Patent ID: 8512232

Claim:
An illumination system for staged illumination in an endoscopic procedure, the system comprising: an illumination apparatus that is configured for removable assembly with an endoscope, the illumination apparatus and endoscope being configured for insertion into a patient's body, the illumination apparatus and endoscope forming an illumination system for illuminating a target area in the patients body with sufficient illumination levels for an imaging system, at an insertion end of the endoscope, to receive reflected light and use the reflected light for required imaging; wherein the illumination apparatus has a light source providing a first, relatively high level of illumination suitable for imaging a first, relatively large target area, either alone or in combination with a light source for the endoscope, and after removal of the illumination apparatus from the assembly, the light source for the endoscope provides only a second relatively lower level of illumination suitable for imaging a relatively small target area; wherein the illumination apparatus further comprises a handle end and an opening near the handle end to fit the endoscope and hold the handle end of the illumination apparatus fixedly relative to the endoscope; and wherein the opening comprises a breakable body that breaches the opening when the breakable body is broken.