Reduced area imaging device incorporated within wireless endoscopic devices

• US 7,030,904 B2
• Filed: 08/13/2001
• Issued: 04/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1997
• 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:
  US09/929,531
• Publication Number:
  US 20010052930A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,709 Days
• Field of Search: 600100-130, 348 65- 76
• US Class Current: 348/76
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display

Abstract

A reduced area imaging device is provided for use in medical or dental instruments such as an endoscope. In a first embodiment of the endoscope, connections between imaging device elements and between a video display is achieved by hard-wired connections. In a second embodiment of the endoscope, wireless transmission is used for communications between imaging device components, and/or for transferring video ready signals to a video display. 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. The entire imaging device can be placed at the distal tip of an endoscope. Alternatively, the image sensor can be placed remote from the remaining circuitry according to the first configuration, and control box is used which communicates with the image sensor and is placed remotely from the endoscope. Further alternatively, 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 any of the configurations or arrangements, 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. The timing and control circuits and one or more video processing boards can be placed adjacent the image sensor in a tubular portion of the endoscope, in other areas within the endoscope, in the control box, or in combinations of these location.

Claims

1. A wireless endoscope for wirelessly transmitting image signals, said endoscope comprising:

a tubular portion including a distal end, a proximal end and a central passageway extending therethrough;

a handle connected to said proximal end of said tubular portion;

a CMOS image sensor positioned in said tubular portion adjacent said distal end thereof for receiving images of a surgical site, said image sensor producing an image signal;

said image sensor further including a CMOS pixel array incorporated in said image sensor for receiving images thereon;

circuitry means electrically coupled to said image sensor for timing and control of said image sensor;

said circuitry means for timing and control being placed adjacent said image sensor in said tubular portion;

video processing means electrically communicating with said image sensor for processing said image signal and converting said image signal to a post-video signal, said video processing means being separated from said CMOS imager;

a radio transceiver element mounted in said endoscope and electrically communicating with said video processing means for wirelessly transmitting the post-video signal;

a power supply mounted in said endoscope for powering said endoscope; and

a radio transceiver module placed remote from said endoscope for receiving said post-video signal and for electrically transferring said post video signal to a video display for viewing video images produced by the video display.

2. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said wireless transmitting by said radio transceiver element is conducted by a Bluetooth communications standard.

3. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said wireless transmitting by said radio transceiver element is conducted by an IEEE 802.15.13 communications standard.

4. A device, as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said circuitry means for timing and control is placed on a plane along with said image sensor.

5. A device, as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said video processing means is placed adjacent said image sensor in said tubular portion.

6. A device, as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said video processing means is placed adjacent said image sensor in said tubular portion and longitudinally aligned with said image sensor.

7. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said video processing means is placed in said handle.

8. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said image sensor is placed on a first plane, and said circuitry means for timing and control and said video processing means are placed on a second plane.

9. A device, as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

said second plane is longitudinally aligned with said first plane in said tubular portion.

10. A device, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

a supplementary circuit board electrically coupled to said image sensor for enhancing said pre-video signal prior to reception by said video processing board.

11. A device, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

at least one light fiber positioned around a periphery of said distal end for illuminating a surgical site.

12. A device, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

a source of light mounted in said endoscope; and

at least one light fiber communicating with said source of light and positioned in said tubular portion for illuminating a surgical site.

13. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said power source includes a rechargeable battery.

14. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said power source includes a removable and rechargeable battery, said battery adapted for recharge with a remote charging circuit.

15. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said power source and said radio transceiver element are mounted in a common housing which is removable with respect to said endoscope for selective recharge or replacement of said power source and for selective replacement of said radio transceiver element upon becoming unserviceable.

16. A wireless endoscope for wirelessly transmitting image signals, said endoscope comprising:

a tubular portion including a distal end, a proximal end and a central passageway extending there through;

a handle connected to said proximal end of said tubular portion;

a CMOS image sensor positioned in said tubular portion for receiving images of a surgical site, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal;

said image sensor further includes a pixel array of CMOS pixels for receiving images thereon;

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

a radio transceiver element mounted in said endoscope and electrically communicating with said image sensor for wirelessly transmitting the pre-video signal;

a power supply mounted in said endoscope for powering said endoscope;

a control box placed remote from said endoscope, said control box including a radio transceiver module for receiving said pre-video signal and for electrically transferring said pre-video signal for further processing; and

video processing means mounted in said control box and electrically coupled to said radio transceiver module for processing said pre-video signal and converting said pre-video signal to a post-video signal, said video processing means communicating with a video display for viewing video images produced by said video display.

17. A device, as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

said wireless transmitting by said radio transceiver element is conducted by a Bluetooth communications standard.

18. A device, as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

said wireless transmitting by said radio transceiver element is conducted by an IEEE 802.15.13 communications standard.

19. A device, as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

said control box communicates with said video display by a hard wired connection.

20. A device, as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

said control box wirelessly communicates with said video display by secondary wireless transmission means.

21. A device, as claimed in claim 20, wherein:

said secondary wireless transmission means includes a secondary wireless transmitter mounted in said control box and electrically communicating with said video processing means for wirelessly transmitting the post video signal, and a secondary wireless receiver placed remote from said control box for receiving the post video signal, and electrically transferring the post video signal directly to the video display.

22. A device, as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

said circuitry means for timing and control is placed on a plane along with said image sensor.

23. A device, as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

said image sensor is placed on a first plane, and said circuitry means for timing and control is placed on a second plane.

24. A device, as claimed in claim 23, wherein:

said second plane is longitudinally aligned with said first plane in said tubular portion.

25. A device, as claimed in claim 16, further including:

a supplementary circuit board electrically coupled to said image sensor for enhancing said pre-video signal prior to reception by said video processing board.

26. A device, as claimed in claim 16, further including:

at least one light fiber positioned around a periphery of said distal end for illuminating a surgical site.

27. A device, as claimed in claim 16, further including:

a source of light mounted in said endoscope; and

at least one light fiber communicating with said source of light and positioned in said tubular portion for illuminating a surgical site.

28. A device, as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

said power source includes a rechargeable battery.

29. A device, as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

said power source includes a removable and rechargeable battery, said battery adapted for recharge with a remote charging circuit.

30. A device, as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

said power source and said radio transceiver element are mounted in a common housing which is removable with respect to said endoscope for selective recharge or replacement of said power source and for selective replacement of said radio transceiver element upon becoming unserviceable.

31. A wireless endoscope for wirelessly transmitting image signals, said endoscope comprising:

a tubular portion including a distal end, a proximal end and a central passageway extending there through;

a handle connected to said proximal end of said tubular portion;

a CMOS image sensor positioned in said tubular portion for receiving images of a surgical site, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal;

said image sensor further including a pixel array of CMOS pixels incorporated in said image sensor for receiving images thereon;

a radio transceiver element mounted in said endoscope and electrically communicating with said image sensor for wirelessly transmitting the pre-video signal;

a power supply mounted in said endoscope for powering said endoscope;

a control box placed remote from said endoscope, said control box including a radio transceiver module for receiving said pre-video signal and for electrically transferring said pre-video signal for further processing;

timing and control circuitry means mounted in said control box and electrically coupled to said radio transceiver module for producing control signals to control functioning of said image sensor, said radio transceiver module wirelessly transmitting said control signals to said radio transceiver element and said radio transceiver element receiving said control signals and transferring the control signals to the image sensor; and

video processing means mounted in said control box and electrically coupled to said radio transceiver module for processing said pre-video signal and converting said pre-video signal to a post-video signal, said video processing means communicating with a video display for viewing video images produced by said video display.

32. A device, as claimed in claim 31, wherein:

said wireless transmitting between said radio transceiver element and said radio transceiver radio module is conducted by a Bluetooth communications standard.

33. A device, as claimed in claim 31, wherein:

said wireless transmitting between said radio transceiver element and said transceiver radio module is conducted by an IEEE 802.15.13 communications standard.

34. A device, as claimed in claim 31, wherein:

said control box communicates with said video display by a hard wired connection.

35. A device, as claimed in claim 31, wherein:

said control box wirelessly communicates with said video display by secondary wireless transmission means.

36. A device, as claimed in claim 31, wherein:

said secondary wireless transmission means includes a secondary wireless transmitter mounted in said control box and electrically communicating with said video processing means for wirelessly transmitting the post video signal, and a secondary wireless receiver placed remote from said control box for receiving the post video signal, and electrically transferring the post video signal directly to the video display.