Reduced area imaging devices

• US 6,043,839 A
• Filed: 10/20/1998
• Issued: 03/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cellect LLC (Micro-Imaging Solutions, LLC (f/k/a Micro-Imaging Solutions, Inc.; f/k/a Micro-Medical Devices, Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Edwin L. Adair, Jeffrey L. Adair, Randall S. Adair
• Inventors: Adair, Edwin L., Adair, Randall S., Adair, Jeffrey L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rao, Andy
• Application Number:
  US09/175,685
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: 348/65, 348/71, 348/74, 348/76, 348/77, 348/78, 348/61, 348/376, 348/375, 600/108, 600/109, 600/113, 600/117
• US Class Current: 348/76
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00114 Electrical cables in or with an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00124 electrical, e.g. electrical plug-and-socket connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00137 End pieces at either end of the endoscope, e.g. caps, seals or forceps plugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/051 Details of CCD assembly
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0607 for annular illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 25/167 comprising optoelectronic devices, e.g. LED, photodiodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/3011 Impedance
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• 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

Abstract

A reduced area imaging device is provided for use in medical or dental instruments such as an endoscope. In one configuration of the imaging device, the image sensor is placed remote from the remaining circuitry. In another configuration, all of the circuitry to include the image sensor is placed in a stacked fashion at the same location. In a first embodiment of the invention, the entire imaging device can be placed at the distal tip of an endoscope. In a second embodiment, the image sensor is remote from the remaining circuitry according to the first configuration, and wherein a control box can be provided which communicates with the image sensor and is placed remotely from the endoscope. In yet another embodiment, the imaging device can be incorporated in the housing of a standard medical camera which is adapted for use with traditional rod lens endoscopes. In any of the embodiments, the image sensor may be placed alone on a first circuit board, or timing and control circuits may be included on the first circuit board containing the image sensor. One or more video processing boards can be stacked in a longitudinal fashion with respect to the first board, or the video processing boards may be placed in the control box.

Claims

1. A reduced area imaging device comprising:

an imager sensor lying in a first plane and including an array of CMOS pixels for receiving images thereon, said image sensor further including circuitry means on said first plane and coupled to said array of CMOS pixels for timing and control of said array of CMOS pixels, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal;

a pre-video conductor for transmitting said pre-video signal, said pre-video conductor having first and second ends, said first end communicating with said image sensor;

a first circuit board lying in a second plane and longitudinally aligned with said image sensor, said first circuit board being connected to said pre-video conductor at said second end thereof, said first circuit board including circuitry means for converting said pre-video signal to a post-video signal for direct reception by a standard video device;

a power supply electrically coupled with said image sensor for driving said array of pixels and said timing and control means, and electrically coupled to said first circuit board for driving said circuit board; and

a non-removable lens integral with said imaging device for focusing images on said image sensor.

2. A reduced area imaging device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said image sensor defines a profile area in said first plane, and said first circuit board being positioned so as not to extend substantially beyond said profile area.

3. A reduced area imaging device, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

a second circuit board electrically coupled with said first circuit board and said image sensor for enhancing said pre-video signal prior to reception by said first circuit board, said second circuit board being longitudinally aligned with said first circuit board and said image sensor so as not to extend substantially beyond said profile area.

4. A reduced area imaging device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said first and second planes are offset from and substantially parallel to one another.

5. A reduced area imaging device, as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

said second circuit board lies in a third plane which is offset from and extends substantially parallel to said first and second planes.

8. A reduced area imaging device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said array of CMOS pixels further includes:

an array of passive CMOS pixels, wherein individual passive CMOS pixels of said array of passive CMOS pixels each includes a photo diode for producing photoelectrically generated signals and an access transistor communicating with said photo diode to control the release of said photoelectrically generated signals.

6. A reduced area imaging device comprising:

an image sensor lying in a first plane and including an array of CMOS pixels for receiving images thereon, said image sensor further including circuitry means on said first plane and coupled to said array of CMOS pixels for timing and control of said array of CMOS pixels, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal;

a control box remote from said image sensor, said control box including circuitry means for receiving said pre-video signal from said image sensor, and for converting said pre-video signal to a post-video signal which may be received by a standard video device;

a power supply coupled to said control box and said image sensor for providing power thereto; and

a non-removable lens integral with said imaging device for focusing images on said image sensor.

7. A reduced area imaging device, as claimed in claim 6, wherein said control box further includes:

a supplementary circuit board for digitally enhancing the pre-video signal, said supplementary circuit board coupled to said circuitry means for receiving said pre-video signal and for converting said pre-video signal.

9. A reduced area imaging device comprising:

an array of CMOS pixels defining a profile area and lying in a first plane, said array of CMOS pixels for receiving images thereon;

a circuit board longitudinally aligned with and electrically coupled to said array of CMOS pixels, said circuit board lying in a second plane which is offset from said first plane and substantially parallel to said first plane, said circuit board including circuitry means for timing and control of said array of CMOS pixels, said timing and control means producing a pre-video signal, said circuit board further including circuitry means for receiving said pre-video signal from said timing and control means and converting said pre-video signal to a post-video output signal for direct reception by a video device;

a power supply electrically coupled to said array of said CMOS pixels and said circuit board; and

a non-removable lens integral with said imaging device for focusing images on said image sensor.

10. A reduced area imaging device, as claimed in claim 9 wherein:

said array of CMOS pixels includes an array of passive CMOS pixels.

11. A reduced area imaging device, as claimed in claim 9, further including:

a supplementary circuit board communicating with said array of CMOS pixels and said circuit board for enhancing said pre-video signal, said supplementary circuit board being longitudinally aligned with said array of CMOS pixels and said circuit board, and being positioned so as not to extend substantially beyond said profile area.

12. An endoscope with integral imaging capability for producing images to be viewed on a video device, said endoscope comprising:

a tubular portion including a distal end, a proximal end and a central passageway extending therethrough;

means for providing light to said distal end to illuminate a surgical site;

a CMOS image sensor lying in a first plane and positioned at said distal end of said tubular portion for receiving images of the surgical site, said CMOS image sensor defining a profile area, and said CMOS image sensor producing an image signal;

circuitry means electrically coupled to said CMOS image sensor for timing and control of said CMOS image sensor, said circuitry means for timing and control placed within said tubular portion;

a video processor board lying in a second plane spaced from and longitudinally aligned with said CMOS image sensor within said tubular portion and adjacent said distal end thereof and communicating with said CMOS image sensor to receive said image signal, said video processor board including circuitry means for processing said image signal and converting said image signal to a post-video signal for direct reception by the video device, said video processor board being positioned so as not to extend substantially beyond said profile area; and

a power supply electrically coupled to said CMOS image sensor and said video processor board.

13. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 12, wherein:

said CMOS image sensor includes an array of CMOS pixels, and wherein individual CMOS pixels within said array of CMOS pixels each includes an amplifier.

14. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 12, wherein:

said CMOS image sensor includes a plurality of passive CMOS pixels.

15. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 12, wherein:

said CMOS image sensor includes a plurality of passive CMOS pixels, and wherein individual passive CMOS pixels of said plurality of passive CMOS pixels each includes a photo diode for producing photoelectrically generated signals, and an access transistor communicating with said photo diode to control the release of said photoelectrically generated signals.

16. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 12, wherein:

said circuitry means for timing and control is placed on said first plane adjacent said CMOS image sensor.

17. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 12, wherein:

said circuitry means for timing and control is placed on said second plane adjacent said circuitry means for processing and converting.

18. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 12, further including:

a handle connected to said proximal end of said tubular portion for grasping by surgeon.

19. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 12, further including:

a lens positioned at said distal end of said tubular portion and distally of said CMOS image sensor for producing a modified image on said CMOS image sensor.

20. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 12, wherein:

said power supply is a battery attached to said handle.

21. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 12, wherein:

said second plane is offset from and substantially parallel to said first plane.

22. An endoscope comprising:

a tubular portion including a central passageway extending therethrough, a proximal end and a distal end;

a CMOS image sensor positioned at said distal end of said tubular portion for receiving images of a surgical site, said CMOS imager defined by an array of CMOS pixels and, said CMOS imager lying in a first plane;

circuitry means for timing and control of said CMOS image sensor placed adjacent to said CMOS image sensor on said first plane;

a control box remote from said tubular portion and coupled to said CMOS image sensor, said control box including circuitry means for receiving a pre-video signal from said CMOS image sensor, and for converting said pre-video signal to a post-video signal which may be received by a standard video device; and

a power supply coupled to said control box and said CMOS image sensor for providing power thereto.

23. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 22, wherein:

said power supply is located in said control box.

24. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 22, further including:

a handle connected to said proximal end of said tubular portion for grasping by a surgeon.

25. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 22, further including:

a supplementary circuit board for digitally enhancing said pre-video signal, said supplementary circuit board electrically coupled to said circuitry means for receiving and converting.

26. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 22, further including:

a lens positioned at said distal end of said tubular portion of sensor.

27. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 22, wherein:

said power supply is a battery attached to said handle.

31. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 22, wherein:

individual pixels within said array of CMOS pixels each include an amplifier.

32. An endoscope, as claimed in claim 22, wherein:

said array of CMOS pixels includes a plurality of passive CMOS pixels, and wherein individual passive CMOS pixels of said plurality of passive CMOS pixels each include a photo diode for producing photo electrically generated signals, and an access transistor communicating with said photo diode to control the release of said photo electrically generated signals.

28. A reduced area imaging device comprising:

an array of CMOS pixels defining a profile area and lying in a first plane, said array of said CMOS pixels for receiving images thereon;

a circuit board longitudinally aligned with and electrically coupled to said array of CMOS pixels, said circuit board lying in a second plane which is offset from said first plane and substantially parallel to said first plane, said circuit board including timing and control means for controlling the release of information from said array of CMOS pixels, said timing and control means producing a pre-video signal;

a control box remote from said array of said CMOS pixels and said circuit board, said control box including circuitry means for receiving said pre-video signal, and for converting said pre-video signal to a post-video signal which may be received by a standard video device;

a power supply coupled to said control box, said array of CMOS pixels and said timing and control means for providing power thereto; and

a non-removable lens integral with said imaging device for focusing images on said array of CMOS pixels.

29. A reduced area imaging device, as claimed in claim 28, wherein said array of CMOS pixels further includes:

an array of passive CMOS pixels, wherein individual passive CMOS pixels of said array of passive CMOS pixels each includes a photo diode for producing photoelectrically generated signals; and

an access transistor communicating with said photo diode to control the release of said photoelectrically generated signals.

30. A reduced area imaging device, as claimed in claim 28, wherein said array of CMOS pixels further includes:

an array of active CMOS pixels, wherein individual active CMOS pixels within said array of active CMOS pixels each includes an amplifier.