An endoscope apparatus and method of operating the same. The endoscope
apparatus comprises an endoscope portion and a control and display unit.
The endoscope portion preferably comprises: (i) a sensor disposed at a
distal end of the endoscope portion and providing endoscope data; (ii) one
or more electronically controlled actuators (e.g., electroactive polymer
actuators) controlling the operation of the endoscope portion based on
received control signals; (iii) a first wireless transceiver coupled to
the sensor and the one or more electronically controlled actuators,
transmitting received endoscope data from the sensor and forwarding
received control signals to the one or more electronically controlled
actuators; and (iv) a portable power source (e.g., a battery) coupled to
the sensor, the first wireless transceiver, and the one or more
electronically controller actuators. The control and display unit
preferably comprises: (i) a second wireless transceiver coupled via a
wireless link to the first transceiver in the endoscope portion and
receiving endoscope data from the first transceiver and transmitting
control signals to the first transceiver; (ii) a control portion coupled
to the second wireless transceiver and sending control signals to the one
or more actuators in the endoscope portion via the first and second
wireless transceivers; and (iii) a display portion that displays
information received from the sensor via the first and second wireless
transceivers. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a
method for providing single-use endoscopes to one or more hospitals.
