Patent Application
20070282165
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views.
As indicated on
Display 16 may comprise virtually any type of video screen display for presenting video images to the physician. The display 16 is illustrated coupled to camera control unit 14 via connection 24, which may comprise virtually any standard video cabling.
Endoscope 12 is further illustrated having a solar cell 26 positioned in handle portion 20. The solar cell 26 is coupled to optical channel 22 as is provided as a transducer to convert received optical energy into electrical energy for powering of the electronics on endoscope 12. Also noted in connection with solar cell 26 is a processor, which may be provided to process commands and data for the functioning of system 10.
Optical channel 22 is shown entering handle portion 20 of endoscope 12. Once inside endoscope 12, optical channel 22a is further illustrated as a dashed line coupled to solar cell 26 and further extends into the shaft 18 at a proximal end 28 to couple with imaging device 30 positioned at a distal end 32 of shaft 18.
In one advantageous embodiment, imaging device 30 may be a C-MOS chip embedded within the shaft 18 of endoscope 12, however, it is still further contemplated that imaging device may comprise a CCD chip or any other type of imaging chip as desired for the application.
An electrical channel 34 is further illustrated in
The optical channel 22a extends to the distal end 32 so as to provide illuminating light to the area ahead of the distal end 32 corresponding to the surgical area to be viewed. Light reflected from the surgical area, is picked-up by imaging device 30 and is translated into image data. The image data may, in one advantageous embodiment, be converted to optical data that is transmitted onto optical channel 22a via an optical port 56, such as for example, but not limited to an infrared port(s) (
Alternatively, it is contemplated that the image data may be transmitted from imaging device 30 via electrical channel 34 to the processor, which in turn, may convert the image data into an optical format for transmission via optical channel 22a, 22. Again, this configuration provides excellent electrical isolation between the endoscope 12 and camera control unit 14 as only an optical channel extends therebetween.
In still another advantageous embodiment, a memory 42 is positioned in handle portion 20 of endoscope 12. The memory 42 is coupled to solar cell/processor 26 via a connection 36, which may comprise virtually any appropriate wire or group of wires as desired. It is further contemplated that, while memory 42 is show separate from solar cell/processor 26, it may be formed integral with these devices. Likewise, while solar cell/processor 26 are shown as one device, it is contemplated that these devices may be provided separate from each other or as an integrated unit. It is still further contemplated that the solar cell/processor 26 and memory 42 may be provided as a pluggable unit, which may be removed, for example during sterilization, from handle portion 20 and reinserted as desired. As a pluggable unit, the electronic devices would be provided with both an optical and an electrical connection such as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,826, which is specifically incorporated herein by reference.
Memory 42 may be provided as a memory storage device for storage of various information relating to endoscope 12. For example, memory 42 may include: the type of endoscope including various information relating to the proper functioning, operation and control of the endoscope; the age of the endoscope; the repair history of the endoscope; the number of uses; and the number of sterilizations. This various information will advantageously provide the system 10 with the ability to identify the connected endoscope 12 for proper operation, while at the same time; provide specific information about to the connected endoscope relating to the actual use and maintenance of the selected endoscope. All of this information being stored in memory 42. It is further contemplated that additional information, especially related to the use of the endoscope will be written to memory 42 when the endoscope is used and/or maintained.
In this manner, a highly versatile system 10 is provided for connection of many differing types of endoscopes is provided for, while still providing for increased electrical isolation between endoscope 12 and camera control unit 14 leading to increased patient safety.
Turning now to
In operation, optical energy is transmitted via optical channel 22 and is received by solar cell 26 coupled thereto. The Optical channel also extends to the imaging device 30 to provide illuminating light to the area to be viewed. Solar cell 26 converts the optical energy to electrical energy, which is transmitted to imaging device 30 via electrical channel 34. Imaging device 30 picks-up reflected light from the area to be viewed, and generates corresponding image data. The image data is converted to optical energy and is transmitted to camera control unit 14 via optical channel 22a, 22. In addition, the thermistor 38 also generates a temperature data signal, which is also converted into optical energy and is transmitted to camera control unit via optical channel 22a, 22. In this manner, effective electrical isolation is achieved between the endoscope 12 and camera control unit 14.
It should be noted that, while various functions and methods have been described and presented in a sequence of steps, the sequence has been provided merely as an illustration of one advantageous embodiment, and that it is not necessary to perform these functions in the specific order illustrated. It is further contemplated that any of these steps may be moved and/or combined relative to any of the other steps. In addition, it is still further contemplated that it may be advantageous, depending upon the application, to utilize all or any portion of the functions described herein.
Referring now to
As an alternative embodiment, it is contemplated that imaging device 30 may supply the image data to processor 40, which is coupled to optical channel 22a, 22, such that the image data as well as endoscope information and received command signals are processed through processor 40. This embodiment also provides superior electrical isolation for the patient.
While solar cell 26, processor 40 and memory 42 are illustrated in
Referring now to
Turning now to
In this particular embodiment, it is contemplated that the image data, as well as any endoscope data and command signals, may be wirelessly transmitted between transceiver 52 to transceiver 54. In this example, optical channel 22 is provided to supply illuminating light to imaging device 30 and electrical power may be generated by solar cell 26 to power electronics positioned in endoscope 12.
This embodiment also provides for superior electrical isolation between endoscope 12 and camera control unit 14 as only an optical and a wireless connection extends therebetween providing increased safety for the patient.
It is further contemplated that additional functionality may be provided in endoscope 12, which may be provided to transmit virtually any type of information from distal end 32 to camera control unit 14 via optical channel 22 in addition to a temperature signal. In this manner, use of multiple devices, which may or may not be electrically isolated, may be minimized thereby reducing any risk of shock to the patient.
Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular arrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended to exhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed many other modifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.
