ENDOSCOPE, IN PARTICULAR, HAVING STEREO-LATERAL-VIEW OPTICS

• US 20020007110A1
• Filed: 10/16/1998
• Published: 01/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1992
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ing. Klaus Irion
• Original Assignee: Ing. Klaus Irion
• Inventors: IRION, ING. KLAUS
• Granted Patent: US 6,450,950 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/170
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00181 for multiple fixed viewing angles A61B1/00193 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00193 adapted for stereoscopic vision
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion

Abstract

Disclosed is an endoscope having an endoscope shaft at the distal end of which a solid state image-recording system is disposed which is designed in the manner of lateral-view optics.

The present invention is distinguished by the solid state image recording system being provided with at least two image recorders, and by the endoscope shaft being deflect-able in the distal region in such a manner that the viewing direction of the solid state image-recording system or at least one image recorder being approximately parallel to the axis of the proximal part of said endoscope shaft.

Claims

1. An endoscope having a longitudinal axis comprising an endoscope shaft, and a solid state image-recording system disposed at a distal end region of said endoscope, said solid state image-recording system having lateral-view optics and provided with at least two solid state image recorders, wherein two of said at least two solid state image recorders are disposed in said distal end region of said endoscope side-by-side in a row along a direction of the longitudinal axis of said endoscope.

2. An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said two side-by-side solid state image recorders are arranged for stereo viewing so that optical axes of both said two side-by-side solid state image recorders possess a convergence angle to one another wherein object fields recorded from two viewing directions are substantially identical.

3. An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein each of said at least two solid state image recorders is provided with a solid state image sensor and imaging optics.

4. An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said endoscope shaft is deflectable in the distal end region so that a viewing direction of said solid state image-recording system is substantially parallel or coaxial to the longitudinal axis of a proximal part of said endoscope.

5. An endoscope according to claim 2, wherein said convergence angle between said two side-by-side solid state image recorders is adjustable.

6. An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said distal end region of said endoscope is provided in a viewing direction with light-conductor exits which are disposed symmetrically with respect to said two side-by-side solid state image recorders and illuminate an object field.

7. An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said endoscope shaft has a bendable portion proximate to said distal end region of said endoscope, said entire endoscope shaft assuming a non-bent straight form during the insertion of said endoscope with the aid of an oblong trocar tube.

8. An endoscope according to claim 7, wherein deflection of said endoscope shaft in said distal region occurs via Bowden wires or controllable joints.

9. An endoscope according to claim 3, wherein said solid state image sensors are mechanically connected.

10. An endoscope according to claim 7, wherein the bendable portion enable bending of about 90°

.

11. An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said two side-by-side solid state image recorders have solid state image sensors disposed on a single conductor plate.

12. An endoscope according to claim 11, wherein said solid state image sensors are one of semiconductor chips and CCD arrays disposed on a single ceramic carrier.

13. An endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising an additional image recorder being provided in said endoscope shaft in said distal end region of said endoscope so as to provide a viewing direction along the longitudinal axis of said endoscope.

14. An endoscope according to claim 3, wherein said solid state image sensors enable recording and reading out of image data requiring several periodic signals and supply voltages as input signals and delivering at least one output signal containing the image data.

15. An endoscope according to claim 4, wherein said input signals are identical for two or more solid state image sensors so that the number of signal lines for said input signals from a proximal side supply unit to a distal instrument tip remains constant for more than one sensor.

16. An endoscope according to claim 14, wherein for each said solid state image sensor an output signal line is required for image data transmission from the distal end region to a proximal region of said endoscope for further processing.

17. An endoscope according to claim 14, further comprising an electronic processing unit provided in said endoscope shaft in said distal end region for processing the periodic signals required for reading out said solid state image sensors.

18. An endoscope according to claim 17, wherein said electronic processing unit enables joint processing and delivery of the periodic signals in common to two or more solid state image sensors.

19. An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the at least two solid state image recorders provide an electrical output to a proximal region of the endoscope representing an image viewed by the lateral view optics thereof.