Scope sensing in a light controlled environment
First Claim
1. A method for controlling power to an endoscopic light source in a light controlled environment comprising:
- sending an electric communication signal from an imaging device controller to a light source controller at a specified interval;
turning off a light source for a predetermined sample period based on the electric communication signal;
collecting data from an image sensor for a single frame obtained during the predetermined sample period, wherein the data relates to an amount of ambient light received by the image sensor while the light source is turned off, such that there is no light received from the light source during the predetermined sample period;
analyzing the single frame obtained during the predetermined sample period against a specified, predetermined threshold value; and
controlling the operation of the light source based on the data received from the image sensor, such that control and operation of the light source is dependent upon the amount of electromagnetic radiation received by the image sensor during the predetermined sample period when the light source is turned off, wherein controlling the operation of the light source comprises;
setting a light intensity for the light source at or below a predetermined level to reduce heat that is generated at a distal scope tip and at a junction between a light cable and a scope due to light losses in a light transmission path in response to determining that the amount of ambient light is above the predetermined threshold value for the single frame.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting whether an illumination source of an endoscope is in use (inside the body of a patient) versus not in use (outside the body of a patient). The disclosure relies on the fact that the working environment is lit solely by the endoscope and its components. Thus, communication between the illumination or light source controller and the imaging device, such as a surgical camera, is required. When the illumination or light source is turned off and the endoscope is outside the body, a sensor will detect ambient light alerting the illumination source controller that it is outside the body, which then keeps the illumination source off or at a low intensity level. Conversely, when the illumination source is turned off and the endoscope is inside the body, the sensor will not detect any light (or will detect only a very low level of light). Based on this logic, if the imaging device, such as a camera, knows that the light is off during a specific period of time the frame(s) from that time period can be analyzed and the level of light gathered in the frame(s) will show the scope location either inside or outside of the body.
441 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method for controlling power to an endoscopic light source in a light controlled environment comprising:
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sending an electric communication signal from an imaging device controller to a light source controller at a specified interval; turning off a light source for a predetermined sample period based on the electric communication signal; collecting data from an image sensor for a single frame obtained during the predetermined sample period, wherein the data relates to an amount of ambient light received by the image sensor while the light source is turned off, such that there is no light received from the light source during the predetermined sample period; analyzing the single frame obtained during the predetermined sample period against a specified, predetermined threshold value; and controlling the operation of the light source based on the data received from the image sensor, such that control and operation of the light source is dependent upon the amount of electromagnetic radiation received by the image sensor during the predetermined sample period when the light source is turned off, wherein controlling the operation of the light source comprises; setting a light intensity for the light source at or below a predetermined level to reduce heat that is generated at a distal scope tip and at a junction between a light cable and a scope due to light losses in a light transmission path in response to determining that the amount of ambient light is above the predetermined threshold value for the single frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method for operation of an endoscopic light source, the method comprising:
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sending an electric communication signal from an imaging device controller to a light source controller at a specified interval; turning off a light source for a predetermined sample period based on the electric communication signal; collecting data from an image sensor for a single frame obtained during the predetermined sample period, wherein the data relates to an amount of ambient light received by the image sensor while the light source is turned off, such that there is no light received from the light source during the predetermined sample period; determining that the amount of ambient light is above a predetermined threshold value based on the single frame; and setting a light intensity for the light source at or a below a predetermined level to reduce heat that is generated at a distal scope tip and at a junction between a light cable and a scope due to light losses in a light transmission path.
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Specification