Patent ID: 6398725
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An image-sensing apparatus, comprising:a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and an optically-clear section; an image sensor, having an imaging axis, disposed within the sheath adjacent the distal end of the sheath and the optically-clear section of the sheath such that the imaging axis can intersect the optically-clear section of the sheath; and a support member, having a proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends of the support member, supporting the image sensor within the sheath, the image sensor being pivotally coupled to the support member adjacent the distal end of the support member such that the image sensor can pivot about a pivot axis and such that the imaging axis can be oriented at commonly-measured angles that are both greater than and less than ninety degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis, the support member being at least partially disposed within the sheath and being rotatable relative to at least the optically-clear section of the sheath, at least a portion of the optically-clear section of the sheath being disposed both proximally and distally of the pivot axis such that the imaging axis intercepts the optically-clear section of the sheath when the imaging axis is oriented at the commonly-measured angles that are both greater than and less than ninety degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis.