Stereoscopic endoscope with miniaturized electronic imaging chip

• US 5,494,483 A
• Filed: 10/28/1994
• Issued: 02/27/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edwin L. Adair
• Original Assignee: Edwin L. Adair
• Inventors: Adair, Edwin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P.
• Application Number:
  US08/330,426
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 600/110, 600/111, 600/130, 600/166, 600/173, 600/176, 348/45-47, 348/65, 348/68, 257/53, 257/59, 257/98, 257/447, 257/448, 257/228, 257/464
• US Class Current: 600/111
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00193 adapted for stereoscopic vision
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/239 using two 2D image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance H04N13/243 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/296 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/341 using temporal multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/398 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof
• 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 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

In accordance with one form of the present invention, a stereoscopic endoscope is provided which has an elongated thin cylindrical barrel with a pair of CCDs mounted transversely within the barrel adjacent the distal end thereof. A pair of objective optics are mounted within the barrel between the distal end thereof and the respective CCDs for focusing an image observed through the endoscope on the CCDs. Image signal transmitting wires connected to each CCD extend longitudinally through the barrel and out the proximal end thereof for transmitting an image signal to a remote location. Light transmitting fibers are tightly packed around the objective optics and the CCDs. A first connector is secured to the proximal end of the wires for connection to a stereoscopic image producing device and a second connector is secured to the proximal of the light transmitting fibers for connection to a light source. In another embodiment, the CCDs are mounted in back-to-back relationship and use a prism for directing and focusing an imaging on each CCD. In a third embodiment, an end cap is hinged to the distal end of the barrel with one CCD mounted at the end of the barrel and the other CCD mounted in the end of the end cap in face-to-face relationship with the first CCD when the end cap is closed. The end cap can be swung to an open position to generate a stereoscopic image.

Claims

1. Stereoscopic endoscope comprising:

an elongated thin cylindrical barrel having a distal end and a proximal end;

a pair of miniaturized electronic imaging chips mounted in spaced relationship within said barrel adjacent said distal end thereof, each of said miniaturized electronic imaging chips comprising;

a generally rectangular silicon base layer having a thickness which allows a light image to pass therethrough, said silicon layer having a first side, through which the image is projected, and a second side;

a pixel layer having a first and second side, said first side thereof being attached to said second side of said silicon layer, said pixel layer further having a peripheral edge;

at least one interconnect layer bonded to said second side of said pixel layer; and

electrical leads bonded to and extending substantially perpendicular from said interconnect layer within an area defined by said peripheral edge of said pixel layer

a pair of objective optics mounted within said barrel between said distal end thereof and the respective chips, having a distal end coterminous with said distal end of said barrel, to focus an image observed through the endoscope on the chips;

image signal transmitting wires connected to said electrical leads and extending longitudinally through said barrel and out said proximal end thereof for transmitting an image signal to a remote location;

light transmitting fibers positioned around said objective optics and said chips and having distal ends coterminous with said distal end of said barrel;

a first connector secured to said proximal end of said wires for connection to a stereoscopic image producing device; and

a second connector secured to said proximal end of said light transmitting fibers for connection to a light source.

2. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said chips, each face said distal end of said barrel.

3. A stereoscopic endoscope comprising:

a cylindrical barrel having a distal end and a proximal end;

a pair of miniaturized electronic imaging chips mounted in spaced relationship within said barrel adjacent said distal end thereof, each of said chips including;

a silicon base layer having a thickness which allows a light image to pass therethrough, said silicon layer having a first and second side, said first side through which the image is projected;

a pixel layer having a first and second side, said first side thereof being attached to said second side of said silicon layer said pixel layer further having a peripheral edge; and

at least one interconnect layer bonded to said second side of said pixel layer;

electrical leads bonded to and extending substantially perpendicular from said interconnect layer within an area defined by said peripheral edge of said pixel layer;

a pair of objective optics mounted within said barrel between said distal end thereof and the respective chips, each of said objective optics having a distal end coterminous with said distal end of said barrel to focus an image observed through the endoscope on the chips;

image signal transmitting wires electrically coupled to said electrical leads and extending longitudinally through said barrel and out said proximal end thereof for transmitting an image signal to a remote location; and

at least one light transmitting fiber positioned adjacent said objective optics and said chips, said at least one fiber having a distal end coterminous with said distal end of said barrel.

4. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

said chips are arranged in side-by-side relationship and wherein said chips face said distal end of said barrel.

5. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 3, further including:

a pair of prisms mounted within said barrel proximally from said objective optics and adjacent to said chips in corresponding relation thereto, said chips arranged in back-to-back relationship wherein light passes through said objective optics and said prisms and is bent at an angle by said prisms such that each prism reflects light onto the corresponding chip.

6. A stereoscopic endoscope comprising:

a cylindrical barrel having a distal end and a proximal end;

an end cap hinged to said distal end of said barrel so that it is movable between a closed position covering said distal end of said barrel, said end cap having an axis lying along the longitudinal axis of said barrel, and an open position wherein said end cap lies along side said barrel with said axis thereof generally parallel to said barrel axis, said end cap hinged by means of a hinge element having a spring that normally urges said end cap toward said open position;

first objective optics mounted within said barrel at said distal end thereof;

a first imaging chip mounted within said barrel adjacent said first objective optics and positioned to receive an image focused on it by said first objective optics;

first image signal transmitting wires connected to said first imaging chip and extending longitudinally through said barrel and out said promixal end thereof for transmitting a first image signal to a remote location;

at least one light transmitting fiber positioned around said first objective objects and said first imaging chip and having a distal end coterminous with said distal end of said barrel;

second objective optics mounted within said end cap in face-to-face relationship with said first objective lens when said end cap is in said closed position;

a second imaging chip mounted within said end cap adjacent said second objective optics and positioned to receive an image focused on it by said second objective optics;

second image signal transmitting wires connected to said second imaging chip extending from said end cap and longitudinally through said barrel and out said proximate end thereof for transmitting a second image signal to a remote location when said end cap is in said open position with said first and second objective optics in side-by-side relationship to provide stereoscopic images;

said first and second imaging chips each including;

a silicon base layer having a thickness which allows a light image to pass therethrough, said silicon layer having a first and second side, said first side through which the image is projected;

a pixel layer having a first and second side, said first side thereof being attached to said second side of said silicon layer said pixel layer further having a peripheral edge;

at least one interconnect layer bonded to said second side of second pixel layer; and

electrical leads bonded to and extending substantially perpendicular from said interconnect layer within an area defined by said peripheral edge of said pixel layer.

7. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 6, further including:

a channel extending longitudinally through said barrel;

a sleeve in said end cap aligned with said channel when said end cap is in said closed position; and

a locking rod extendable through said channel and having a distal end receivable in frictional engagement with said sleeve to hold said end cap in said closed position against the force of said spring when said endoscope is inserted into a patient'"'"'s body.

8. A stereoscopic endoscope comprising:

a cylindrical barrel having a distal end and a promixal end;

an end cap hinged to said distal end of said barrel, said end cap being movable between an open position and a closed position, said end cap having spring means attached thereto for urging said end cap towards said open position;

first objective optics mounted within said barrel at said distal end thereof;

a first imaging chip mounted within said barrel adjacent said first objective optics and positioned to receive an image focused on it by said first objective optics;

first image signal transmitting wires connected to said first imaging chip for transmitting a first image signal to a remote location;

at least one light transmitting fiber position adjacent said first objective optics and said first imaging chip and having distal ends coterminous with said distal end of said barrel;

second objective optics mounted within said end cap;

a second imaging chip mounted within said end cap adjacent said second objective optics and positioned to receive an image focused on it by said second objective optics;

second image signal transmitting wires connected to said second imaging chip for transmitting a second image signal to a remote location; and

said first and second imaging chips comprising;

a silicon base layer having a thickness which allows a light image to pass therethrough, said silicon layer having a first side and a second side, said first side through which the image is projected;

a pixel layer having a first and second side, said first side thereof being attached to said second side of said silicon layer said pixel layer further having a peripheral edge;

at least one interconnect layer bonded to said second side of said pixel layer; and

electrical leads bonded to and extending substantially perpendicular from said interconnect layer within an area defined by said peripheral edge of said pixel layer.

9. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 8, further including:

a channel extending longitudinally through said barrel;

a sleeve in said end cap aligned with said channel when said end cap is in the closed position; and

a locking rod extendable through said channel and having a distal end receivable in said sleeve to hold said end cap in said closed position.