Endoscopic visualization apparatus with different imaging systems

• US 7,108,657 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2003
• Issued: 09/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg
• Original Assignee: Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg
• Inventors: Storz, Karl Christian, Irion, Klaus M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P.
• Application Number:
  US10/674,454
• Publication Number:
  US 20040122290A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: 600/113, 600/111, 600/166, 600/173, 600/170, 600/171, 600/168, 600/110, 348/45, 348/76
• US Class Current: 600/110
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00181 for multiple fixed viewing angles A61B1/00193 takes precedence

Abstract

An endoscopic visualization apparatus has a first imaging system and at least one second imaging system, a first image field being covered by the first imaging system, and a second image field being covered by the second imaging system. The first imaging system and the second imaging system are arranged in a common housing. The first imaging system and the second imaging system are significantly different with regard to at least one optical parameter, and the first image field and the at least one second image field overlap one another only partially.

Claims

1. An endoscopic visualization apparatus, comprising:

a housing;

a first imaging system covering a first image field, said first imaging system being arranged in said housing and having a first electronic imager;

at least a second imaging system covering a second image field, said second imaging system being arranged in said housing and having a second electronic imager,

wherein said first imaging system and said second imaging system are significantly different with regard to at least one optical parameter, and wherein said first image field and said second image field overlap one another only partially, and

wherein a signal line for reading out and for the voltage supply of said imagers are jointly used by said first imager and said second imager, and wherein said first imager is provided with first connecting pads and said second imager is provided with second connecting pads, and wherein said first and second connecting pads are connected in a mirror-image fashion relative to one another and direct mutual contact is made between the first and second connecting pads.

2. The visualization apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first imaging system differs from said second imaging system with regard to a direction of view.

3. The visualization apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first imaging system has a first objective and said second imaging system has a second objective, and wherein said first objective differs significantly from said second objective with regard to at least one optical parameter.

4. The visualization apparatus of claim 3, wherein said first objective is assigned signed said first electronic imager and second objective is assigned said second electronic imager.

5. The visualization apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second imagers can be rotated about an axis transverse to an image recording surface of said imagers.

6. The visualization apparatus of claim 1, wherein said imaging systems are assigned at least one illuminating system which radiates light such that each of said image fields is illuminated.

7. The visualization apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a positioning device for automatically tracking said visualization apparatus as a function of a position of an operating instrument, said positioning device being such that said operating instrument always appears in one of said image fields.

8. The visualization apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is designed in the form of an endoscope, said two imaging systems being arranged in a distal end of a shaft of said endoscope.

9. The visualization apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is designed in the form of a video camera unit which has at least two imaging systems and which is fastened on a guide shaft for guiding an operating instrument.