Systems and methods for image magnification using relative movement between an image sensor and a lens assembly
First Claim
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1. An endoscope comprising:
- a proximal end comprising a control portion;
a distal end comprising a distal tip, wherein said distal tip comprises at least one objective lens assembly and at least one sensor configured to receive images captured by said objective lens assembly;
an insertion tube extending between the proximal end and distal end; and
a magnification control system comprising a first end positioned at the proximal end, a second end positioned at the distal end and a channel extending between the first end and second end, wherein said first end comprises a first member positioned within the channel, wherein said second end comprises a second member positioned within the channel and physically coupled to the sensor, and wherein the magnification control system is configured such that movement of the first member causes a corresponding movement of the second member and sensor;
wherein the channel is a first cylindrical unit, wherein the first member is a first hub, wherein the second member is a second hub, and wherein the second hub is coupled to the sensor and the first hub is coupled to a user control unit; and
wherein the user control unit is adapted to generate a signal that causes an actuator to move the first hub in a proximal or distal direction and thereby communicate a pressure change to the second member, causing a movement of the second hub which translates into a corresponding movement of the sensor coupled to the second hub.
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Abstract
The present specification describes a novel system for dynamically modifying the magnification power of optical devices used in high performance and critical applications such as medical procedures. The present specification describes an optical imaging system having a magnification control system connected to a sensor device for enabling movement of sensor device with respect to a lens assembly of the imaging system, wherein distance between the sensor device and the lens assembly is altered to enable different levels of magnification capability.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An endoscope comprising:
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a proximal end comprising a control portion; a distal end comprising a distal tip, wherein said distal tip comprises at least one objective lens assembly and at least one sensor configured to receive images captured by said objective lens assembly; an insertion tube extending between the proximal end and distal end; and a magnification control system comprising a first end positioned at the proximal end, a second end positioned at the distal end and a channel extending between the first end and second end, wherein said first end comprises a first member positioned within the channel, wherein said second end comprises a second member positioned within the channel and physically coupled to the sensor, and wherein the magnification control system is configured such that movement of the first member causes a corresponding movement of the second member and sensor; wherein the channel is a first cylindrical unit, wherein the first member is a first hub, wherein the second member is a second hub, and wherein the second hub is coupled to the sensor and the first hub is coupled to a user control unit; and wherein the user control unit is adapted to generate a signal that causes an actuator to move the first hub in a proximal or distal direction and thereby communicate a pressure change to the second member, causing a movement of the second hub which translates into a corresponding movement of the sensor coupled to the second hub. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An endoscope comprising:
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a lens assembly, wherein said lens assembly comprises a plurality of lenses; a sensor configured to receive images captured by said lens assembly; and
,a magnification control system coupled to said sensor comprising a first cylindrical unit coupled to a first hub and a second cylindrical unit coupled to a second hub, wherein the first cylindrical unit and second cylindrical unit are connected through an air-tight tube, wherein the first hub is coupled to a user control unit and the second hub is coupled to the sensor, and wherein the magnification control system is configured such that movement of the first hub translates into movement of the second hub and sensor device through a change in air pressure in the air-tight tube. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. An endoscope with an image magnification capability comprising:
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a distal tip section comprising a plurality of objective lenses, a sensor configured to receive images captured by said plurality of objective lenses, and at least one expandable and retractable connector coupling the sensor to a lens holder and facilitating a movement of the sensor across a plurality of predefined positions; and a magnification control system coupled to said sensor enabling said movement of the sensor relative to a position of said plurality of objective lenses to provide varying levels of magnification capability, wherein said magnification control system comprises a first unit coupled to a first hub located in a control handle portion of the endoscope and a second unit coupled to a second hub located in the distal tip section of the endoscope, wherein the first unit and second unit are connected through an air-tight tube, having a first level of air pressure, extending from said control handle portion to said distal tip section, and wherein said second hub is coupled to the sensor and the first hub is coupled to a user control system. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of operating an endoscope comprising a distal tip with an objective lens assembly and a sensor configured to receive images captured by said objective lens assembly, a control handle, an insertion tube extending between the distal tip and control handle, and a magnification control system comprising a first end in the control handle, a second end in the distal tip and coupled to the sensor, and a fluid-tight channel extending through the insertion tube and between the first end and second, the method comprising:
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at the control handle, receiving an input to change a magnification level; in response to said input, causing a pressure level at the first end to change; and as a result of the pressure level change, communicating said pressure level change through the fluid-tight channel to the second end, wherein said pressure level change causes the second end to move and, correspondingly, the sensor to move, thereby altering a distance between the sensor and the objective lens assembly by an amount determined by said input. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification