Video laparoscope with sealed video processor module and illumination unit

• US 5,702,345 A
• Filed: 07/28/1995
• Issued: 12/30/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Inventors: Wood, Robert J., Pileski, Michael J., Pasik, Gregory E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Lynne A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P.
• Application Number:
  US08/508,672
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 600/109, 600/112, 600/132, 600/133, 600/178, 600/180, 348/65, 348/75, 385/115-117, 359/821, 362/32, 362/227, 362/234, 362/267, 439/577, 439/191
• US Class Current: 600/109
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/04 combined with photographic or television appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/313 for introducing through surgical openings, e.g. laparoscopes

Abstract

A laparoscope is constructed with a plug-in module containing video processing circuitry and coupled through a flexible umbilical to a rigid or partly rigid insertion tube that contains a miniature video camera. A fiber optic bundle for illumination has a bifurcated proximal end with two portions each terminating in respective sleeves that project from the module. The sleeve projects from the module. The sleeves position the illumination bundle portions at the focussed spot of light produced by respective low-power metal halide discharge lamps. A rotary vane shutter is servo controlled to limit the amount of light entering the fiber optic bundle so that the monitor video picture is kept at a constant level. The metal sleeve for the fiber optic bundle ends serve as grounding elements, and are coupled by a grounding pigtail within the module to a ground conductor in the umbilical. A test opening with a threaded plug serves as a pressure test port.

Claims

1. A video laparoscope which comprises an elongated insertion tube which includes a lens assembly for focussing light which enters a distal end of the insertion tube onto a miniature video imager which produces an image signal that represents a target located distally of the insertion tube;

a plug-in video processor module connected by an umbilical to said insertion tube and including a sealed housing, video processing circuitry receiving power from terminals of an electrical connector on said housing and providing control and synchronizing signals to said video imager and processing the image signal therefrom to furnish to output terminals of said electrical connector a standard format video signal suitable for a video monitor to produce a picture of said target;

a fiber optic bundle having a proximal end extending from a proximal end of the module, and extending through said umbilical and said insertion tube to a distal end thereof from which light carried by the bundle is incident upon said target to illuminate same; and

a light and power unit including a cabinet which has a socket into which said video processor module is removably inserted, a power supply in said cabinet providing electrical power at a suitable level to a mating electrical connector in said socket which contacts the electrical connector of said processor module, and a light source within said cabinet providing illumination onto the proximal end of the said fiber optic bundle when said processor module is fully inserted into said socket;

wherein said processor module housing includes a threaded pressure test aperture therethrough, and a threaded plug sealably fitted therein, and wherein said processor module is filled with a dry inert gas under a suitable pressure exceeding one atmosphere.

2. A video laparoscope according to claim 1 wherein said module includes a metal sleeve protruding from a proximal side of said module and containing the proximal end of said fiber optic bundle;

and a grounding strap within said module connecting a ground conductor in said umbilical to said metal sleeve so that the latter can provide a chassis ground in common with said light and power unit.

3. A video laparoscope according to claim 2 wherein said light and power unit includes a receptacle in said socket for receiving said metal sleeve and positioning said fiber optic bundle proximal end at said light source, said receptacle including means for electrically coupling said sleeve to a chassis ground of said light and power unit.

4. A video laparoscope according to claim 3 wherein said metal sleeve has an annular locating recess on its outer surface to cooperate with retaining means in said receptacle to hold said sleeve in a predetermined position.

5. A video laparoscope according to claim 1 wherein housing of said module has a generally rectangular cross section with opposite side walls having respective protruding ribs thereon, and said socket has corresponding channels for respectively receiving said ribs and guiding the module into proper position in said socket.

6. A video laparoscope which comprises an elongated insertion tube which includes a lens assembly for focussing light which enters a distal end of the insertion tube onto a miniature video imager which produces an image signal that represents a target located distally of the insertion tube;

a video processor module coupled by an umbilical to said insertion tube and including a housing, video processing circuitry entirely and sealably contained within the housing and receiving power from terminals of an electrical connector mounted on said housing and providing control and synchronizing signals to said video imager and processing the image signals therefrom to provide to output terminals of said electrical connector a standard-format video signal to be supplied to a video monitor to produce a picture of said target;

a fiber optic light conduit having a bifurcated proximal end with two branches each projecting from said module at two respective spaced locations thereon, and extending distally from said module to carry illumination to be incident upon said target; and

a light and power unit including a socket into which said video processor module is removably inserted, a power supply providing suitable electrical power to a mating electrical connector on said socket which contacts the electrical connector on said processor module; and

a pair of spaced-apart light sources each providing illumination onto a respective one of the branches of said fiber optic conduit at one of said locations, such that in the case of failure of one of said light sources the remaining light source will continue to provide uninterrupted illumination of said target and a wiring harness within said light and power unit connecting the mating electrical connector of said socket to a video monitor.

7. In a video inspection system in which a visual image of a remote target is reproduced on a video monitor and in which a lens means focuses the image of said target onto a solid state imager which provides a video output;

the improvement which comprises an illumination unit including a pair of spaced apart light sources whose light outputs are converged at respective foci;

a module including a module housing, video circuit means entirely contained and sealed within the module housing for processing the video output from said imager to provide a standard format video signal suitable to feed directly to said monitor to reproduce said visual image thereon;

a fiber optic bundle that is bifurcated within said module and having respective proximally extending end portions and extending distally to carry illumination to said remote target;

means for releasably securing said module onto said illumination unit; and

means on said module for positioning said end portions of said bifurcated fiber optic bundle at the respective foci of said illumination sources when said connector module is secured onto said illumination unit.

8. The improvement of claim 7 wherein said light sources each comprise a low power metal halide discharge lamp.

9. The improvement of claim 7 wherein proximal end portions of said bifurcated fiber optic bundle each protrude proximally from the module housing so as to be positioned at the respective focus when said connector module is secured onto said illumination unit.