MULTIFUNCTIONAL CAMERA SYSTEM FOR VIDEO ASSISTED THORACIC SURGERY

• US 20190313028A1
• Filed: 04/05/2019
• Published: 10/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University
• Original Assignee: Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University
• Inventors: Crabtree, Traves, York, Timothy, McKay, Mitch, Zhang, Mingshao
• Granted Patent: US 11,533,435 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0004 for electronic operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00133 Drive units for endoscopic tools inserted through or with the endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0016 using motor drive units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/005 Flexible endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0057 Constructional details of force transmission elements, e.g. control wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/04 combined with photographic or television appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/313 for introducing through surgical openings, e.g. laparoscopes
• 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 23/56 provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/58 Means for changing the camera field of view without moving the camera body, e.g. nutating or panning of optics or image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/69 Control of means for changing angle of the field of view, e.g. optical zoom objectives or electronic zooming
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/695 Control of camera direction for changing a field of view, e.g. pan, tilt or based on tracking of objects

Abstract

A multifunctional camera system having a bendable arm configured to be inserted into the thoracic cavity of a patient and camera head at a distal end of the bendable arm. The camera head has a high definition video camera and a light source. The camera head has a view adjustment mechanism for changing a view angle of the camera without changing the position of the camera head. A controller controls the view adjustment mechanism under command of a surgeon.

Claims

1. A multifunctional camera system for video-assisted thoracic surgery comprising a bendable arm configured to be inserted into the thoracic cavity of a patient and camera head at a distal end of the bendable arm, wherein the camera head comprises a high defmition video camera and a light source, the camera head further comprising a view adjustment mechanism for changing a view angle of the camera without changing the position of the camera head, and a controller for controlling the view adjustment mechanism under command of a surgeon.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the view adjustment mechanism comprises a first substrate separated from a second substrate and an actuator that adjusts a relative angle between the first and second substrate.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first substrate is circuit board with the camera and the light source mounted thereupon.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the actuator comprises a spring between the first and second substrate and a plurality of tension cables connected to the first substrate.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the spring comprises a conical spring centrally positioned between the first and second substrates.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the spring comprises a plurality of springs positioned between corner portions of the first and second substrates.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the tension cables are routed through the second substrate and through the springs.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein the tension cables are routed through or along the bendable arm to a plurality of motors controlled by the controller.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the motors comprise stepper motors with spools.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the motors comprise linear actuators.

11. The system of claim 2, wherein the actuator comprises a pneumatic actuator between the first and second substrate.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the pneumatic actuator comprises pneumatic balloons, and the system comprises pneumatic lines routed through or along the flexible arm to a plurality of pneumatic pumps.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the pneumatic balloons comprise a plurality of balloons, with each balloon being positioned between separate quadrants of the first and second substrates.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the view adjustment mechanism comprises rotatable mount hub for rotating a plane of the camera head about a central axis.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the bendable arm is adjustable to a predetermined position by a surgeon and then retains that predetermined position to permit the surgeon to position the camera head flush with pleura or inner thoracic wall.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the flexible arm comprises flexible rebar.

17. The system of claim 1, further comprising a stabilizer for connecting a portion of the flexible arm to the patient.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises voice-controlled activation.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein a profile of the camera head is 20 millimeters or less.

20. A multifunctional camera system for video-assisted thoracic surgery comprising a bendable arm configured to be inserted into the thoracic cavity of a patient and camera head at a distal end of the bendable arm, wherein the camera head comprises a high definition video camera and a light source, the camera head further comprising view adjusting means for adjusting a view angle of the camera without changing the position of the camera head.