Wireless camera coupling

• US 8,599,250 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2009
• Issued: 12/03/2013
• 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., Hoeg, Hans David, Chatenever, David, Ankner, Charles E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Etienne, Ario
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHIU, HO T
• Application Number:
  US12/533,545
• Publication Number:
  US 20100141744A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,586 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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 1/00034 rechargeable
• 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 1/00105 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00126 optical, e.g. for light supply cables
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00128 mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/045 Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0655 Control therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• 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 wirelessly powering various devices positioned on an endoscope, including, for example, a light source, various electronics including an imager and/or a memory device. The system is further provided such that video signal processing parameters are automatically set 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 endoscope video system for wirelessly powering an endoscope coupled to a detachable camera comprising:

an endoscope having a first transponder/transceiver positioned thereon, the first transponder/transceiver transmitting and receiving data and wireless energy;

a camera head comprising a first housing having a second transponder/transceiver positioned thereon, the second transponder/transceiver wirelessly coupling to the first transponder/transceiver when brought in proximity thereto to transmit energy;

an endoscope light source positioned on said endoscope, said endoscope light source coupled to said first transponder/transceiver and receiving electrical power from said first transponder/transceiver;

said endoscope light source generating illuminating light, which is transmitted to an area to be viewed;

an imager positioned on said endoscope, said imager generating image data representative of the area;

a memory positioned on said endoscope and having stored therein electronic representations of parameters and data specific to the endoscope;

wherein the camera head receives the image data and the parameters via the second transponder/transceiver from the first transponder/transceiver;

a camera control unit comprising a second housing, coupled to the camera head via a cable or wireless connection, said camera control unit identifying the endoscope in use based on the electronic representations of endoscope parameter and receiving and processing the image data.

2. The endoscope video system of claim 1 wherein said endoscope further comprises an energy storage device.

3. The endoscope video system of claim 2 wherein upon an interruption in the supply of electrical power from said first transponder/transceiver, said electrical storage device provides electrical power to said endoscope light source.

4. The endoscope video system of claim 3 wherein said energy storage device automatically begins re-charging upon receipt of electrical power from said first transponder/transceiver.

5. The endoscope video system of claim 1 wherein said memory device has endoscope use history data stored thereon.

6. The endoscope video system of claim 5 wherein said endoscope use history data stored is transmitted to said camera control unit and said camera control unit generates modified endoscope use history data, which is transmitted to and saved on said memory device.

7. The endoscope video system of claim 1 further comprising a display coupled to said camera control unit, said display presenting said image data to a user.

8. The endoscope video system of claim 1 further comprising a network connection coupled to said camera control unit, wherein said image data is transmitted via said network connection to a remote location for display and/or saving.

9. A method for wirelessly powering an endoscope coupled to a detachable camera comprising the steps of:

positioning a first transponder/transceiver on an endoscope, the first transponder/transceiver transmitting and receiving data and wireless energy;

positioning a second transponder/transceiver on a camera head having a first housing;

positioning an endoscope light source, an imager and a memory on the endoscope, the second transponder/transceiver wirelessly coupling to the first transponder/transceiver when brought in proximity thereto to transmit energy;

storing electronic representations of parameters and data specific to the endoscope therein the memory;

generating an image signal with the imager;

coupling the endoscope light source to the first transponder/transceiver;

wirelessly transmitting energy from the second transponder/transceiver to the first transponder/transceiver;

generating illuminating light with the endoscope light source with electrical power provided to the endoscope light source from the first transponder/transceiver;

illuminating an area to be viewed with the illuminating light;

generating an image data representative of the area with the imager;

wherein the camera head receives the image data and the parameters via the second transponder/transceiver from the first transponder/transceiver;

wherein a camera control unit having a second housing is coupled to the camera head via a cable or wireless connection, the camera control unit identifying the endoscope in use based on the electronic representations of endoscope parameters and receives and processes the image data.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of positioning an energy storage device on the endoscope and coupling the energy storage device to the first transponder/transceiver and the endoscope light source.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein upon an interruption in the supply of electrical power from the first transponder/transceiver, the electrical storage device provides electrical power to the endoscope light source.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the energy storage device automatically begins re-charging upon receipt of electrical power from the first transponder/transceiver.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the memory device has endoscope use history data stored thereon.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the endoscope use history data is transmitted to the camera control unit and the camera control unit generates modified endoscope use history data, which is transmitted to and saved on the memory device.

15. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of coupling a display to the camera control unit and presenting the image data on the display.

16. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of coupling the camera control unit to a network, wherein the image data is transmitted via the network connection to a remote location for display and/or saving.