US Patent 8928746 Endoscope having disposable illumination and camera module

An endoscope having a single-use disposable illumination and camera module is provided in which an imaging element is disposed within an annular tube of optically transparent material having proximal and distal ends, wherein the proximal end is configured to engage a plurality of LEDS and the distal end has a cross-section in the form of an arc of a circle or ellipse, so that the annular tube serves as a light mixer and diffuser, providing uniform illumination within the field of view of the imaging element. Methods of analyzing and displaying the output of the endoscope also are provided.