Reduced area imaging devices utilizing selected charge integration periods

• US 6,982,740 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2001
• Issued: 01/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cellect LLC (Micro-Imaging Solutions, LLC (f/k/a Micro-Imaging Solutions, Inc.; f/k/a Micro-Medical Devices, Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Micro-Medical Devices, Inc.
• Inventors: Adair, Edwin L., Adair, Randall S., Adair, Jeffrey L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rao, Andy
• Application Number:
  US09/971,749
• Publication Number:
  US 20020080248A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,552 Days
• Field of Search: 348 65- 76, 600100-120
• US Class Current: 348/76
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/043 for fluorescence imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0607 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/53 Control of the integration time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/76 Addressed sensors, e.g. MOS or CMOS sensors

Abstract

A reduced area imaging device is provided which utilizes selected charge integration periods. Various configurations of the imaging device are provided which locate the elements of the imagine device at desired locations. Regardless of the particular arrangement or configuration of the imaging device, selected charge integration periods are incorporated. The imaging device can be defined as a CMOS-CID device wherein a user may select an appropriate integration period in order to enhance the viewed image to a desired level of brightness. Particularly in fluorescence guided endoscopy and fluorescence assisted surgery, the ability to vary and select particular charge integration periods improves these processes.

Claims

1. A reduced area imaging device comprising:

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

a first circuit board lying in a second plane and communicating with said image sensor by at least one pre-video conductor inner-connecting said image sensor and said first circuit board, said first circuit board including circuitry means for converting said pre-video signal to a post-video signal for reception by a standard video device;

a power supply 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 first circuit board; and

a time select switch electrically communicating with said first circuit board and remote from said first circuit board for selectively varying integration periods to produce an image of a desired brightness, said switch having a plurality of settings enabling selective control to produce the image of a desired brightness.

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

said array of pixels includes an array of CMOS pixels.

3. A 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.

5. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said array of pixels includes an array of CMOS pixels.

6. A device, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

a second circuit board electrically coupled with said circuitry means for receiving and for converting said pre-video signal, said second circuit board for enhancing said pre-video signal prior to reception by said circuitry means for receiving and converting.

4. A reduced area imaging device comprising:

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

a control box remote from the 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 time select switch electrically communicating with said circuitry means and remote from said first circuit board for receiving and for converting, said time select switch for selectively varying integration periods to produce an image of a desired brightness, said switch having a plurality of settings enabling selective control to produce the image of a desired brightness.

7. A reduced area imaging device comprising:

an image sensor lying in a first plane and including an array of pixels for receiving images thereon;

a first circuit board spaced from said image sensor and electrically communicating therewith, said first circuit board including circuitry means for timing and control of said array of CMOS pixels, said image sensor and said timing and control circuitry producing a pre-video signal said first circuit board further including circuitry means for converting said pre-video signal, to a post-video signal for reception by a standard video device;

a power supply electrically coupled with said image sensor and said first circuit board for providing power thereto; and

a time select switch electrically communicating with said first circuit board and remote from said first circuit board for selectively varying integration periods to produce an image of a desired brightness, said switch having a plurality of settings enabling selective control to produce the image of a desired brightness.

8. A device, as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

said array of pixels includes an array of CMOS pixels.

9. A device, as claimed in claim 7, further including:

a second circuit board electrically coupled with said first circuit board and said image sensor for enhancing said pre-video signal.

10. A reduced area imaging device comprising:

an image sensor lying in a first plane and including an array of pixels for receiving images thereon;

circuitry means electrically coupled to said array of pixels for timing and control of said array of pixels, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal;

a control box remote from said image sensor and said timing control means, 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 thereto; and

a time select switch electrically communicating with said circuitry means for receiving and for converting, said time select switch for selectively varying integration periods to produce an image of a desired brightness, said switch being remote from said first circuit board and having a plurality of settings enabling selective control to produce the image of a desired brightness.

11. A device, as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

said array of pixels includes an array of CMOS pixels.

12. A device, as claimed in claim 10, further including:

a second circuit board electrically coupled with said circuitry means for receiving and converting, said second circuit board for enhancing said pre-video signal.

13. A method of viewing an object with an imaging device, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an image sensor including an array of pixels, circuitry means coupled to said array of pixels for timing and control of said pixels, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal;

providing first 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;

viewing the object and determining a desired level of brightness to be viewed;

providing a time select switch remote from the image sensor and circuitry means; and

adjusting a charge integration period of the imager by manipulating time select switch to maximize desired brightness of the image.

14. A method, as claimed in claim 13, wherein:

said array of pixels includes an array of CMOS pixels.

15. A method, as claimed in claim 13, further including the step of:

providing second circuitry means coupled to said first circuitry means for enhancing said pre-video signal.