Reduced area imaging devices incorporated within surgical instruments

• US 6,310,642 B1
• Filed: 08/03/1999
• Issued: 10/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Micro-Imaging Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Micro-Medical Devices, Inc.
• Inventors: Adair, Edwin L., Adair, Randall S., Adair, Jeffrey L.
• Primary Examiner(s): RAO, ANAND SHASHIKANT
• Application Number:
  US09/368,246
• Time in Patent Office: 819 Days
• Field of Search: 348/65, 348/66, 348/67, 348/68, 348/70, 348/72, 348/76, 600/109, 600/175, 600/129, 600/160, 600/172, 600/200
• US Class Current: 348/76
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0607 for annular illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 25/167 comprising optoelectronic devices, e.g. LED, photodiodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/3011 Impedance
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• 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

Abstract

A reduced area imaging device is provided for use in medical or dental instruments such as an endoscope. In one configuration of the imaging device, the image sensor is placed remote from the remaining circuitry. In another configuration, all of the circuitry to include the image sensor is placed in a stacked fashion at the same location. In a first embodiment of the invention, the entire imaging device can be placed at the distal tip of an endoscope. In a second embodiment, the image sensor is remote from the remaining circuitry according to the first configuration, and wherein a control box can be provided which communicates with the image sensor and is placed remotely from the endoscope. In another embodiment, the imaging device can be incorporated in the housing of a standard medical camera which is adapted for use with traditional rod lens endoscopes. In yet another embodiment, the imaging device can be wholly incorporated within the endoscope by placing the image sensor and timing and control circuitry within the distal tip of the endoscope, and placing the remaining processing circuitry within the handle of the endoscope. In any of the embodiments, the image sensor may be placed alone on a first circuit board, or timing and control circuits may be included on the first circuit board containing the image sensor. One or more video processing boards can be stacked in a longitudinal fashion with respect to the first board, or the video processing boards may be placed in the control box or in the handle of the endoscope.

Claims

1. An endoscope with integral imaging capability comprising:

a handle for grasping by a surgeon, said handle having an interior opening;

a tubular portion including a distal end, a proximal end and a central passageway extending therethrough, said tubular portion connected at said proximal end to said handle;

an image sensor lying in a first plane and including an array of CMOS pixels, said image sensor positioned near said distal end of said tubular portion for receiving images of a surgical site, said image sensor producing an image signal;

circuitry means electrically coupled to said image sensor for timing and control of said image sensor, said circuitry means for timing and control placed within said tubular portion;

a video processor board placed within said interior opening of said handle and in electric communication with said image sensor, said video processor board including circuitry means for processing said image signal; and

a power supply electrically coupled to said image sensor and said video processor board.

2. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

individual CMOS pixels within said array of CMOS pixels each includes an amplifier.

3. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said array of CMOS pixels includes a plurality of passive CMOS pixels.

4. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said array of CMOS pixels includes a plurality of passive CMOS pixels, and wherein individual passive CMOS pixels of said plurality of passive CMOS pixels each includes a photo diode for producing photoelectrically generated signals, and an access transistor communicating with said photo diode to control the release of said photoelectrically generated signals.

5. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said circuitry means for timing and control is placed on said first plane adjacent said image sensor.

6. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said circuitry means for timing and control is placed on a second plane spaced from and adjacent to said first plane near said distal end of said tubular portion.

7. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

a lens positioned at said distal end of said tubular portion and distally of said image sensor for producing a modified image on said image sensor.

8. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said power supply is a battery attached to said handle.

9. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 6, wherein:

said second plane is offset from and substantially parallel to said first plane.

10. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

means for providing light to said distal end of said tubular portion secured within said tubular portion.

11. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

a supplementary circuit board for digitally enhancing said image signal, said supplementary circuit board being electrically coupled to said video processor board.

12. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said image signal is carried by a single conductor to said video processor board.