Patent ID: 8376933

Claim:
A tool feeding module for an endoscopic apparatus, the module comprising: a housing removably connected to the endoscopic apparatus; a channel formed within the housing, the channel comprising an inlet, an outlet, and discrete sections between the inlet and outlet, the channel configured to receive a tool therethrough; an insertion length selection switch configured to select a length of the tool fed through the channel, wherein the insertion length selection switch comprises a manual adjustment member disposed on the housing; a feed mechanism aligned with and positioned between the discrete sections, the feed mechanism configured to advance and retract the tool through the channel; and a tool advancement switch formed proximate the inlet, wherein the tool advancement switch is configured to be tripped when contacted by the tool, and, in response, causes the feed mechanism to advance the tool into the channel until the pressure exerted by the tool is removed from the tool advancement switch, the length is reached, or both.