IMAGING SENSOR PROVIDING IMPROVED VISUALIZATION FOR SURGICAL SCOPES

• US 20130060086A1
• Filed: 02/24/2012
• Published: 03/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Olive Medical Corporation (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Talbert, Joshua D., Henley, Jeremiah D., Wichern, Donald M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,499,804 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/110
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00006 of control signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00009 of image signals during a use of endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/3132 for laparoscopy

Abstract

A system, apparatus and methods for providing a single use imaging device having improved viewing for sterile environments is disclosed and described. A single use high definition camera used for general purpose surgical procedures including, but not limited to: arthroscopic, laparoscopic, gynecologic, and urologic procedures, may comprise an imaging device that is a sterile and designed to ensure single use. The imaging device may further include a sensor located near the tip of a laparoscope and a view optimizing assembly.

Claims

1. An imaging system for surgical use comprising:

an imaging device comprising;

a housing;

a computer operable memory circuit comprising data representing characteristics of the imaging device;

an electronic communication circuit configured for providing electronic communication between said imaging device and a control unit;

a lumen that is configured for laparoscopic use;

an optical element corresponding to said imaging sensor disposed about the tip of said lumen;

a view optimizing assembly configured for delivering a fluid to a surface of said optical element, wherein said view optimizing assembly comprises;

a sheath sized and configured to receive said lumen;

a fluid flow channel within said sheath for directing a fluid toward said optical element;

an opening in said sheath sized for receiving said lumen therethrough;

a view opening in said sheath for providing said imaging sensor access to light;

wherein said system further comprises;

an imaging sensor disposed within said lumen, wherein said imaging sensor is located substantially near a tip of said lumen.

2. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein data comprising a serial number is stored in said memory circuit for providing identification of the imaging device.

3. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the imaging device further comprises a counting circuit that is configured to cause a count value to be recorded in said memory circuit for each time the imaging device is used.

4. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein a timing circuit causes a date and time value to be recorded in said memory when the main circuit is powered on and said timing circuit further records the amount of time the imaging device is in use in said memory.

5. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein said memory comprises:

a. data representing the number of hours of operation of the imaging device;

b. data representing the number of times the imaging device has been used;

c. data representing a unique identification code;

d. data representing a date of manufacture;

e. data representing a date of last verification/quality check;

f. data representing a location of manufacture;

g. data representing the last control unit to which the imaging device was connected;

h. data representing diagnostic information;

i. data representing procedural specific settings;

j. data representing a date of sterilization;

or

k. data representing specific settings for a specific user.

6. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein said fluid is supplied as part of a insufflator circuit.

7. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein said fluid is saline.

8. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein said fluid is carbon dioxide.

9. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein said optical element is a lens.

10. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein said optical element comprises a plurality of lenses.

11. The imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a light element disposed within said lumen.

12. The imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism that detachably locks said view optimizing assembly to said imaging device.

13. The imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a camera control unit.

14. The imaging device of claim 1, wherein said sheath comprises a plurality of fluid flow channels.

15. The imaging device of claim 1, wherein said image optimizing assembly further comprises a deflection assembly.

16. An imaging system for surgical use comprising:

an imaging device comprising;

a housing;

a computer operable memory circuit comprising data representing characteristics of the imaging device;

an electronic communication circuit configured for providing electronic communication between said imaging device and a control unit;

a lumen that is configured for laparoscopic use;

an optical element corresponding to said lumen disposed about the tip of said lumen;

a view optimizing assembly configured for delivering a fluid to a surface of said optical element, wherein said view optimizing assembly comprises;

a sheath sized and configured to receive said lumen;

a fluid flow channel within said sheath;

a deflector assembly for directing a fluid toward said optical element;

an opening in said sheath sized for receiving said lumen therethrough;

a view opening in said sheath for providing said imaging sensor access to light;

wherein said system further comprises;

an imaging sensor disposed within said housing of said imaging device.

17. The imaging system of claim 16, wherein data comprising a serial number is stored in said memory circuit for providing identification of the imaging device.

18. The imaging system of claim 16, wherein the imaging device further comprises a counting circuit that is configured to cause a count value to be recorded in said memory circuit for each time the imaging device is used.

19. The imaging system of claim 16, wherein a timing circuit causes a date and time value to be recorded in said memory when the main circuit is powered on and said timing circuit further records the amount of time the imaging device is in use in said memory.

20. The imaging system of claim 16, wherein said memory comprises:

a. data representing the number of hours of operation of the imaging device;

b. data representing the number of times the imaging device has been used;

c. data representing a unique identification code;

d. data representing a date of manufacture;

e. data representing a date of last verification/quality check;

f. data representing a location of manufacture;

g. data representing the last control unit to which the imaging device was connected;

h. data representing diagnostic information;

i. data representing procedural specific settings;

j. data representing a date of sterilization;

or

k. data representing specific settings for a specific user.

21. The imaging system of claim 16, wherein said fluid is supplied as part of a insufflator circuit.

22. The imaging system of claim 16, wherein said fluid is saline.

23. The imaging system of claim 16, wherein said fluid is carbon dioxide.

24. The imaging system of claim 16, wherein said optical element is a lens.

25. The imaging system of claim 16, wherein said optical element comprises a plurality of lenses.

26. The imaging system of claim 16, further comprising a light element disposed within said lumen.

27. The imaging system of claim 16, further comprising a locking mechanism that detachably locks said view optimizing assembly to said imaging device.

28. The imaging system of claim 16, further comprising a camera control unit.

29. The imaging device of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of fluid flow channels.

30. An imaging system for surgical use comprising:

a control unit;

an active imaging device comprising;

a housing;

a computer operable memory circuit comprising data representing characteristics of the imaging device;

an electronic communication circuit configured for providing electronic communication between said imaging device and a control unit;

a lumen that is configured for laparoscopic use;

an optical element corresponding to said imaging sensor disposed about the tip of said lumen;

a view optimizing assembly configured for delivering a fluid to a surface of said optical element, wherein said view optimizing assembly comprises;

a sheath sized and configured to receive said lumen;

a fluid flow channel within said sheath;

a deflector assembly for directing a fluid toward said optical element;

an opening in said sheath sized for receiving said lumen therethrough;

a view opening in said sheath for providing said imaging sensor access to light;

wherein said system further comprises;

an imaging sensor disposed within said lumen, wherein said imaging sensor is located substantially near a tip of said lumen.