Patent Abstract:
There is provided herein a tip section of a multi-camera endoscope, the tip section comprising: a front looking camera and a front discrete illuminator to essentially illuminate the Field Of View (FOV) of said front looking camera; a right side looking camera and a right discrete illuminator to essentially illuminate the FOV of said right side looking camera; a left side looking camera and a left discrete illuminator to essentially illuminate the FOV of said left side looking camera; and a multi component cover configured to cover and seal said tip section such as to essentially prevent entry of fluids from the environment of said endoscope to inner parts of said tip section.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/791,314, entitled “Multi-Element Cover for a Multi-Camera Endoscope” and filed on Jul. 3, 2015, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/984,028, of the same title, filed on Aug. 22, 2013, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,101,266 on Aug. 11, 2015, which is a national stage entry application of PCT Application Number PCT/IL2012/050037, of the same title and filed on Feb. 6, 2012, which relies on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/439,948, filed on Feb. 7, 2011, for priority. All of the aforementioned applications are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a multi element cover to a tip section of a multi-camera endoscope. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Endoscopes have attained great acceptance within the medical community, since they provide a means for performing procedures with minimal patient trauma, while enabling the physician to view the internal anatomy of the patient. Over the years, numerous endoscopes have been developed and categorized according to specific applications, such as cystoscopy, colonoscopy, laparoscopy, upper GI endoscopy and others. Endoscopes may be inserted into the body&#39;s natural orifices or through an incision in the skin. 
         [0004]    An endoscope is usually an elongated tubular shaft, rigid or flexible, having a video camera or a fiber optic lens assembly at its distal end. The shaft is connected to a handle, which sometimes includes an ocular for direct viewing. Viewing is also usually possible via an external screen. Various surgical tools may be inserted through a working channel in the endoscope for performing different surgical procedures. 
         [0005]    Endoscopes, such as colonoscopes, that are currently being used, typically have a front camera for viewing the internal organ, such as the colon, an illuminator, a fluid injector for cleaning the camera lens and sometimes also the illuminator and a working channel for insertion of surgical tools, for example, for removing polyps found in the colon. Often, endoscopes also have fluid injectors (“jet”) for cleaning a body cavity, such as the colon, into which they are inserted. The illuminators commonly used are fiber optics which transmit light, generated remotely, to the endoscope tip section. The use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for illumination is also known. 
         [0006]    Among the disadvantages of such endoscopes, are their limited field of view and their complicated packing of all the required elements, such as electronics and fiber optics together with fluid carrying elements in the small sized endoscope tip section. Other problem of the existing endoscopes is the difficult assembling of the gentle electronic components, which are often damaged by the assembling process itself. Another problem of the existing endoscopes is the complicated sealing of the parts, specifically in the tip section of the endoscope. Sealing of the tip section remains a challenge particularly due to the complex environment in which the endoscope is intended to operate. 
         [0007]    There is thus a need in the art for endoscopes, such as colonoscopes, that allow a broader field of view and also enable the efficient packing, assembling and sealing of all necessary elements in the tip section, while maintaining their function. 
         [0008]    The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the figures. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. 
         [0010]    According to some embodiments, there is provided a tip section of a multi-camera endoscope, the tip section comprising: a front-pointing camera and a discrete front illuminator associated therewith; one or more side-pointing cameras and one or more discrete side illuminators associated therewith; and a multi component cover configured to cover the inner parts of the tip section. 
         [0011]    According to some embodiments, there is provided a tip section of a multi-camera endoscope, the tip section comprising: a front looking camera and a front discrete illuminator to essentially illuminate the Field Of View (FOV) of the front looking camera; a right side looking camera and a right discrete illuminator to essentially illuminate the FOV of the right side looking camera; a left side looking camera and a left discrete illuminator to essentially illuminate the FOV of the left side looking camera; and a multi component cover configured to cover and seal the tip section such as to essentially prevent entry of fluids from the environment of the endoscope to inner parts of the tip section. 
         [0012]    According to some embodiments, the multi component cover comprises: a front-side component configured to cover a front part and a side part of the tip section; and a side component configured to cover another side part of the tip section, wherein the front-side component and the side component are configured to abut to cover the tip section. The front-side component may be configured to cover the front part and a right side part of the tip section and wherein the side component is configured to cover a left side part of the tip section. The front-side component may be configured to cover the front part and a left side part of the tip section and wherein the side component is configured to cover a right side part of the tip section. 
         [0013]    According to some embodiments, the multi component cover comprises: a front component configured to cover a front part; a right side component configured to cover a right side part of the tip section; and a left side component configured to cover a left side part of the tip section; wherein the front, right side and left side components are configured to abut to cover the tip section. 
         [0014]    According to some embodiments, the multi component cover comprises: a main component configured to cover the majority of the tip section; and a removable window component configured to cover a window opening located on the main component, wherein the removable window component is configured to allow access to an inner part of the tip section without removing the main component. 
         [0015]    According to some embodiments, the multi component cover comprises: a distal component configured to cover a distal part of the tip section; and a proximal component configured to cover a proximal part of the tip section, wherein the distal component and the proximal component are configured to abut to cover the tip section. According to some embodiments, the distal component may have a shape of a cylinder having a side wall and a front face, the front face is configured to cover a front part of the tip section and the proximal component has a shape of a cylinder having a side wall. According to some embodiments, the distal component may be configured for assembling over an inner part of the tip section from a distal part of the tip section and wherein the proximal component is configured for assembling over the inner part of the tip section from a proximal part of the tip section, such that the distal component and the proximal component are configured to join each other along a connection line, (which may be essentially perpendicular to the length of the tip section, for example, along an imaginary line extended between the two side cameras), such that the assembling does not cause damage to the a right/left side looking cameras or optical assemblies thereof. 
         [0016]    The multi component cover further comprises optical windows for one or more of: the front discrete illuminator, the right discrete illuminator, and the left discrete illuminator. 
         [0017]    The multi component cover may further comprise openings for one or more of: the front looking camera and/or an optical assembly thereof, the right side looking camera and/or an optical assembly thereof, and the left side looking camera and/or an optical assembly thereof. 
         [0018]    The multi component cover may further comprise a fluid channeling component adapted to channel fluid for insufflations and/or irrigation. The fluid channeling component may be a unitary component comprising a front fluid channel leading to a front opening at a distal end of the unitary fluid channeling component, for cleaning one or more front optical elements of the tip section, and a side fluid channel leading to a left side opening and to a right side opening in the unitary fluid channeling component, for cleaning side optical elements of the tip section. The unitary fluid channeling component further comprises a working channel adapted for the insertion of a medical tool. The unitary fluid channeling component further comprises a jet fluid channel adapted to clean a body cavity into which the endoscope is inserted. 
         [0019]    According to some embodiments, the multi component cover may further include openings for one or more of: a front I/I injector and/or a nozzle thereof, a side I/I injector and/or a nozzle thereof, a jet fluid channel, and a working channel. 
         [0020]    According to some embodiments, the front looking camera, the front discrete illuminator, the right side looking camera, the right discrete illuminator, the left side looking camera, and the left discrete illuminator are configured to be installed on a single electronic circuit board. 
         [0021]    According to some embodiments, the tip section has a diameter of about 17 mm or less. According to some embodiments, the tip section has a diameter of about 12 mm or less. According to some embodiments, the tip section has a diameter of about 10 mm or less. According to some embodiments, the tip section has a diameter of about 7 mm or less. 
         [0022]    According to some embodiments, there is provided a method for assembling a multi component cover on a tip section of a multi-camera endoscope, the method comprising: installing one or more optical windows on a first part of a multi component cover; installing the first part of an inner part of a tip section; installing one or more optical windows on a second part of the multi component cover; and installing the second part of the inner part of the tip section. 
         [0023]    According to some embodiments, the first part of the multi component cover comprises: a front-side component configured to cover a front part and a side part of the tip section; and the second part of the multi component cover comprises: a side component configured to cover another side part of the tip section, wherein the front-side component and the side component are configured to abut to cover the tip section. The front-side component may be configured to cover the front part and a right side part of the tip section and wherein the side component is configured to cover a left side part of the tip section. The front-side component may be configured to cover the front part and a left side part of the tip section and wherein the side component is configured to cover a right side part of the tip section. 
         [0024]    According to some embodiments, the first part of the multi component cover comprises a front component configured to cover a front part; wherein the second part of the multi component cover comprises a right side component configured to cover a right side part of the tip section; wherein the a third part of the multi component cover comprises a left side component configured to cover a left side part of the tip section; and wherein the front, right side and left side components are configured to abut to cover the tip section. 
         [0025]    According to some embodiments, the first part of the multi component cover comprises a main component configured to cover the majority of the tip section; and wherein the second part of the multi component cover comprises a removable window component configured to cover a window opening located on the main component, wherein the removable window component is configured to allow access to an inner part of the tip section without removing the main component. 
         [0026]    According to some embodiments, the first part of the multi component cover comprises a distal component configured to cover a distal part of the tip section; and wherein the second part of the multi component cover comprises a proximal component configured to cover a proximal part of the tip section, wherein the distal component and the proximal component are configured to abut to cover the tip section. The distal component may have a shape of a cylinder having a side wall and a front face, the front face is configured to cover a front part of the tip section and the proximal component has a shape of a cylinder having a side wall. 
         [0027]    According to some embodiments, any one of the parts (components) of the multi component cover may include a cannel/cavity, for example, along one or more edges of the part (component), on an external and/or internal part of the part (component). The cannel/cavity may be configured to contain one or more adhesives, such as glue, for connecting the parts (components) to each other and thus allowing better sealing of the tip cover. 
         [0028]    According to some embodiments, there is provided herein an endoscope comprising the tip section as described herein. According to some embodiments, there is provided herein a colonoscope comprising the tip section as described herein. 
         [0029]    According to some embodiments, there is provided herein a multi-camera endoscope, such as a colonoscope, comprising the tip section disclosed herein. According to some embodiments, the tip section of an endoscope (such a colonoscope) is the most distal part of the endoscope which terminates the endoscope. The tip section is turnable by way of a bending section connected thereto. 
         [0030]    More details and features of the current invention and its embodiments may be found in the description and the attached drawings. 
         [0031]    Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0032]    Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are generally chosen for convenience and clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. The figures are listed below: 
           [0033]      FIG. 1 a    schematically depicts an isometric view of a tip section of an endoscope (including an electronic circuit board carrying cameras and illumination sources, and fluid channeling component), having a multi component tip cover (shown in an exploded view), according to an exemplary embodiment of the current invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 1 b    schematically depicts an isometric view of the tip section of  FIG. 1 a   , having an assembled multi component tip cover, according to some exemplary embodiments of the current invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 2  schematically depicts an isometric view of a tip section of an endoscope (including an electronic circuit board carrying cameras and illumination sources, and a fluid channeling component), having a multi component tip cover (shown in an exploded view), according to an exemplary embodiment of the current invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 3  schematically depicts an exploded view of a multi component tip cover, according to an exemplary embodiment of the current invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 4 a    schematically depicts an isometric view of a tip section of an endoscope (including an electronic circuit board carrying cameras and illumination sources, and a fluid channeling component), having a multi component tip cover (shown in an exploded view), according to an exemplary embodiment of the current invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 4 b    schematically depicts an isometric view of the tip section of  FIG. 4 a   , having a multi component tip cover (partially in an exploded view), according to an exemplary embodiment of the current invention; and 
           [0039]      FIG. 4 c    schematically depicts an isometric view of the tip section of  FIGS. 4 a - b    having an assembled multi component tip cover, according to an exemplary embodiment of the current invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0040]    While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced be interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope. 
         [0041]    In the description and claims of the application, each of the words “comprise” “include” and “have”, and forms thereof, are not necessarily limited to members in a list with which the words may be associated. 
         [0042]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 1 a   , which schematically depicts an isometric view of a tip section of an endoscope (including an electronic circuit board carrying cameras and illumination sources, and a fluid channeling component), having a multi component tip cover (shown in an exploded view), according to an exemplary embodiment of the current invention and to  FIG. 1 b   , which schematically depicts an isometric view of the tip section of  FIG. 1 a   , having an assembled multi component tip cover, according to some exemplary embodiments of the current invention. 
         [0043]    Tip section  100  generally includes an inner part  110  which includes electronics (such as cameras, circuit board such as electronic circuit board  400 , illumination sources, such as LEDs etc.), fluid channels (such as fluid channeling component  600 ) and a multi-element tip cover  700 . Multi-element tip cover  700  is designed to fit over the inner parts of the tip section  100 , and to provide protection to the internal components in the inner part. Multi-element tip cover  700  includes, according to this embodiment, three parts: a front component  710  configured to cover a front part of the tip section; a right side component  730  configured to cover a right side part of the tip section; and a left side component  750  configured to cover a left side part of the tip section, wherein the front, right side and left side components are configured to abut each other to cover the tip section, in such way that they cover essentially all inner parts of the tip section. 
         [0044]    Front component  710  includes hole  736  configured to align with (and accommodate) front optical assembly  236  of forwards looking camera  116 ; optical windows  242   a ,  242   b  and  242   c  of LEDs  240   a ,  240   b  and  240   c ; distal opening  340  of a working channel  640 ; distal opening  344  of a jet fluid channel  644 ; and irrigation and insufflation (I/I) injector  346  having a nozzle  348  (aligning with opening  664  of fluid channeling component  600 ). 
         [0045]    Left side component  750  includes hole  756   b  configured to align with (and accommodate) side optical assembly  256   b  of side looking camera  220   b ; optical windows  252   a  and  252   b  of LEDs  250   a  and  250   b  on both sides of optical assembly  256   b ; side I/I injector  266   b  adapted to align with side I/I opening  666   b  of fluid component  600 . Also seen in  FIGS. 1 a  and  b    are nozzles  267   a  and  b  for right side I/I injector (not shown) and left side I/I injector  266   b  respectively. 
         [0046]    Right side component  730  includes similar elements (not shown) as left side component  750 . 
         [0047]    Left side component  750  and right side component  730  are each in a shape of essentially half a cylinder (without top and bottom). 
         [0048]    Front component  710  has essentially a cup shape having two opposing arms  712  and  714  extending perpendicularly to the cup bottom (which may also be referred to as the cup&#39;s front face) and protruding from the cup edges. Upon assembling of the tip cover components, front component  710  may be installed first, and then the side components such that their long edges meet each other on both sides over arms  712  and  714  to assure sealing ( FIG. 1 b   ). Adhesives, such as glue, may be added, for example, in cavities  716  (along the external parts of the edges of component  710 ),  718  (along the internal edges of component  730 ) and  720  (along the internal edges of component  750 ) to allow complete sealing of tip section  100 . 
         [0049]    Multi-element tip covers according to embodiments of the invention, such as multi-element tip cover  700  or any other multi-element tip cover as disclosed herein, solves a significant problem that exists in the art when attempts are made to pack all necessary components into the small inner volume of an endoscope tip and to cover and seal these components. Regular cup shaped tip covers are used for standard tips having just one front camera. However, when standard cup shaped tip covers are used to cover the multi-camera tip, protruding inner tip elements, such as lenses or other parts of the side optical assemblies, are often damaged during the sliding of the cover over them. Using a multi-element tip cover may solve this problem. In addition, a multi-element tip cover assists in aiming its holes/openings/windows exactly at their right place over the corresponding tip inner elements. This is almost impossible using a unitary piece cover. Moreover, separately sealing each one of the elements of the multi-element tip cover improves the overall sealing of the tip due to better access to each element (for example an optical window) compared to the limited access of the same element in a unitary piece cover, such as a cup shaped cover. Separately sealing (and optionally checking for satisfactory sealing) of each one of the elements of the multi-element tip cover may be performed prior to assembling of the cover. This may also improve the sealing of the tip. 
         [0050]    According to an embodiment of the current invention, tip section  100  of an endoscope comprises at least a forwards looking camera and at least one side looking camera. Tip section  100  is turnable by way of a flexible shaft (not shown) which may also be referred to as a bending section, for example a vertebra mechanism). 
         [0051]    In some embodiments, the front-looking camera and/or any of the side-looking cameras comprises a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) or a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. 
         [0052]    It is noted that the term “endoscope” as mentioned to herein may refer particularly to a colonoscope, according to some embodiments, but is not limited only to colonoscopes. The term “endoscope” may refer to any instrument used to examine the interior of a hollow organ or cavity of the body. 
         [0053]    Tip section  100  may include front optical assembly  236  of forwards looking camera  116 . Optical axis of forwards looking camera  116  is substantially directed along the long dimension of the endoscope. However, since forward looking camera  116  is typically a wide angle camera, its Field Of View (FOV) may include viewing directions at large angles to its optical axis. It should be noted that number of illumination sources such as LEDs used for illumination of the FOV may vary (for example, 1-5 LEDs may be used on a front face of tip section  100 ). Distal opening  340  of a working channel  640  is also located on the front face of tip section  100 , such that a surgical tool inserted through working channel tube, and through the working channel  640  in the endoscope&#39;s tip section  100  and deployed beyond the front face may be viewed by forwards looking camera  116 . 
         [0054]    Distal opening  344  of a jet fluid channel  644  is also located on the front face of tip section  100 . Distal opening  344  of a jet fluid channel  644  may be used for providing high pressure jet of fluid such as water or saline for cleaning the walls of the body cavity. 
         [0055]    Also located on the front face of tip section  100  is an irrigation and insufflation (I/I) injector  346  having a nozzle  348  aimed at front optical assembly  236 . I/I injector  346  may be used for injecting fluid (liquid and/or gas) to wash contaminants such as blood, feces and other debris from front optical assembly  236  of forwards looking camera  116 . Optionally, the same injector is used for cleaning front optical assembly  236  and one, two or all of optical windows  242   a ,  242   b  and  242   c . I/I injector  346  may be fed by fluid such as water and/or gas which may be used for cleaning and/or inflating a body cavity. 
         [0056]    Visible on a left side of tip section  100  is the side camera (side looking camera) element  256   b  of side looking camera  220   b  and optical windows  252   a  and  252   b  of LEDs  250   a  and  250   b  for camera  220   b . A second side looking camera (not shown) is positioned on the right side of the tip and can be similar to camera  220   b . Optical axis of the second side looking camera is substantially directed perpendicular to the long dimension of the endoscope. Optical axis of side looking camera  220   b  is substantially directed perpendicular to the long dimension of the endoscope. However, since side looking camera  220   b  and the second side looking camera are typically wide angle cameras, their fields of view may include viewing directions at large angles to their optical axes. 
         [0057]    Side I/I injector  266   b  having a nozzle  267   b  aimed at side optical assembly  256   b  may be used for injecting fluid to wash contaminants such as blood, feces and other debris from side optical assembly  256   b  of side looking camera. The fluid may include gas which may be used for inflating a body cavity. Optionally, the same injector is used for cleaning both side optical assembly  256   b  and optical windows  252   a  and/or  252   b . It is noted that according to some embodiments, the tip may include more than one window and LEDs, on the side and more than one window and LEDs in the front (for example, 1-5 windows and two LEDs on the side). Similar configuration of I/I injector and nozzle (not shown) exists for cleaning the optical assembly and optical windows (not shown) located on the other side of tip  100 . The I/I injectors are configured to clean all or a part of these windows/LEDs. In various embodiments, left side I/I injector  266   b , right side I/I injector (not shown), and front side I/I injector  344  are fed from the same channel. 
         [0058]    It is noted that the right side wall (not shown) and left side wall  362  have a form of an essentially flat surface which assists in directing the cleaning fluid injected from the right side I/I injector (not shown) and the left side injector  266   b  towards the right side optical assembly and windows and the left side optical assembly  256   b  and optical windows  252   a  and/or  252   b  respectively. Lack of such flat surface may result in dripping of the cleaning fluid along the curved surface of tip section  100  of the endoscope without performing the desired cleaning action. 
         [0059]    It should be noted that while only one side looking camera can be seen in  FIGS. 1 a  and  b   , preferably at least two side looking cameras are located within tip section  100 . When two side looking cameras are used, the side looking cameras are preferably installed such that their field of views are substantially opposing. However, different configurations and number of side looking cameras are possible within the general scope of the current invention. 
         [0060]    According to some embodiments, the circuit board used for carrying electronic components, such as cameras and/or LEDs, may be a flexible circuit board that may consume less space and leaves more volume for additional necessary features. The flexibility of the board adds another dimension in space that can be used for components positioning. 
         [0061]    The use of a flexible circuit board, according to embodiments of the invention, can significantly increase reliability of the electric modules connection thereto as no wires are for components connectivity. In addition, according to some embodiments, the components assembly can be machined and automatic. 
         [0062]    The use of a flexible circuit board, according to some embodiments of the invention, may also allow components (parts) movement and maneuverability during assembly of the camera head (tip of the endoscope) while maintaining a high level of reliability. The use of the circuit board, according to some embodiments of the invention, may also simplify the (tip) assembling process. 
         [0063]    According to some embodiments, a flexible circuit board may be connected to the control unit via multi wire cable; this cable may be welded on the board in a designated location, freeing additional space within the tip assembly and adding flexibility to cable access. Assembling the multi wire cable directly to the electrical components was a major challenge which is mitigated by the use of the flexible board according to embodiments of the invention. 
         [0064]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 2 , which schematically depicts an isometric view of a tip section of an endoscope (including an electronic circuit board carrying cameras and illumination sources, and a fluid channeling component), having a multi component tip cover (shown in an exploded view), according to an exemplary embodiment of the current invention. Tip section  200  generally includes an inner part  210  which may be similar to inner part  110  of tip section  100  of  FIGS. 1   a - b  and a multi-element tip cover  800 . Multi-element tip cover  800  is designed to fit over the inner parts of the tip section  200 , and to provide protection to the internal components in the inner part. Multi-element tip cover  800  includes, according to this embodiment, a main component  830  configured to cover the majority of the tip section; and a removable window component  850  configured to cover a window opening  860  located on main component  830 , such that removable window component  850  is configured to allow access to an inner part  210  of tip section  200  without removing main component  830 . This may allow fixing or replacing one of the components of inner part  210  (such as a LED, an optical element or any other element) without removing main component  830  and damaging the packing and sealing of tip section  200 . 
         [0065]    Main component  830  has essentially a cup shape having a front face part configured to cover the front face of tip section  200  and cup edges configured to cover the side surface of tip section  200 . 
         [0066]    Main component  830  may further includes front and side holes, openings, windows and surfaces similar to those of multi-component cover  700  of  FIGS. 1 a    and  b.    
         [0067]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 3 , which schematically depicts an exploded view of a multi component tip cover, according to an exemplary embodiment of the current invention. Multi-element tip cover  900  is designed to fit over the inner part (not shown) of a tip section and to provide protection to the internal components in the inner part. Multi-element tip cover  900  includes, according to this embodiment, a front-side component  930  configured to cover a front part and a side part of the tip section and a side component  950  configured to cover another side part of the tip section, wherein front-side component  930  and side component  950  are configured to abut to cover the tip section. 
         [0068]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 4 a - c   .  FIG. 4 a    schematically depicts an isometric view of a tip section of an endoscope (including an electronic circuit board carrying cameras and illumination sources, an electronic circuit board holder, a fluid channeling component), having a multi component tip cover (shown in an exploded view), according to an exemplary embodiment of the current invention.  FIG. 4 b    schematically depicts an isometric view of the tip section of  FIG. 4 a   , having a multi component tip cover (partially in an exploded view), according to an exemplary embodiment of the current invention.  FIG. 4 c    schematically depicts an isometric view of the tip section of  FIGS. 4 a - b    having a multi component tip cover, according to an exemplary embodiment of the current invention. 
         [0069]    Tip section  1000  generally includes an inner part  1100  which includes electronics (such as cameras, circuit board, LEDs etc.), fluid channels (such as fluid channeling component  1600 ) and a multi-element tip cover  1010 . Multi-element tip cover  1010  is designed to fit over the inner parts of the tip section  1000 , and to provide protection to the internal components in the inner part. Multi-element tip cover  1010  includes, according to this embodiment, two parts: a distal component  1050  configured to cover a distal part of the tip section and a proximal component  1030  configured to cover a proximal part of the tip section, wherein the distal component and the proximal component are configured to abut to cover the tip section. Distal component  1050  has a shape of a cylinder having a side wall  1052  and a front face  1054 , front face  1054  is configured to cover a front part  1102  of inner part  1100  of tip section  1000  and proximal component  1030  has a shape of a cylinder having a side wall  1032  without a top or a bottom configured to cover a proximal part  1104  of inner part  1100  of tip section  1000 . 
         [0070]    Distal component  1050  includes on front face  1054  thereof hole  1056  configured to align with front optical assembly  1236  of forwards looking camera  1116 ; optical windows  1242   a ,  1242   b  and  1242   c  of LEDs  1240   a ,  1240   b  and  1240   c ; distal opening  1340  of a working channel  1640 ; distal opening  1344  of a jet fluid channel  1644 ; and I/I injector  1346  (aligning with opening  1664  of Fluid channeling component  1600 ). 
         [0071]    Distal component  1050  further includes on side wall  1052  thereof optical windows  1252   a  of LED  1250   a  and on an opposing side of side wall  1052  another optical window of another LED (not shown). 
         [0072]    Distal component  1050  further includes on the edge of side wall  1052  thereof a recess  1756 ′ (essentially in a shape of half a hole) configured to accommodate (along with a recess  1756 ″ on the edge of side wall  1032  of proximal component  1030 ) optical assembly  1256   b  of side looking camera  1120   b . On an opposing side of side wall  1052  there may be a similar recess (not shown) to accommodate (along with another recess on the edge of an opposing side of side wall  1032  of proximal component  1030 ) an optical assembly (not shown) of a side looking camera (not shown) located on the other side of inner part  1100 . 
         [0073]    Proximal component  1030  includes on side wall  1032  thereof optical windows  1252   b  of LED  1250   b  and on an opposing side of side wall  1032  another optical window (not shown) of another LED (not shown). 
         [0074]    Proximal component  1030  further includes on the edge of side wall  1032  thereof a recess  1756 ″ (essentially in a shape of half a hole) configured to accommodate (along with recess  1756 ′ on the edge of side wall  1052  of distal component  1050 ) optical assembly  1256   b  of side looking camera  1120   b . On an opposing side of side wall  1032  there is a similar recess  1756   a ″ to accommodate (along with another recess on the edge of an opposing side of side wall  1032  of proximal component  1050 ) an optical assembly (not shown) of a side looking camera (not shown) located on the other side of inner part  1100 . 
         [0075]    Proximal component  1030  further includes side I/I injector  1266   b  adapted to align with side I/I opening  1666   b.    
         [0076]    Other parts of inner part  1100  of tip section  1000  may generally be similar to inner part  1100  of tip section  100  of  FIG. 1   a - b.    
         [0077]    The method of assembling tip section  1000  over inner part  1100  may include assembling distal component  1050  from the distal part of tip section  1000 , assembling proximal component  1030  from the proximal part of tip section  1000  and joining distal component  1050  and proximal component  1030  along their edges (line  1500 ) such that none of the tip cover components slides over the optical assemblies of the side looking cameras. 
         [0078]    Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6