Wireless camera coupling with rotatable coupling

• US 9,271,630 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2014
• Issued: 03/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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): WONG, ALLEN C
• Application Number:
  US14/227,709
• Publication Number:
  US 20140210977A1
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 348/65
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00006 of control signals
• 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 1/00064 Constructional details of the endoscope body
• 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 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• 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 2560/0276 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 23/51 Housings
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 : for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

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 endoscope is coupled to a camera where the endoscope may be rotated relative to the camera when coupled thereto. 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 comprising:

an endoscope having a shaft having a distal and a proximal end;

a first transceiver positioned on said endoscope, the first transceiver receiving wireless energy;

a controller having a second transceiver positioned thereon, the second transceiver wirelessly coupling to the first transceiver when brought in proximity thereto to transmit energy to the first transceiver;

an imager positioned on said endoscope, said imager coupled to and receiving electrical power from said first transceiver;

said imager generating image data; and

a light source positioned on said endoscope, said light source coupled to and receiving electrical power from said first transceiver such that the electrical power used by said light source to generate illuminating light is wirelessly transmitted from the second transmitter to the first transmitter;

said controller having a network connection and said image data is transmitted via said network connection.

2. The endoscope video system of claim 1 further comprising a storage accessible by said controller, and wherein the image data is saved on said storage.

3. The endoscope video system of claim 2 wherein said storage is coupled to said controller via the network connection.

4. The endoscope video system of claim 2 wherein said storage comprises a removable storage device.

5. The endoscope video system of claim 1 further comprising a memory device positioned on said endoscope and coupled to the first transceiver and wherein said memory device has endoscope parameter data and endoscope use history data stored thereon.

6. The endoscope video system of claim 5 wherein the endoscope parameter data and endoscope use history data is transmitted from said endoscope to said controller.

7. The endoscope video system of claim 6 wherein said controller generates modified endoscope use history data, which is transmitted to and saved on said memory device.

8. The endoscope video system of claim 1 wherein said imager is positioned at the distal end of the shaft.

9. The endoscope video system of claim 1 wherein said light source is positioned at the distal end of the shaft.

10. The endoscope video system of claim 1 further comprising a display coupled to said controller and displaying the image data.

11. The endoscope video system of claim 1 further comprising an energy storage device positioned on said endoscope and coupled to said first transceiver.