Reduced area imaging devices utilizing selected charge integration periods
First Claim
1. A reduced area imaging device comprising:
- an image sensor lying in a first plane and including an array of pixels for receiving images thereon, said image sensor further including circuitry means on said first plane and coupled to said array of pixels for timing and control of said array of pixels, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal;
a first circuit board lying in a second plane and communicating with said image sensor by at least one pre-video conductor inner-connecting said image sensor and said first circuit board, said first circuit board including circuitry means for converting said pre-video signal to a post-video signal for reception by a standard video device;
a power supply coupled with said image sensor for driving said array of pixels and said timing and control means, and electrically coupled to said first circuit board for driving said first circuit board; and
a time select switch electrically communicating with said first circuit board for selectively varying integration periods to produce an image of a desired brightness.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A reduced area imaging device is provided for use in a wide variety of devices including medical or dental instruments such as an endoscope. In one configuration of the imaging device, the image sensor is placed remote from the remaining circuitry. In another configuration, all of the circuitry to include the image sensor is placed in a stacked fashion at the same location. In a first embodiment of the invention, the entire imaging device can be placed at the distal tip of an endoscope. In a second embodiment, the image sensor is remote from the remaining circuitry according to the first configuration, and wherein a control box can be provided which communicates with the image sensor and is placed remotely from the endoscope. In another embodiment, the imaging device can be incorporated in the housing of a standard medical camera which is adapted for use with traditional rod lens endoscopes. In yet another embodiment, the imaging device can be wholly incorporated within the endoscope by placing the image sensor and timing and control circuitry within the distal tip of the endoscope, and placing the remaining processing circuitry within the handle of the endoscope. In any of the embodiments, the image sensor may be placed alone on a first circuit board, or timing and control circuits may be included on the first circuit board containing the image sensor. One or more video processing boards can be stacked in a longitudinal fashion with respect to the first board, or the video processing boards may be placed in the control box or in the handle of the endoscope. The imaging device may be further enhanced by including charge integration capability. Accordingly, the imaging device can be defined as a CMOS-CID device wherein a user may select an appropriate integration period in order to enhance the viewed image to a desired level of brightness. Particularly in fluorescence guided endoscopy and fluorescence assisted surgery, the ability to vary and select particular charge integration periods improves these processes.
-
Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A reduced area imaging device comprising:
-
an image sensor lying in a first plane and including an array of pixels for receiving images thereon, said image sensor further including circuitry means on said first plane and coupled to said array of pixels for timing and control of said array of pixels, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal;
a first circuit board lying in a second plane and communicating with said image sensor by at least one pre-video conductor inner-connecting said image sensor and said first circuit board, said first circuit board including circuitry means for converting said pre-video signal to a post-video signal for reception by a standard video device;
a power supply coupled with said image sensor for driving said array of pixels and said timing and control means, and electrically coupled to said first circuit board for driving said first circuit board; and
a time select switch electrically communicating with said first circuit board for selectively varying integration periods to produce an image of a desired brightness. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 6)
-
-
4. A reduced area imaging device comprising:
-
an image sensor lying in a first plane and including an array of pixels for receiving images thereon, said image sensor including circuitry means on said first plane and coupled to said array of pixels for timing and control of said array of pixels, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal;
a control box remote from the said image sensor, said control box including circuitry means for receiving said pre-video signal from said image sensor, and for converting said pre-video signal to a post-video signal which may be received by a standard video device;
a power supply coupled to said control box and said image sensor for providing power thereto; and
a time select switch electrically communicating with said circuitry means for receiving and for converting, said time select switch for selectively varying integration periods to produce an image of a desired brightness.
-
-
7. A reduced area imaging device comprising:
-
an image sensor lying in a first plane and including an array of pixels for receiving images thereon;
a first circuit board spaced from said image sensor and electrically communicating therewith, said first circuit board including circuitry means for timing and control of said array of CMOS pixels, said image sensor and said timing and control circuitry producing a pre-video signal, said first circuit board further including circuitry means for converting said pre-video signal to a post-video signal for reception by a standard video device;
a power supply electrically coupled with said image sensor and said first circuit board for providing power thereto; and
a time select switch electrically communicating with said first circuit board for selectively varying integration periods to produce an image of a desired brightness. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
-
-
10. A reduced area imaging device comprising:
-
an image sensor lying in a first plane and including an array of pixels for receiving images thereon;
circuitry means electrically coupled to said array of pixels for timing and control of said array of pixels, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal;
a control box remote from said image sensor and said timing control means, said control box including circuitry means for receiving said pre-video signal from said image sensor and for converting said pre-video signal to a post-video signal which may be received by a standard video device;
a power supply coupled to said control box and said image sensor for providing thereto; and
a time select switch electrically communicating with said circuitry means for receiving and for converting, said time select switch for selectively varying integration periods to produce an image of a desired brightness. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
13. A method of viewing an object with an imaging device, said method comprising the steps of:
-
providing an image sensor including an array of pixels, circuitry means coupled to said array of pixels for timing and control of said pixels, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal;
providing first circuitry means for receiving said pre-video signal from said image sensor and for converting said pre-video signal to a post-video signal which may be received by a standard video device;
viewing the object and determining a desired level of brightness to be viewed; and
adjusting a charged integration period of the imager to maximize desired brightness of the image.
-
Specification