Optical head assembly with dome, and device for use thereof

• US 7,662,094 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2003
• Issued: 02/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Iddan, Gavriel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker; John P
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith; Philip R
• Application Number:
  US10/437,436
• Publication Number:
  US 20030227547A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,470 Days
• Field of Search: 600/109, 600/129, 600/160, 600/179, 600175-177, 348/65, 348/340
• US Class Current: 600/176
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/051 Details of CCD assembly
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/273 for the upper alimentary canal, e.g. oesophagoscopes, gastroscopes
• 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 23/56 provided with illuminating means

Abstract

A device and system including an optical head assembly and a dome, and a method for use thereof. The optical head assembly includes an illumination portion and an imaging portion and is situated behind the dome. The dome may have an optical system integrated therein.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a single optical head assembly; and

a multi-sectional shelled dome to cover said optical head assembly, wherein the single optical head assembly comprises;

an illumination portion; and

an imaging portion,

the illumination portion comprising an illumination source and the imaging portion comprising an image sensor and a lens, wherein said illumination portion and said imaging portion face the same direction,

the multi-sectional shelled dome comprising;

an imaging dome portion to receive light reflected from an external object; and

an illumination dome portion distinct from said imaging dome portion to enable radiation of light towards the external object, and

wherein the imaging dome portion comprises a convex surface and is located at the center of the dome and the illumination dome portion comprises a flat surface, the imaging dome portion extending from the dome beyond the flat surface of the illumination portion; and

wherein the dome is spaced from the illumination source and the image sensor and lens by a gap.

2. The system according to claim 1 comprising an optical isolation element.

3. The system according to claim 2 wherein the optical isolation element is situated between the illumination portion and the imaging portion.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the illumination portion comprises white LEDs, color LEDs, laser diodes or any combination thereof.

5. The system according to claim 1 comprising an optical system, wherein the optical system is selected from a group comprising one or more lenses, one or more composite lens assemblies, one or more optical filters, one or more mirrors, one or more prisms or combination thereof.