US Patent 7387606 Colonoscope apparatus and method

This invention relates to an improved colonoscope and method of removing or adding non-distal fluid from the colon during colonoscopy using a colonoscope, the colonoscope having at least a distal port and a non-distal port or plurality of non-distal ports to remove fluid from a shared channel within the colonoscope. The invention further describes the utilization of multiple ultrasound probes to determine a three dimensional image of anatomy behind the wall of a colon and the usage of microprocessors and/or motors to tighten and release wires of the colonoscope. Finally, a method of using an external joystick and a joystick on a handle of a colonoscope to effect navigation is described.