Endoscope reader

• US 7,289,139 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2002
• Issued: 10/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc (Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg)
• Original Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc (Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg)
• Inventors: Amling, Marc R., Chatenever, David
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, ALLEN C
• Application Number:
  US10/095,616
• Publication Number:
  US 20030174205A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,058 Days
• Field of Search: 348/61, 348/65
• US Class Current: 348/65
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0002 provided with data storages
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00029 externally powered, e.g. wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00055 for alerting the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00059 provided with identification means for the endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00062 provided with means for preventing overuse
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0276 Determining malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2484 Arrangements in relation to a camera or imaging device processing or control of video signals generated by an endoscope H04N23/60, H04N23/70
• 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 23/663 for controlling interchangeable camera parts based on electronic image sensor signals

Abstract

A system for automatically setting video signal processing parameters for an endoscopic video camera system based upon characteristics of an attached endoscope, with reduced EMI and improved inventory tracking, maintenance and quality assurance, and reducing the necessity for adjustment and alignment of the endoscope and camera to achieve the data transfer.

Claims

1. An endoscopic video system for communicating between an endoscope and a detachable camera head comprising:

a first transponder/transceiver affixed to the endoscope set to transmit radio frequency signals containing electronic representations of endoscope parameters and endoscope use history data and set to receive radio frequency signals containing electronic representations of modified endoscope use history data;

a second transponder/transceiver affixed to the detachable camera head set to transmit radio frequency signals containing the electronic representations of modified endoscope use history data, and set to receive radio frequency signals containing the electronic representations of endoscope parameters and endoscope use history data;

a memory device coupled to the first transponder/transceiver having memory locations for storing the electronic representations of the data contained in the radio frequency signals; and

a camera control unit, coupled to the camera head, for receiving and processing the electronic representations of endoscope parameters and endoscope use history data.

2. The endoscopic video system of claim 1 wherein the endoscope parameters comprise endoscope specification data, video system configuration data and maintenance requirements data.

3. The endoscopic video system of claim 1 wherein the camera control unit automatically adjusts its operational settings in accordance with the received electronic representations of endoscope parameters.

4. The endoscopic video system of claim 1 wherein the camera control unit automatically adjusts operational settings of other medical devices in accordance with the received electronic representations of endoscope parameters.

5. The endoscopic video system of claim 1 wherein the memory locations comprise:

write-protected memory locations; and

write-enabled memory locations.

6. The endoscopic video system of claim 5 wherein the electronic representations of endoscope parameters are stored in the write-protected memory locations.

7. The endoscopic video system of claim 5 wherein the electronic representations of endoscope use history data are stored in the write-enabled memory locations.

8. The endoscopic video system of claim 1 wherein the camera control unit, upon receiving the electronic representations of endoscope parameters and endoscope use history data, modifies at least one endoscope use history data value indicating that a detachable camera head has been attached to the endoscope, and providing electronic representations of modified endoscope use history data to the second transponder/transceiver for transmission to the first transponder/transceiver and storage in the memory device.

9. The endoscopic video system of claim 8 wherein the camera control unit comprises a timing means for determining a time interval that the camera head has been attached to the endoscope, and the timing means providing data representative of the time interval.

10. The endoscopic video system of claim 9 wherein the electronic representations of modified endoscope use history data is altered in accordance with the data representative of the time interval that the camera head is attached to the endoscope, and the camera control unit providing electronic representations of modified endoscope use history data to the second transponder/transceiver for transmission to the first transponder/transceiver and storage in the memory device.

11. The endoscopic video system of claim 8 wherein the camera head comprises a timing means for determining a time interval that the camera head has been attached to the endoscope, and the timing means providing data representative of the time interval.

12. The endoscopic video system of claim 1 wherein the camera control unit modifies the received electronic representations of endoscope use history data in accordance with current video system operational data, providing electronic representations of modified endoscope use history data to the second transponder/transceiver for transmission to the first transponder/transceiver and storage in the memory device;

wherein the current video system operational data comprises;

current camera head, camera control unit, and other medical equipment, serial numbers, model numbers, and software revision numbers, and endoscope performance data.

13. The endoscopic video system of calim 1 wherein said memory device is positioned in or on the endoscope.

14. A method of communicating endoscope parameters and use characteristics from an endoscope, having a memory device and a first transponder/transceiver coupled to the memory device, to a camera control unit, and communicating modified endoscope use characteristics from the camera control unit to the endoscope comprising the steps of:

storing a plurality of endoscope parameters and endoscope use characteristics in the memory device;

providing a camera head with a second transponder/transceiver;

coupling the second transponder/transceiver to the camera control unit;

retrieving the endoscope parameters and endoscope use characteristics from the memory device;

transmitting a first radio frequency signal containing the endoscope parameters and endoscope use characteristics from the first transponder/transceiver;

receiving the first radio frequency signal at the second transponder/transceiver;

transferring the endoscope parameters and endoscope use characteristics contained in the first radio frequency signal from the camera head to the camera control unit;

transferring modified endoscope use characteristics from the camera control unit to the camera head;

transmitting a second radio frequency signal containing the modified endoscope use characteristics from the second transponder/transceiver to the first transponder/transceiver;

receiving the second radio frequency signal containing the modified endoscope use characteristics; and

storing the modified endoscope use characteristics in the memory device memory locations.

15. The method according to claim 14 further comprising the steps of:

providing write-protected memory locations within the memory device; and

providing write-enabled memory locations within the memory device.

16. An endoscopic video system for communicating between an endoscope and a detachable camera head comprising:

a first transponder/transceiver affixed to the endoscope for transmitting and receiving first data;

a second transponder/transceiver affixed to the detachable camera head for transmitting and receiving second data; and

a memory device coupled to the first transponder/transceiver having memory locations for storing data.

17. The endoscopic video system according to claim 16 further comprising a camera control unit, coupled to the camera head, for receiving and processing data.

18. The endoscopic video system according to claim 17 wherein the camera control unit automatically adjusts its operational settings in accordance with the received data.

19. The endoscopic video system according to claim 17 wherein the camera control unit automatically adjusts operational settings of other medical equipment in accordance with the received data.

20. The endoscopic video system according to claim 17 wherein the memory locations comprise:

write-protected memory locations; and

write-enabled memory locations.

21. The endoscopic video system according to claim 20 further comprising a video display, connected to the camera control unit, for viewing by a user.

22. The endoscopic video system according to claim 21 wherein the user may manually actuate a visual indication to be displayed upon the video display indicating repair and maintenance of the endoscope is required.

23. The endoscopic video system according to claim 22 wherein the visual indication is stored in the write-protected memory locations.

24. The endoscopic video system according to claim 16 wherein the first data comprises endoscope parameters.

25. The endoscopic video system according to claim 16 wherein the first data comprises endoscope use history data.

26. The endoscopic video system according to claim 16 wherein the second data comprises modified endoscope use history data.

27. The endoscopic video system of claim 16 wherein said memory device is positioned in or on the endoscope.