Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090051763 | IMAGING SYSTEMS AND METHODS, PARTICULARLY FOR USE WITH MEDICAL INSTRUMENT USED IN OPEN SURGERY - An electronic imaging apparatus (and related methods of manufacture and use), comprising: a chassis, having an open cylindrical groove formed therein; an image sensor assembly mounted in the chassis, the image sensor assembly comprising an electronic image sensor; a plurality of lenses, which are fitted into the groove in respective positions so as to form an image on the image sensor; and a cover, which closes over the image sensor assembly and the lenses in the chassis. The imaging system is particularly suitable as a compact imaging systems for use on instruments for open surgery. | 02-26-2009 |
20110029733 | ENDOSCOPY DEVICE SUPPORTING MULTIPLE INPUT DEVICES - The present invention provides a remote-head imaging system with a camera control unit capable of supporting multiple input devices. The camera control unit detects an input device to which it is connected and changes the camera control unit's internal functionality accordingly. Such changes include altering clock timing, changing video output parameters, and changing image processing software. In addition, a user is able to select different sets of software program instructions and hardware configuration information based on the head that is attached. The remote-head imaging system utilizes field-programmable circuitry, such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), in order to facilitate the change in configuration. | 02-03-2011 |
20110060184 | ENDOSCOPIC ILLUMINATION SYSTEM, ASSEMBLY AND METHODS FOR STAGED ILLUMINATION OF DIFFERENT TARGET AREAS - The inventive subject matter is generally directed to an illumination system for staged illumination in an endoscopic procedure. The inventive system generally includes an illumination apparatus supporting a light source that is configured for removable assembly with an endoscope. The assembly is configured for insertion into a natural or artificial passageway in a body. The illumination apparatus has one or more light sources 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 endoscope provides a second relatively lower level of illumination suitable for imaging a relatively small target area. | 03-10-2011 |
20110144429 | ENDOSCOPE WITH AN IMPROVED WORKING CHANNEL - A medical device includes an insertion tube, having a proximal end and a distal end, which is configured for insertion into a body cavity of a subject. An optical assembly is contained in the distal end and configured to form an image of a target region in the body cavity. A working channel passes through the insertion tube and is configured to convey a fluid from the proximal to the distal end. The working channel has a segment adjacent to the distal end that is narrowed so as to cause the fluid to exit the working channel into the target region in a diverging cone. | 06-16-2011 |
20130253270 | ENDOSCOPE WITH AN IMPROVED WORKING CHANNEL - A medical device includes an insertion tube, having a proximal end and a distal end, which is configured for insertion into a body cavity of a subject. An optical assembly is contained in the distal end and configured to form an image of a target region in the body cavity. A working channel passes through the insertion tube and is configured to convey a fluid from the proximal to the distal end. The working channel has a segment adjacent to the distal end that is narrowed so as to cause the fluid to exit the working channel into the target region in a diverging cone. | 09-26-2013 |
20140063217 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION OF SIGNALS FROM A FIRST TYPE OF IMAGE SENSOR TO A SECOND TYPE OF CAMERA CONTROL UNIT - A method and apparatus for conversion of signals from a first type of image sensor to a second type of camera control unit is presented. A first interface is provided for enabling electrical communication between the conversion module and an image sensor, the image sensor being interchangeable between a Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) and a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) image sensor. A second interface is provided for enabling electrical communication between the conversion module and a camera control unit (CCU). Also provided is conversion circuitry in communication with the first interface and the second interface, the conversion circuitry receiving signals of a first type from the first interface, converting the signals of a first type to signals of a second type and providing the signals of a second type to the second interface. | 03-06-2014 |
20140074134 | AUTOMATIC TOOL MARKING - Surgical apparatus, including a trocar having a tubular member with a tubular member distal end and a tubular member proximal end. The apparatus further includes a tool having a tool proximal end and a tool distal end. The tool is insertably disposed within the tubular member with the tool distal end projecting beyond the tubular member distal end. The apparatus further includes an indicator indicating the tool distal end while the tool distal end projects beyond the tubular member distal end. | 03-13-2014 |
20140142383 | Endoscope Camera Head Memory - An endoscope, consisting of an image sensor which is configured to generate an image signal and a control circuit which is mounted on the endoscope. The control circuit is configured to drive the image sensor based on a control signal from a processor. The endoscope includes a connector which is connected to the image sensor and which is configured to detachably connect to the control circuit. In addition, the connector includes a memory storing calibration data with respect to the image sensor. The control circuit adjusts the image signal, based on the calibration data stored in the memory, to form a calibrated image signal, and transmits the calibrated image signal to the processor. | 05-22-2014 |
20140210971 | Navigation Using a Pre-Acquired Image - A method for imaging, including capturing an initial image of a surface under investigation using a first endoscope, and delineating within the initial image a target region of interest surrounded by an initial image peripheral region, the target region of interest having a location defined with respect to the initial image peripheral region. The method includes capturing a subsequent image of the surface under investigation using a second endoscope and identifying in the subsequent image, by comparison with characteristics of the initial image peripheral region, a subsequent image peripheral region corresponding to the initial image peripheral region. The further includes computing the location of the target region of interest in the subsequent image in response to the identified subsequent image peripheral region. | 07-31-2014 |
20140218494 | High Definition Video Recorder/Player - Apparatus, including a host processor, which is configured to receive video data encapsulated in a standard definition transmission format, and to store the encapsulated video data in a memory. The apparatus further includes a data converter, which is configured to receive high definition video data as a sequence of packets and to encapsulate the sequence of packets in the standard definition transmission format. The data converter is also configured to convey the encapsulated packets to the host processor so that the host processor stores the packets in the memory. | 08-07-2014 |
20140296644 | PANORAMIC ORGAN IMAGING - An imaging apparatus, including a pattern projecting device that projects a pattern onto a wall of a body cavity, the pattern including at least a first section and a second section. The apparatus also includes an illumination device that directs an illumination light onto the wall of the body cavity and an imaging device that, while in a first orientation directed to the first section of the pattern projected onto the wall, acquires a first image of the first section, and while in a second orientation directed to the second section of the pattern projected onto the wall, acquires a second image of the second section. The apparatus further includes a processor controlling the pattern projecting device and the illumination device such that the imaging device acquires the first and the second images during the use of the illumination light, and stitching the first image to the second image. | 10-02-2014 |
20140316433 | RELAY BASED TOOL CONTROL - Medical apparatus, including a local medical tool and a remote medical tool, located remotely from the local medical tool. The apparatus includes a lockable joint, physically connected to the local medical tool, that is operable in a locked state or in an unlocked state. A handle is physically connected to the lockable joint, so that in the locked state of the joint, movements of the handle are directly transferred to corresponding movements of the local medical tool. The apparatus includes sensors that are configured, in the unlocked state of the joint, to measure motions of the handle with respect to the lockable joint. The apparatus also includes a controller, which in the unlocked state of the joint receives indications of the motions of the handle with respect to the lockable joint, and which is configured to apply the indications to generate corresponding motions for the remote medical tool. | 10-23-2014 |
20150025357 | DOUBLE LINE IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device, including a first longitudinal body which is configured to be inserted into a cavity, and a first linear imaging element having a first linear proximal end and a first linear distal end, which is rotatably connected at the first linear proximal end to the first longitudinal body. The imaging device further includes a second linear imaging element having a second linear proximal end and a second linear distal end, which is rotatably connected at the second linear proximal end to the first linear distal end. The device also has a second longitudinal body, slidably positioned with respect to the first longitudinal body and rotatably connected to the second linear distal end. There is a rotatable shaft that is connected to at least one of the first longitudinal body and the second longitudinal body. | 01-22-2015 |