a substantially rigid distal end and a longitudinal axis, said distal end being formed by a distal head having a substantially ball-shaped housing, said shaft further having a first shaft portion arranged proximally from and connected to said ball-shaped housing and a second shaft portion arranged proximally from and connected to said first shaft portion, an optical imaging system at least partially arranged in said ball-shaped housing and being fixed thereto for receiving light from an observation area, wherein said ball-shaped housing is pivotable with respect to said first shaft portion about a first pivot axis running about transversely to said longitudinal axis of said shaft and substantially through a center of said ball-shaped housing, wherein said first shaft portion is pivotable with respect to said shaft about at least a second pivot axis spaced from said first pivot axis and running about transversely to said longitudinal axis of said shaft, such that an overall pivot range of said optical imaging system about said first and said at least second pivot axis is at least 150° from said longitudinal axis of said shaft.