Remote CCD video camera with non-volatile digital memory

• US 5,896,166 A
• Filed: 01/23/1996
• Issued: 04/20/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Linvatec Corporation (Jefferies Financial Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Envision Medical Corporation (Jefferies Financial Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Christoff, Jordan C., D'Alfonso, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tung, Bryan
• Application Number:
  US08/589,875
• Time in Patent Office: 1,183 Days
• Field of Search: 348/76, 348/74, 348/72, 348/65, 348/82, 348/83, 348/84, 348/85
• US Class Current: 348/72
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0002 provided with data storages
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00062 provided with means for preventing overuse
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/045 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 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices

Abstract

A video camera system stores operating parameter information for reading by the system to provide optimum operating conditions, collects information reflecting system uses for later reading by the system to provide a performance history, and is relatively small and operates with a reduced number of electrical lines to transmit electrical information.

Claims

1. An endoscopic video camera system, comprising:

control circuitry for actuating an imager to produce a video signal and for processing the video signal produced by the imager;

a camera head configured for placement along an optical path extending through an endoscope, and also configured to be detachably and remotely coupled to the control circuitry through at least one signal line, said camera head comprising;

an imager for producing a video signal upon being actuated by control circuitry; and

a readable and writeable non-volatile semiconductor memory device;

said control circuitry further comprising;

a processor which is configured, upon said camera head being operatively engaged to said control circuitry, to read first data representative of at least one characteristic associated with the camera head and stored in said memory device.

2. The endoscopic video camera system of claim 1 wherein the processor is further adapted to configure said control circuitry responsive to the data stored in said memory device, thus adapting said control circuitry to said camera head.

3. The endoscopic video camera system of claim 2 wherein said control circuitry is configured to actuate said imager through at least one signal transmitted over said at least one signal line, and said control circuitry is configured to modify said at least one signal responsive to the first data read from said memory device.

4. The endoscopic video camera system of claim 1 wherein said at least one characteristic includes a characteristic of said imager.

5. The endoscopic video camera system of claim 1 wherein said at least one characteristic includes a characteristic of said endoscope.

6. The endoscopic video camera system of claim 1 wherein said first data is predetermined data stored in said memory device during manufacture of said camera head.

7. The endoscopic video camera system of claim 1 wherein said first data is written into said memory device after manufacture of said camera head.

8. The endoscopic video camera system of claim 1 wherein said processor is configured to update second data stored in said memory device indicative of the number of times the camera head has been used.

9. The endoscopic video camera system of claim 1 wherein said processor is configured to update second data stored in said memory device indicative of the number of times the camera head has been sterilized.

10. The endoscopic video camera system of claim 1 wherein said memory device is an EEPROM.

11. The endoscopic video camera system of claim 1 wherein the camera head is configured for coupling to a proximal end of an endoscope through an optical coupler.

12. An endoscopic video camera system, comprising:

control circuitry for actuating an imager to produce a video signal and for processing the video signal produced by the imager;

a camera head configured for placement along an optical path extending through an endoscope, and also configured to be detachably and remotely coupled to the control circuitry through at least one signal line, said camera head comprising;

an imager for producing a video signal upon being actuated by control circuitry; and

a readable and writeable non-volatile semiconductor memory device; and

said control circuitry further comprising;

a processor which is configured, upon said camera head being operatively engaged to said control circuitry, to access said memory device through said at least one signal line throughout a first time period, and said control circuitry is configured to actuate said imager over said at least one signal line during a second time period which is distinct from and does not overlap the first time period.

13. A method for determining the number of times an endoscopic camera head has been sterilized comprising the steps of:

providing a sterilizable camera head configured for placement along an optical path extending through an endoscope and also including a readable and writeable non-volatile semiconductor memory device for storing data representative of the number of times the camera head has been sterilized;

storing in said memory device first data representative of the number of times the camera head has been sterilized;

predetermining second data representative of the number of sterilization cycles to which said camera head should be limited; and

comparing said first data with said second data and either (1) permitting continued use of said camera head if the number of sterilization cycles to which said camera head should be limited exceeds the number of times the camera head has been sterilized;

or (2) providing an end-of-life signal if the number of sterilization cycles to which said camera head should be limited is less than the number of times the camera head has been sterilized.

14. A method for adjusting at least one operating parameter of a semiconductor imager in an endoscopic camera head comprising the steps of:

providing a camera head configured for placement along an optical path extending through an endoscope, and also including;

a semiconductor imager having at least one predetermined operating parameter and configured to produce a video signal upon being actuated by control circuitry; and

a readable and writeable non-volatile semiconductor memory device for storing data representative of said at least one operating parameter;

storing data representative of said at least one operating parameter in said memory device;

providing control circuitry for actuating a semiconductor imager in a camera head and for processing the video signal produced by said imager;

operatively engaging said camera head and said control circuitry, and reading said data representative of said at least one operating parameter from said memory device included in said camera head; and

adjusting said control circuitry responsive to said data to provide said at least one operating parameter to said semiconductor imager.

15. A method for interchanging first and second endoscopic video camera heads comprising the steps of:

providing a first camera head configured for placement along an optical path extending through an endoscope, and also including;

a semiconductor imager configured to produce a video signal upon actuation by control circuitry, said semiconductor imager having a first operating parameter; and

a readable and writeable non-volatile semiconductor memory device for storing data representative of the number of times the camera head has been used;

providing control circuitry for actuating a semiconductor imager in a camera head and for processing the video signal produced by said imager, and also configured to provide said first operating parameter to said semiconductor imager in said first camera head;

storing in said memory device first data representative of the number of times the first camera head has been used;

predetermining second data representative of the number of uses to which said first camera head should be limited;

comparing said first data with said second data and either (1) permitting continued use of said first camera head if the number of uses to which said first camera head should be limited exceeds the number of times the first camera head has been used;

or (2) providing an end-of-life signal if the number of uses to which said first camera head should be limited is less than the number of times the camera head has been used;

providing a second camera head configured for placement along an optical path extending through an endoscope, and also including;

a semiconductor imager having a second operating parameter and configured to produce a video signal upon being actuated by control circuitry; and

a readable and writeable non-volatile semiconductor memory device for storing data representative of said second operating parameter;

storing data representative of said second operating parameter in said memory device of said second camera head;

performing the following steps if the number of uses to which said first camera head should be limited exceeds the number of uses to which said first camera head should be limited;

operatively engaging said second camera head and said control circuitry, and reading said data representative of said second operating parameter from said memory device included in said second camera head; and

adjusting said control circuitry responsive to said data to provide said second operating parameter to said semiconductor imager in said second camera head.