An imaging endoscopy system is disclosed, having a base unit, a hand controller, an umbilical section releasably connecting the base unit and the hand controller and an insertion section. The insertion section has a proximal end connected to the hand controller and a distal end for insertion into a subject, the distal end having a steering section and a distal tip. The hand controller includes at least one steering control for controlling bending of the steering section, and wherein the distal tip includes a light source for illumination of a region of tissue of interest and an imaging chip for imaging the region of tissue of interest. The hand controller, umbilical section and insertion section are single use disposable. The base unit is configured to be re-usable.