Wireless Camera Coupling With Rotatable Coupling

• US 20110193948A1
• Filed: 09/10/2010
• Published: 08/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc (Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg)
• Original Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc (Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg)
• Inventors: Amling, Marc R., Ankner, Charles E., Chatenever, David, Hoeg, Hans David
• Granted Patent: US 8,723,936 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/68
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00006 of control signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0002 provided with data storages
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00029 externally powered, e.g. wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00034 rechargeable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00055 for alerting the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00059 provided with identification means for the endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00062 provided with means for preventing overuse
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00064 Constructional details of the endoscope body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00128 mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/045 Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0276 Determining malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2484 Arrangements in relation to a camera or imaging device processing or control of video signals generated by an endoscope H04N23/60, H04N23/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/555 for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 : Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/663 : for controlling interchangeable camera parts based on electronic image sensor signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 : for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A system for wirelessly powering various devices positioned on an endoscope, including, for example, a light source, various electronics including an imager and/or a memory device. The endoscope is coupled to a camera where the endoscope may be rotated relative to the camera when coupled thereto. The system is further provided such that video signal processing parameters are automatically set for an endoscopic video camera system based upon characteristics of an attached endoscope, with reduced EMI and improved inventory tracking, maintenance and quality assurance, and reducing the necessity for adjustment and alignment of the endoscope and camera to achieve the data transfer.

Claims

1. An endoscope video system for wirelessly powering an endoscope coupled to a detachable camera comprising:

an endoscope having a receiver positioned thereon, the receiver receiving wireless energy;

an endoscope coupling mechanism affixed to a proximal end of said endoscope;

a camera having a transmitter positioned thereon, the transmitter wirelessly coupling to the receiver when brought in proximity thereto to transmit energy to the receiver;

a camera coupling mechanism engagable with said endoscope coupling mechanism to mechanically couple said endoscope to said camera;

an imager positioned on said endoscope, said imager coupled to and receiving electrical power from said receiver; and

said imager generating image data.

2. The endoscope video system of claim 1 wherein when said endoscope coupling mechanism engages with said camera coupling mechanism, whereby said endoscope is rotatable relative to said camera.

3. The endoscope video system of claim 1 wherein said endoscope further comprises a shaft having a distal and a proximal end, and wherein said imager is positioned in the shaft.

4. The endoscope video system of claim 3 wherein said imager is positioned at the distal end of the shaft.

5. The endoscope video system of claim 1 further comprising an endoscope light source positioned on said endoscope, said endoscope light source coupled to and receiving electrical power from said receiver.

6. The endoscope video system of claim 5 wherein said endoscope further comprises a shaft having a distal and a proximal end, and wherein said endoscope light source is positioned in the shaft.

7. The endoscope video system of claim 6 wherein said endoscope light source is positioned at the distal end of the shaft.

8. The endoscope video system of claim 1 further comprising a camera control unit coupled to the said camera, said camera control unit receiving and processing the image data.

9. The endoscope video system of claim 8 further comprising a display coupled to said camera control unit, said display presenting said image data to a user.

10. The endoscope video system of claim 8 further comprising a network connection coupled to said camera control unit, wherein the image data is transmitted via said network connection to a remote location for display and/or storage.

11. The endoscope video system of claim 8 wherein said camera control unit is provided integral with said camera or is detachably mounted onto said camera.

12. The endoscope video system of claim 11 wherein said camera control unit further comprises a rechargeable battery.

13. The endoscope video system of claim 1 wherein said endoscope further comprises an energy storage device.

14. The endoscope video system of claim 1 wherein said receiver comprises a fist coil of wire and said transmitter comprises a second coil of wire.

15. The endoscope video system of claim 14 wherein said receiver further comprises a first ferrite core and said transmitter further comprises a second ferrite core.

16. The endoscope video system of claim 1 wherein said receiver comprises a first transceiver and said transmitter comprises a second transceiver.

17. The endoscope video system of claim 16 wherein said endoscope further comprises a memory device positioned thereon and coupled to the first transceiver and wherein said memory device has endoscope parameter data and endoscope use history data stored thereon.

18. The endoscope video system of claim 17 further comprising a camera control unit coupled to said camera, wherein said endoscope parameter data and endoscope use history data is transmitted from said endoscope to said camera control unit and said camera control unit generates modified endoscope use history data, which is transmitted to and saved on said memory device on said endoscope.

19. A method for wirelessly powering an endoscope coupled to a detachable camera comprising the steps of:

positioning a receiver on an endoscope having an endoscope coupling mechanism;

positioning a transmitter on a camera having a camera coupling mechanism;

positioning an imager on the endoscope;

mechanically coupling the endoscope to the camera via the endoscope and camera mechanisms;

coupling the imager to the receiver;

wirelessly transmitting energy from the transmitter to the receiver;

generating image data with the imager with electrical power provided to the imager from the receiver.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of rotating the endoscope relative to the camera while the endoscope and camera are mechanically coupled to each other.

21. The method of claim 19 further comprising the steps of positioning an endoscope light source on said endoscope and generating illuminating light with the endoscope light source.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising the steps of positioning an energy storage device on the endoscope and coupling the energy storage device to the receiver and the endoscope light source.

23. The method of claim 19 further comprising the steps of:

coupling a camera control unit to the camera,

coupling a display to the camera control unit; and

presenting the image data on the display.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of coupling the camera control unit to a network, wherein the image data is transmitted via the network connection to a remote location for display and/or saving.

25. The method of claim 19 wherein the receiver comprises a first transceiver and the transmitter comprises a second transceiver.

26. The method claim 25 further comprising the steps of:

positioning a memory device on the endoscope;

coupling the memory device to the first transceiver;

storing endoscope parameter data and endoscope use history data on the memory device.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising the steps of:

coupling a camera control unit to the camera;

transmitting the endoscope parameter data and endoscope use history data from the camera to the camera control unit;

generating modified endoscope use history data; and

transmitting the modified endoscope use history data from the camera control unit to the endoscope; and

saving the modified endoscope use history data on the memory.

28. An endoscope video system for wirelessly powering an endoscope coupled to a detachable camera comprising:

an endoscope having a receiver positioned thereon, the receiver receiving wireless energy;

an endoscope coupling mechanism affixed to a proximal end of said endoscope;

a camera having a transmitter positioned thereon, the transmitter wirelessly coupling to the receiver when brought in proximity thereto to transmit energy to the receiver;

a camera coupling mechanism engagable with said endoscope coupling mechanism to mechanically couple said endoscope to said camera;

a light source positioned on said endoscope, said light source coupled to and receiving electrical power from said receiver; and

said light source generating illuminating light.

29. The endoscope video system of claim 28 wherein said endoscope further comprises a shaft having a distal and a proximal end, and wherein said light source is positioned in the shaft.

30. The endoscope video system of claim 29 wherein said light source is positioned at the distal end of the shaft.

31. The endoscope video system of claim 28 wherein said endoscope further comprises an energy storage device.

32. The endoscope video system of claim 28 wherein said endoscope further comprises an imager positioned on said endoscope, said imager coupled to and receiving electrical power from said receiver, said imager generating image data.

33. The endoscope video system of claim 28 wherein when said endoscope coupling mechanism engages with said camera coupling mechanism, whereby said endoscope is rotatable relative to said camera.