JP2022000173A - Medical borescope, and method and system, related to the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a medical borescope system with high portability, which eliminates the need for an external light source or large-scale video image processing equipment.SOLUTION: A medical borescope system of the present invention comprises: a handle; a tube which is extended from the handle, which includes a non-conducting material and which is impervious to visible light; and a chip assembly which is arranged at the tip of the tube and which is equipped with an image sensor constituted to take an image through the tip of the tube.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12A

Description

Cross-reference to related applications This application was filed on July 2, 2014 and is entitled "PORTABLE SCOPE FOR MEDICAL PROCE DURES". This is a partial continuation of US Patent Application No. 14/790977, filed July 2, 2015, entitled "BORESCOPES AND RELATED METHODS AND SYSTEMS". Each of the above applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Fields Embodiments of the present invention may include, for example, laparoscopy, endoscopy, other related medical borescope examinations, and other industrial applications such as engine, turbine, or building examinations. Regarding borescope technology.

Borescope technology has been applied to the medical field for many years. For example, both laparoscopy and endoscopy involve a healthcare professional inserting a borescope into a patient. The borescope allows the doctor to observe the patient's internal organs without exposing the organs to the open air by surgery.

In a conventional laparoscopic system, a laparoscope with a rod lens tube and a handle body connects to a processing stack used to process the image data received from the laparoscope. The rod lens tube is the part of the laparoscope that is inserted into the patient's abdominal cavity. High-intensity light is introduced into the lens and illuminates the tissue. The light reflected from the surface of the tissue returns through the rod lens and is transmitted to the camera that captures the image, and the image is wire-transmitted to the image processing equipment in the equipment stack.

As mentioned above, conventional laparoscopic systems have some drawbacks. For example, a laparoscopic system requires a large stack to generate light and process video images. The light is typically a bright xenon light source delivered to the laparoscope via a fiber optic cable. Fiber optic cables are fragile and can get in the way of your doctor. In addition, high-intensity light sources can be extremely hot and, if poorly monitored, can burn the patient or even ignite the drapes that cover the patient. In addition, the light source may require frequent white balance adjustments as the color or intensity changes with each setting or over time. In addition, rod lenses are fragile and therefore use is limited to specific conditions and / or require expensive repair or replacement. In fact, a complete secondary industry is evolving, with a focus on repairing broken rod lens tubes.

The embodiments disclosed herein provide healthcare professionals with a highly portable medical borescope system (eg, a laparoscopic system) that eliminates the need for external light sources or large video image processing equipment. It may include systems, methods, and devices configured as such. Although preferred embodiments may be best suited for use in the medical field, it is contemplated that various other fields may benefit from the present disclosure. For example, the various embodiments disclosed herein may have industrial applications such as aircraft engine, other engine and / or turbine inspection and / or maintenance, building inspection, tank inspection, monitoring, forensics, and the like. .. Many such uses, such as many medical uses, include the visual examination of potentially cluttered areas and / or remote access points, and thus the portability and / or disposable features disclosed herein. Can be particularly useful in connection with various disciplines and uses of both medical and non-medical properties.

Some embodiments disclosed herein may provide a laparoscopic body suitable for disposable or single use or limited number of uses (eg, 10 uses). In some such embodiments, the system may be configured to force a disposable. For example, some embodiments may be configured to track usage data, such as, for example, the duration of operation and / or the number of times the borescope is turned on. In some such embodiments, the system is configured to invalidate or modify the operating and / or control parameters of the borescope in response to determining that the operating parameters or thresholds have been exceeded. obtain.

In some embodiments, the dongle may be used to query the borescope for specific data that may be stored in the borescope, such as type identification data or calibration data. The dongle can then be configured to change certain operating or control parameters based on the data received from the borescope. For example, a dongle is used to use the data received from the borescope to adjust the display characteristics of the image produced by the borescope, which the clinician receives from lens differences and / or different borescopes. It may be possible to see images of the same or similar quality regardless of the difference in LED output that may be possible. In this way, a single dongle can also be used with a variety of different borescopes.

In some embodiments, dongles and / or borescopes are additionally or alternatives used to provide data to government agencies, for example, similar to the use of "black boxes" in the context of the aviation industry. It may be configured to acquire and store the usage data to be obtained. One or more sensors may be placed at the tip of the borescope or elsewhere. Such sensors can be used to receive various data such as temperature, pressure, velocity, image, orientation, etc. that can be used to reproduce a particular aspect of a medical procedure. For example, in some embodiments, such data may be tracked intermittently throughout or throughout the procedure. In other embodiments, specific events, especially unexpected events, can trigger the collection of such data.

In some embodiments, the dongle and / or borescope may be provided with a clock and / or timer. This clock / timer can be used to correlate specific usage data with date stamps. In this way, certain aspects of a medical procedure may be correlated with use data to reproduce a particular aspect of the procedure and allow tracking of the particular time or time in which it occurred. In embodiments where the borescope contains type identification data, this data is stored and linked to the usage data so that it can be determined which borescope used with the particular dongle is associated with the particular usage dataset. be able to.

The system can also include a portable image processing dongle that communicates with the laparoscope. The dongle outputs the video image to the display. Dongles use common display connectors, such as HDMI®, USB, or Lightning® connectors, to attach a non-dedicated display or to connect a dedicated display via a general purpose connector. Can be prepared.

In some embodiments, the mobility and / or ease of the laparoscope is achieved by placing the LED and image sensor within the body of the laparoscope (ie, within a portion of the laparoscope that is placed in the sterile field of the patient). Disposability can be realized. For example, some embodiments include a medical borescope tube having a first tube end and a second tube end. The first tube end may be distal to the handle body and the second tube end may communicate with the handle body. A light source and an image sensor may be placed at the end of the first tube. The power is connected to the light source and the image sensor. The data link may connect the image sensor to the image processor. The image processor may be located within a dongle connected to the handle body via flexible wires.

In at least one alternative embodiment, instead of communicating with the dongle, a mobile computing device such as a tablet or mobile phone may communicate with the handle body, for example via a wired cable and / or a wireless communication link. can. In this way, the mobile computing device can process the image data and provide a display for viewing the processed data. Mobile computing devices may also provide additional general computational capabilities for medical data sharing and image data analysis.

As an additional example, some implementations may include methods for processing image data received from an image sensor located within the tip of a medical borescope device. The method is a step of serializing the image data received from the image sensor, or otherwise receiving and / or processing the image data from the image sensor, wherein the image sensor is the first of the medical borescope tubes. It may include steps that may be placed at the end of one. The method may further include transmitting image data (in some embodiments, serialized image data) to the second end of the medical borescope tube via the medical borescope tube. Additionally, the method can include deserializing image data in an image processor that may be located within a dongle that communicates with the image sensor, or otherwise process and / or receive. The method also uses an image processor to RGB the image data in steps of interpolating colors from the image data, correcting saturation, filtering to remove noise, gamma coding, and / or. May include the step of converting from to YUV.

In some embodiments, the image processor (eg, in a dongle) comprises a white balance adjustment module. The white balance adjustment module can set the white balance based on the color spectrum of the LED at the tip of the borescope. Therefore, the image processing may be pre-calibrated at the manufacturing stage, thereby eliminating the need for the user to adjust the white balance each time it is used.

In a preferred embodiment, the borescope may include a fixed lens pre-focused at the desired depth of field. A fixed lens can be formed by placing the lens at the distal end of the borescope at a fixed distance just distal to the sensor. The fixed lens and image sensor at the distal end can be pre-focused, eliminating the need for the physician to focus the lens. A pre-focused, pre-calibrated white balance fixed lens allows physicians to connect the borescope to a monitor for high quality imaging with minimal technical assistance or adjustment.

In one example of a medical borescope device according to some embodiments, the device may comprise a tube comprising a first tube end and a second tube end opposite the first tube end. The handle body can be coupled to the tube. A light source, such as a light emitting diode, may be disposed adjacent to the first tube end and configured to emit light at the first tube end. The device may further include an image sensor located adjacent to the first tube end and a power source such as a battery that may be configured to power at least one of the light source and the image sensor. In some embodiments, batteries or other power sources may be used to power light sources, image sensors, and / or other components of the device that require power.

The data communication link can be coupled with the image sensor. The device may further include a dongle with an image processor configured to receive image data from the image sensor. This allows the device to be combined with the standard display of a portable computing device, thereby reducing costs and increasing the mobility / portability of the imaging system. In some embodiments, the dongle can be equipped with a general, general purpose, and / or non-customized display connector, such as HDMI® or USB, thereby a mobile general purpose computing device. A general, non-customized, non-dedicated display, such as a display from, may be used to allow the image from the device to be displayed. Thus, in some embodiments, the dongle is configured to be coupled with a mobile general purpose computing device so that the display of such device can be used to display images from the device. In some embodiments, the power source can be part of a dongle.

In some embodiments, the first tube end is distal to the handle body and the second tube end is coupled to the handle body. In some embodiments, the dongle may or may be coupled to the handle body. Thus, in some embodiments, especially disposable embodiments, the dongle may be configured to be removed from the device and attached to the new device after discarding the original device or at least a portion of the original device. However, in other embodiments, the dongle may be disposable with the rest of the device, or at least with the rest of the disposable part of the device.

Some embodiments may further comprise a flexible wire connector for connecting the dongle to the handle body. Alternatively, the dongle may be electrically coupled directly to the handle body or another part of the device without intervening wires. For example, in some embodiments, the dongle can be plugged into the handle body or another part of the device. Alternatively, the dongle may be wirelessly coupled to the device.

In some embodiments, the device may comprise an advanced assembly that may include a printed circuit board. In some such embodiments, the image sensor may be located on the printed circuit board or may be coupled to the printed circuit board. In some embodiments, the light sources may be spaced apart from the circuit board. Thus, some such embodiments may include spacer mounts configured to dispose the light source at intervals from the circuit board. In some embodiments, the spacer mount itself may include a printed circuit board. Alternatively, the spacer mount may be configured only to place the light source at a distance from the circuit board, and the light source may be coupled to another circuit board by other means.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the medical borescope device may be disposable. In some such embodiments, the medical borescope device is configured to limit at least one of the duration and number of uses of the medical borescope device to a preset value. May be good. This can be achieved, for example, by recording at least one of the period of use and the number of times of use in a flash memory component or another such non-volatile memory component located within the medical borescope device. In some embodiments, the memory component may be located within the tip assembly of the device, which may be removable from the rest of the device. In some such embodiments, the memory components may be located on a printed circuit board located within the tip assembly.

In one example of a medical borescope system according to some embodiments, the system may comprise a medical borescope. The medical borescope may include a handle body coupled to a tube and a light source located adjacent to the first tube end and configured to emit light at the first tube end. The borescope may further include an image sensor located adjacent to the first tube end and a data communication link coupled to the image sensor.

The system may further comprise a mobile general purpose computing device such as a mobile phone, tablet, or laptop computer with a visual display device coupled to a medical borescope. A mobile general purpose computing device may include an image processor configured to receive image data from a borescope image sensor. The visual display device of a mobile general purpose computing device may be configured to display information received from an image processor.

In one example of a method for processing image data received from an image sensor placed in a medical borescope device according to some embodiments, the method is from an image sensor placed in the medical borescope device. It may include a step of receiving image data. The image data may be transmitted to an image processor, which may be located in either a dongle coupled to a medical borescope device or a mobile general purpose computing device. The image data is then processed using an image processor and the resulting processed image data can be transmitted from the image processor to the visual display device.

Some implementations may further include the step of disposing of the medical borescope device, or the step of disposing of at least a portion of the device. Thus, as mentioned above, some embodiments may be specifically configured to be used only once or for a given number of times and / or for a given period of time. In some such embodiments, the second medical borescope device is coupled to either a dongle or a mobile general purpose computing device after disposal of the first device or at least a portion of the first device. May be. In some implementations and embodiments, the original medical borescope device and the second medical borescope device both have at least one of the period and number of uses of the medical borescope device. It may be configured to limit to a preset value. Thus, in some such embodiments and implementations, the memory component may be configured to store the on / off and / or usage time of the cycle associated with the device, the device being a threshold. It may be configured to send a command to stop the operation of the device or limit the use of the device when it detects the number of times and / or the time of use of the device.

In another example of a medical borescope system according to some embodiments, the system comprises a tube comprising a first tube end and a second tube end opposite the first tube end, and a first. It comprises a medical borescope with a light source located adjacent to the tube end and configured to emit light at the first tube end and an image sensor located adjacent to the first tube end. .. The system can further include a data communication link coupled to the image sensor and a dongle with an image processor configured to receive image data from the image sensor. The dongle may be removable to the medical borescope so that the dongle can be attached to a plurality of different medical borescopes. The dongle is part of the reception and detection of borescope-specific parameter data, such as calibration data associated with the medical borescope and / or at least one of the serial numbers and model numbers associated with the medical borescope. It may be further configured to do at least one. It is preferable that the parameter data specific to the bore scope is stored in the medical bore scope and includes data specific to the medical bore scope.

In some embodiments, at least some of the medical borescope devices are disposable. Some such embodiments are configured to determine at least one of the duration and number of uses of the medical borescope device in order to force the disposal of at least a portion of the medical borescope device. Can be done. In some such embodiments, the medical borescope device is used and used by using a dongle to detect at least one of the period of use and the number of uses. It may be configured to determine at least one of the times. In some such embodiments, the dongle disables the medical borescope device, sounds a warning, or gives a visual warning when it detects the use of the medical borescope device beyond the threshold. By issuing at least one of issuing and transmitting a warning signal, it may be configured to limit at least one of the duration and number of uses of the medical borescope device to a threshold.

In another example of a method for medical imaging with some embodiments, the method may include the step of detachably coupling the dongle to a first medical borescope device. The first medical borescope device is disposable and may contain borescope data stored in the memory component of the first medical borescope device. The method may further include receiving at least a portion of the borescope data with a dongle from the first medical borescope device. In some implementations, all of the borescope data may be sent to the dongle.

The method may further include adjusting the operating parameters of the first medical borescope device using at least a portion of the dongle and borescope data. The image data may also be received by the dongle from an image sensor located in the first medical borescope device, or may be processed by the dongle using an image processor located in the dongle. The first medical borescope device may then be discarded so that the dongle can be coupled to the second medical borescope device. The second medical borescope device may also contain borescope data stored in the memory component of the second medical borescope device. The borescope data of the second medical borescope device may be different from the borescope data of the first medical borescope apparatus.

In some such implementations, the two medical borescope devices can be distinguished from each other using their respective borescope data. Therefore, in some implementations, the borescope data of the first medical borescope device contains information specific to the first medical borescope apparatus, and the borescope data of the second medical borescope apparatus. May contain information specific to the second medical borescope device. The borescope data of the first medical borescope device includes, for example, type identification data relating to the first medical borescope, and the borescope data of the second medical borescope apparatus includes the second medical bore. It may contain type identification data about the scope. Alternatively or additionally, the borescope data of the first medical borescope device contains the calibration data for the first medical borescope, and the borescope data of the second medical borescope device is the second. May include calibration data for medical borescopes of.

Some embodiments may further include recording usage data associated with a second medical borescope device. In some such embodiments, the dongle can be used to process usage data to determine if the second medical borescope device has exceeded the threshold usage parameter, a second medical treatment. If it detects that the use of the medical borescope device has exceeded the threshold usage parameter, the dongle will disable the second medical borescope device, make a beep, give a visual warning, And can be used to do at least one of transmitting a warning signal.

In a particular example of a method for retrieving and storing usage data from a medical borescope in some embodiments, the method is a second tube end opposite the first tube end. An image of a tube including a tube end, a light source arranged adjacent to the first tube end and configured to emit light at the first tube end, and an image arranged adjacent to the first tube end. It may include the step of obtaining a medical borescope with a sensor. The method further comprises coupling the medical borescope with a dongle comprising an image processor configured to receive image data from an image sensor. Usage data from the medical borescope during a medical procedure may be stored in the dongle, after which the dongle may be removed from the medical borescope. The usage data may then be accessed, for example, transferred to another computer or system to obtain information about the use of the medical borescope during the medical procedure, and / or the data will be accessed later. It may be stored in the database in case.

In some implementations, the dongle may have a memory component. In some such implementations, the step of storing usage data may include the step of storing usage data in a memory component. In other implementations, the medical borescope may include a memory component. In some such implementations, the step of storing usage data may include the step of storing usage data in a memory component.

Usage data is associated, for example, with the duration of the medical procedure, images associated with unexpected events during the medical procedure, time stamps associated with the medical procedure, temperature measurements associated with the medical procedure, and medical borescope. It may include one or more of the power cycle counters given.

Some implementations may further include the step of initiating at least one of a clock and a counter at the start of a medical procedure with a medical borescope. Some such embodiments include sensing data such as image data, temperature data, velocity data, directional data, etc. acquired during a medical procedure and at least one from at least one of a clock and a counter. It may include steps to correlate with the time stamp.

Some implementations may further include associating the usage data with the type identification data associated with the medical borescope. In some implementations, the type identification data may include at least one of the serial number and model number associated with the medical borescope.

Further features and advantages of the exemplary implementations of the invention are described in the following description, the description of which will reveal some of them, or may be understood by implementing such exemplary implementations. The features and advantages of such implementations are realized and available by the instruments and combinations specifically noted in the appended claims. These features and other features will be more fully apparent from the claims and attachments below, or may be understood by the implementation of such exemplary implementations shown below. In addition, the features, structures, steps, or properties disclosed herein in connection with one embodiment can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more alternative embodiments.

The invention briefly described above will be described in more detail by reference to the specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings to illustrate how the above and other advantages and features of the invention may be obtained. do. These drawings show only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore more specific and using the accompanying drawings with the understanding that they do not limit the scope of the invention. The invention will be described and described in detail.

Explanatory drawing of the laparoscopic technique according to one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the laparoscope by one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows another embodiment of a laparoscope. The figure which shows the medical borescope apparatus which has a removable borescope tube by another embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows one Embodiment of a replaceable borescope tube. The figure which shows another embodiment of the exchangeable borescope tube. The figure which shows one embodiment of the interchangeable borescope tube connected to the handle body. Exploded view of an assembly configured to be located at the tip of a borescope tube and / or to form the tip of a borescope tube according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the tip of the borescope tube shown in FIG. 6A. The figure which shows the other embodiment of the tip of the borescope tube by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows one Embodiment of the laparoscope which has a tip which can move a joint. The figure which shows a series of steps in the method for performing the embodiment of this invention. Exploded view of another embodiment of the tip assembly configured to be located within the tip of the borescope tube and / or to form the tip of the borescope tube. Another exploded view of the tip assembly of FIG. 10A. Perspective view of the handle body of the borescope system according to another embodiment. 11A is a side elevation view of the handle body of FIG. 11A. Perspective view of the borescope system according to another alternative embodiment. FIG. 12A is an enlarged view of the tip of the borescope of the borescope system shown in FIG. 12A. A flow chart showing an example of a method for using a borescope system with some implementation forms.

The embodiments disclosed herein are highly portable medical borescope systems (eg, laparoscopes or endoscopes) that can eliminate the need for external light sources or large and / or customized video image processing equipment. Mirror systems) may include systems, methods, and devices configured to provide medical personnel. Some embodiments may comprise a laparoscopic body suitable for disposable or single use or limited use (eg, 10 uses). In some embodiments, the system may further comprise a portable image processing dongle that communicates with the laparoscope. The dongle can output a video image to the display. The dongle has one or more common display connectors, such as HDMI®, USB, and / or Lightning Connector, to attach a non-dedicated display or to connect a dedicated display via a general purpose connector. Can include.

By placing the LED and image sensor within the body of the laparoscope (ie, within a portion of the laparoscope that is placed in the patient's sterile field), the mobility and / or ease of disposal of the laparoscope is achieved.

Accordingly, the implementations disclosed herein allow healthcare professionals to utilize medical borescope technology in a variety of different locations, including the battlefield. Additionally, some implementations allow healthcare professionals to efficiently perform a variety of different medical borescope procedures using a single medical borescope system. For example, healthcare professionals can perform both endoscopic and laparoscopic procedures using the same medical borescope system. Thus, some implementations provide significant benefits in Third World countries and other countries with inadequate medical services by providing low cost and highly portable medical borescope systems. Can be.

In addition, some implementations can be easily incorporated into a variety of different medical systems. For example, many traditional operating rooms are equipped with a highly integrated system that only communicates with medical devices from a single manufacturer or group of manufacturers. In contrast, some embodiments disclosed herein perform the required image processing, such as HDMI®, VGA, USB, DISPLAY PORT, MINI DISPLAY PORT and other common protocols. Can provide communication with a single dongle device, which provides an output port to communicate over a variety of different general purpose protocols. Therefore, depending on some implementations, the medical borescope system may be a variety of conventional devices such as standard high-definition televisions, tablet computers, desktop computers, or other display devices with commonly used communication ports. Can communicate with.

FIG. 1 shows a description of a laparoscopic procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 1 shows a laparoscopic procedure performed on a patient 140 using one implementation of the laparoscopic system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the laparoscope 110 is inserted into the port 150 in the abdomen of the patient 140. The laparoscope 110 communicates with the dongle 120, which transmits image data to the television display 130. The transmitted image data may include information received from the laparoscope 110 inserted into the abdomen of the patient 140.

In at least one embodiment, the dongle 120 can include one or more common output ports. For example, the dongle 120 can communicate with the television display 130 via the HDMI® port. Therefore, the television display 130 does not have to be a specially designed component and may be a ready-made television set. Similarly, the dongle 120 can be equipped with a general computer input / output port such as a USB port. Therefore, the dongle 120 can communicate with an external computing device via the USB port. Therefore, the dongle 120 can provide a communication port that communicates with a general-purpose computer or a mobile device such as a tablet or smartphone and does not require a dedicated processing stack.

In addition, the dongle 120 can include a built-in processing unit. In at least one implementation, the built-in processing unit may include a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller, a programmable integrated circuit, and / or other types of processing units. The processing unit may be configured to receive image data from the laparoscope 110 and perform various processing functions on the image data. For example, the processing unit can format the image data into a variety of video and image formats that can be read by a device that can be connected to the dongle 120 through various ports in the dongle.

The processing unit may also be configured to perform various image processing tasks on the received image data. For example, the processing unit can perform color interpolation operations, saturation and correction operations, noise filtering, gamma correction, and other similar image processing functions on the received image data.

In one embodiment, the processing unit performs white balance adjustment. White balance may be precalibrated based on the known light spectrum of the LEDs used in the borescope. The processing unit may also have one or more buttons for user-controlled white balance, exposure, gain, zoom, or macro settings.

In some embodiments, the processing unit may also include a user interface (UI) module for generating display information to be transmitted to the display. For example, one or more of the borescope settings can be displayed as an image on the display so that the user can review and / or change the settings. By generating a UI from the processing unit, video images can be displayed on a general purpose TV or monitor.

As shown in FIG. 1, some embodiments may include a medical borescope system that is highly mobile and highly compatible with commonly available devices. For example, the implementation of the medical borescope system shown in FIG. 1 is capable of communicating with a standard television display and is required, as opposed to requiring a customized medical room containing a dedicated processing stack, for example. Only small, easily portable processing dongles. Therefore, one of ordinary skill in the art should understand the benefits that such a system can provide to medically poor areas and field hospitals where expensive and heavy equipment is not readily accessible.

In some embodiments, the laparoscope can be configured not to connect to an external light source. Alternatively, a light source for the laparoscopic system 100 may be located within the laparoscope 110. In some such embodiments, a light source can be placed at the distal end of the laparoscope 110 to directly illuminate the patient's tissue. In some embodiments, lighting can be provided without the use of light pipes or fiber optics, thus reducing the complexity of the lighting system and avoiding light diffusion.

Referring to the following drawings, FIG. 2 shows a laparoscopic system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated laparoscopic system 100 includes a laparoscope 110 and a dongle 120. The illustrated laparoscope 110 further comprises a borescope tube 210 connected to the handle body 200. The handle body 200 may include one or more input components 212a, 212b. Input components 212a, 212b can be used by healthcare professionals to adjust various attributes of received image data in real time. For example, healthcare professionals can operate white balance, focus, or zoom using slide switches or knobs 212a, 212b located on the handle body 200 for easy access. In another embodiment, the laparoscope 110 has no user-operated mechanism (eg, no button), which reduces the cost and complexity of cleaning and sterilization. In this embodiment, various embodiments of the device can be controlled by the processing unit.

In some embodiments, the handle 200 has a shape, feature or shape that allows the user to easily determine which side of the device is on top and which side is on the bottom, for example by touch or visual inspection. Can contain elements. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the notch 202 is provided so that the user can immediately and / or easily feel which surface is on top by grabbing the handle 200 and in the desired orientation. Can be useful for providing images in. Other embodiments are also contemplated in which the notch 202 can be replaced by another feature or element such as a protrusion. Alternatively, the handle 200 can have an asymmetrical shape as shown in embodiments of FIGS. 11A and 11B, which will be described in more detail below. Such a shape allows the user to hold the handle and determine if the device is held in the preferred rotational direction based solely on the tactile feel. In yet another embodiment, visible elements such as images and markings may be provided on only one side of the handle 200 so that the rotation direction of the device can be immediately visually confirmed. In addition to the other elements, features, or components referred to herein, the notch 202 allows the surgeon or other user to determine the direction of rotation of the handle by visual inspection and / or tactile sensation. Both are examples of means for confirming the rotation direction of the borescope handle.

In the illustrated embodiment, the laparoscope 110 communicates with the dongle 120 via a wired connection. As shown, the dongle 120 may be communicable between the laparoscope 110 and the display device. In various embodiments, the dongle 120 may have a variety of different sizes and form factors. For example, the dongle 120 may include any dimension having a volume of 16 cubic inches or less. In contrast, for the lower bound, the dongle 120 may include any dimension having a volume of 1 cubic inch or more. Further, the dongle 120 may have a volume of 2 cubic inches to 14 cubic inches, 4 cubic inches to 12 cubic inches, 6 cubic inches to 10 cubic inches, or 8 cubic inches to 9 cubic inches.

As mentioned above, the dongle 120 may include a processing unit configured to perform various image processing tasks. For example, the image processing unit can format the received image data into a format readable by various output ports 230a, 230b. The dongle 120 may also include a multicasting module capable of simultaneously delivering data to multiple output devices. For example, the dongle 120 can output image data to a plurality of high resolution television displays located at different positions around the medical room. Additionally, the multicast module may be configured to broadcast simultaneously across a plurality of different output port types located on the dongle 120. For example, a multicast module can transmit image data simultaneously on both the HDMI® output port and the VGA output port. In this way, a plurality of different display types can be connected to the dongle 120 and the same information can be received from the dongle 120 across each output port type. In some embodiments, the image data may be simultaneously unicast or multicast over a network such as, for example, Ethernet, WIFI, or fiber optic networks.

The dongle 120 is connected to the laparoscope 110 and / or the display 130 (FIG. 1) with a cord of a particular length to place the dongle in the desired position with respect to the patient while minimizing cord entanglement. can. For example, in some embodiments, the cord is selected to place the dongle outside the sterile field. In some embodiments, the data cable between the laparoscope and the dongle may be longer than 2, 4 or 6 feet and / or less than 14, 12 or 10 feet, or within the ranges described above. can. In some embodiments, the dongle may be connected to the monitor with a cord less than 14, 10, 8, 4, 2, or 1 foot. The dongle may be placed in a protective casing (eg, a rubber casing) that protects the dongle sufficiently to place the dongle on the floor where it can be stepped on. Alternatively, the dongle may be provided with a clip for attaching the dongle to a bed post. Additional alternatives for connecting the dongle to an external device or element may include screws and / or mounting plates for connecting the dongle to the monitor or for mounting the dongle in a standard rack.

Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the dongle 120 may include an electrical outlet 220 configured to power the dongle 120, the laparoscope 110, and / or the display. In another embodiment, the dongle 120 can include a built-in power source such as a battery 125 as shown in FIG. 4A, which can be used to power the dongle 120 and / or the laparoscope 110. In some embodiments, the battery 125 may be rechargeable. Further, in at least one implementation, the dongle 120 may include a port that can communicate with and receive power from the external device, such as a USB port that communicates with a computer.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the laparoscopic system. In this implementation, the laparoscopic system 100 comprises an alternative shape for the handle body 200, an alternative configuration for the input components 212a, 212b, and a mobile computing device 300 instead of a dongle. In another embodiment, the laparoscopic system 100 can communicate with a desktop computer instead of the mobile computing device 300.

In at least one embodiment, the mobile computing device 300 includes a tablet computer, a smartphone, or a laptop computer. The mobile computing device 300 may be configured to perform various image processing tasks on the image data received from the laparoscopic system 100. For example, the mobile computing device 300 can provide various display functions, image editing functions, video and image storage functions, data sharing functions, and functions possible with other similar computers. Additionally, if the healthcare professional adjusts the input components 212a, 212b, the adjustment initiates any necessary adjustments that need to be made within the laparoscopic system 100 and the adjustments received from the healthcare professional. It may be received by a mobile computing device 300 that is capable of performing.

The mobile computing device 300 may include a custom software application for communicating with the laparoscopic system 100. The software application may be configured to communicate with the laparoscope system 100 to provide various laparoscopic-specific functions. Further, the software application can be provided with a streaming function that enables the image received by the mobile computing device 300 to be streamed to a remote location. In this way, the health care worker can virtually participate in the laparoscopic procedure, even if the health care worker is in a remote location.

Here, with reference to FIGS. 4A-4C, FIG. 4A shows an implementation of a laparoscope with a removable borescope tube according to an embodiment of the invention. The system 100 shown in FIG. 4A includes a borescope tube 210, a handle body 200, and a dongle 120 as described above. Additionally, in some embodiments, the laparoscopic system 100 can include a replaceable borescope 210. For example, the borescope 210 of FIG. 4A includes a replaceable tube portion 400 and a mounting point 430. In particular, the interchangeable tube portion 400 of FIG. 4A comprises a laparoscopic tube 400 of a particular diameter and length.

4B and 4C show various embodiments of replaceable tube portions 410, 420. The replaceable tube portion 410 includes a laparoscopic tube portion 410 that is longer and thinner than the laparoscopic tube portion 400 shown in FIG. 4A. In contrast to the laparoscopic tubes 400, 410 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, FIG. 4C shows the endoscope tube portion 420. Both the laparoscopic tube portion 410 of FIG. 4B and the endoscopic tube portion 420 of FIG. 4C can communicate with the same attachment point 430.

In some embodiments, the one or more tubing portions may include non-conductive materials such as plastic or ceramic materials that can act as shields from other devices such as cauterizing devices or other electrosurgical scalpel devices. .. Such materials may constitute an entire tube portion or a portion of a tube. In some embodiments, shielded tubes can be placed concentrically on top of another tube. In some embodiments, other shielding techniques / features, such as Faraday cages, may be incorporated within or adjacent to the non-conductive tubing or tubing portion.

Thus, in some implementations, the healthcare professional can choose from a variety of different tubing portions to meet the needs of a particular procedure. For example, one embodiment of a borescope system as shown in FIG. 4A is incorporated into a variety of different borescope lengths, diameters, stiffnesses, material types (eg, steel, plastic, etc.), and / or laparoscopes. Can perform laparoscopic procedures that require surgical instruments. In at least one implementation, the laparoscopic section is also available with a variety of different levels of deformability so that certain laparoscopic sections are rigid while others have great flexibility. Can be.

Similarly, some implementations can perform a variety of different endoscopic procedures that also require different borescope attributes. For example, in some embodiments and implementations, a single medical borescope system can be used with an endoscope sized for infants, children, and / or adults. In addition, healthcare professionals can use the optical system of the instrument, the specific surgical instrument incorporated into the instrument, the specific sensor incorporated into the instrument, the dimensions of the instrument, the constituent materials, and / or other similar features and / or Individual endoscopes can incorporate a variety of different features and abilities so that specific endoscope tubes can be selected based on their abilities.

Additionally, implementations of the borescope system as disclosed in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C provide a system in which individual borescope portions 400, 410, 420 can also be easily sterilized and cleaned. For example, in at least one implementation, the borescope portions 400, 410, 420 are disposable after each procedure, just as the new sterile borescope portions 400, 410, 420 are used for each procedure. .. In another embodiment, the borescope tube portions 400, 410, 420 are removable for easy cleaning and sterilization.

FIG. 4A shows a mounting point 430 extending from the handle body 200, but in at least one mounting embodiment, the borescope tube portions 400, 410, 420 are interchangeably directly connected to the handle body 200. In any case, the attachment point 430 may be arranged so that no part of the attachment point comes into contact with the non-sterile surface. In this way, the contacts 430 and the handle body 200 do not have to require the same level of sterility as the borescope tube portions 400, 410, 420.

Further, in at least one mounting embodiment, the borescope tube portions 400, 410, 420 are integrated into a single structure so that the borescope tube portions 400, 410, 420 cannot be removed from the handle body 200. In this case, the handle body 200 can be interchangeably connected to the dongle 120. Thus, various types of laparoscopes and endoscopes can be interchangeably connected to a single dongle 120, including the respective handle body 200.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the mounting of a replaceable borescope tube connected to the handle body. In particular, FIG. 5 shows a borescope tube 210 and a handle body 200 connected via a pin latch connection 500. The pin latch connection 500 may include one or more pins 510 extending from the body of the borescope tube 210. The one or more pins 510 can be received by one or more latches 520 formed in the receiving holes 530 of the handle body 200. The one or more pins 510 and the one or more latches 520 can only receive the one or more pins 510, respectively, so that the borescope tube 210 is the handle body. They may be spaced apart so that they need to be oriented in a particular way with respect to the 200.

Various other embodiments may include connectors other than the pin latch connection 500. For example, the borescope tube 210 and the handle body 200 can be connected by screw connection, clamp connection, press fit connection, or other common connection type. In at least one implementation, it may be desirable to limit the rotational movement between the borescope tube 210 and the handle body 200, depending on the connection type. This may be necessary to prevent the borescope tube 210 from coming off the handle body 200 during use.

In at least one implementation, the borescope tube 210 may also include electrical connection points 540 arranged around the bottom of the borescope tube 210. The electrical connection point 540 is configured to receive power from the handle body 200 and provide a communication path between the appliance in the borescope tube 210 and the components in the handle body 200. The electrical connection point 540 is shown as a conductive connection pad located around the bottom circumference of the borescope tube 210, whereas in other implementations the electrical connection point 540 is the borescope tube 210. It can be arranged at any place in contact with the handle body 200. Additionally, the electrical connection point 540 may include pin socket connections, magnetic connections, inductive connections, and other common connection types. Similarly, if fiber optics or some other communication medium is used, suitable connection points can be incorporated into the borescope tube 210 and the handle body 200.

6A, 6B and 7 show one embodiment of the tip 600 of the borescope tube according to another embodiment. The illustrated tip 600 includes a portion of the borescope tube distal to the handle body 200 and is the portion of the borescope that is first inserted into the patient. The tip 600 may have various features including one or more LED lights 610, an image sensor 620, a through port 670, and other medical borescope components. In at least one embodiment, the one or more LEDs 610 may have a variety of different colors and intensities. The different LEDs 610 may be individually addressable and controllable by the healthcare professional, or may be automatically controlled by a processing unit within the borescope tube, within the handle body 200, or within the dongle 120.

6A and 6B show exemplary components that can be used with the Borescope Tip 600 according to some embodiments of the invention. FIG. 6A shows an exploded view and FIG. 6B shows a sectional view. The tip 600 is assembled with a housing 614, a lens assembly 611, a cover glass 635, a light emitting diode (LED) 610, a wiring 616, a spacer mount 617, an image sensor 620, and a printed circuit board (PCB) 640. Includes screws 623 and. The sensor 620 can be attached directly to the PCB 640 and the PCB 640 can be attached to the housing 614 to secure the PCB 640. The lens assembly 611 includes an optical component 530 (ie, a lens) mounted at a specific distance from the image sensor 620 to provide proper focus. The thread 613 allows the lens assembly 611 to be moved relative to the housing 614 to change the spacing 621 between the image sensor 620 and the optical element 530. The cover glass 635 may be sealed to the housing 614 to prevent fluid in the patient's body from contacting the lens assembly 611. The cover glass 635 can also prevent the lens assembly from abutment, which would (if not protected) move the lens out of focus.

The image sensor 620 may include a custom-made CMOS sensor, an off-the-shelf CMOS sensor, or other digital imaging device. Additionally, the image sensor 620 can be configured to capture images and videos in a variety of different resolutions, including, but not limited to, 720p, 720i, 1080p, 1080i, and other similar high resolution formats. The image sensor 620 also includes a pixel size greater than 0.8 μm, 1 μm, or 2 μm and / or a pixel size smaller than 4 μm, 3 μm, 2 μm, or a pixel size within either the larger and smaller sizes described above. obtain.

The LED 610 may be attached to the housing 614. In a preferred embodiment, the LED 610 is mounted essentially coplanar with the end of the housing 614 to minimize light tunneling. The LED 610 may be mounted away from the PCB 640 to help align the LED 610 with the housing 614. For example, the LED 610 can be within 3 mm, 2 mm, or 1 mm from the end of the housing 614. Wire 616 can be used to power the LED 610 to achieve mounting of the LED 610 away from the PCB 640. The LED 610 can be attached to the housing 614 using optically pure epoxy or other suitable method. A cover glass can also be used on the LED610 (not shown).

In some embodiments, the LED 610 can be attached to the PCB 640 and a light guide can be used to direct light to an opening at the distal end of the tip 600. In one embodiment, the light guide can be less than 20 cm, 10 cm, 5 cm, or 2 cm. The LED 610 is preferably located at the tip 600, but may be located at an intermediate position within the borescope tube or within the handle of the borescope by using a light pipe. However, the LED 610 is arranged within the borescope so that it is not necessary to attach an external cable to the light source. Placing the LED 610 within the borescope minimizes the distance that light must travel and eliminates the possibility of mounting light sources with different emission spectra. The LED 610 embedded in the borescope can then be white-balanced at the time of manufacture to ensure proper tissue color with minimal or no user input.

A portion of the housing 614 surrounding the LED 610 is used to optically isolate the LED 610 from lateral exposure to the image sensor 620. For example, the LED 610 is laterally isolated from the cover glass 635. This isolation prevents light from diffusing or reflecting off the cover glass 635 or image sensor 620 before it is reflected off the tissue. Due to the close proximity of the LED 610 and the image sensor 620, this isolation is important to achieve a usable signal-to-noise ratio. The LED 610 is preferably mounted distal to the image sensor 620, more preferably distal to the cover glass 635.

In at least one mounting embodiment, the LED 610 and the image sensor 620 can be mounted on a common printed circuit board 640. The LED 610 and the image sensor 620 can communicate with the handle body 200 via one or more wires. Additionally, the LED 610 and the image sensor 620 can receive power via a plurality of wires. In a preferred embodiment, the image sensor 620 and / or PCB 640 can preprocess the pixel data and output a serialized data stream that can be transmitted over a relatively large distance (eg, greater than 50, 75, or 100 cm). In a preferred embodiment, the image data output from the tip 600 is data serialized from a MIPI or LVDS interface. The image data may be at least 8 bits or at least 12 bits, and the data may be RGB data or Bayer data.

Various embodiments of the present invention can provide various optical configurations. For example, in at least one embodiment, the optical system can be configured as a fixed zero degree lens 630 with a small aperture so that the optical system contains a high depth of field. Additionally, the optics can be configured to focus at 10 cm instead of 1 m, which is typical of many conventional CMOS optics. In particular, the optical system may include a field of view of about 90 degrees with a front depth of field of about 15 mm and a rear depth of field of about 100 mm.

Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the optical system may include a fisheye lens or a wide-angle lens. In such an embodiment, the dongle 120 is also configured to smooth the image received from a wide-angle or fisheye lens so that at least some of the distortion from the lens is removed from the final image. It may have an image processing component. In at least one embodiment, interchangeable borescope tubes are available in a variety of different optical systems so that the healthcare professional can select a particular borescope tube based on the desired optical properties.

In at least one implementation, the borescope has a depth of field that is at least 30 cm, 50 cm, or 70 cm, and / or extends over a range of less than 120 cm, 100 cm, or 90 cm, and / or is within the range described above. Has a fixed lens. The lower limit of the focal range may be less than 20 cm, 15 cm, 10 cm, or 5 cm, and the upper limit of the focal range may be greater than 50 cm, 70 mm, 90 cm, or 110 cm. For the purposes of the present disclosure, a lens can be considered in focus if the lens produces a spot size of less than 2 pixels.

The F-number of the lens is selected to provide sufficient light at the selected depth of field. The lens can have an F-number of 2.5, 3.5, 5.5, 7.5, or 10 or greater.

6 and 7 show a scope with an angle of 0 degrees. However, the lens may also have an angled lens (ie, relative to the axis of the borescope tube). The angle of the lens may be 15 degrees, 25 degrees, or 45 degrees or more, and / or 65 degrees, 50 degrees, or 35 degrees or less. The angle of view may be greater than 60 degrees, 75 degrees, or 90 degrees and / or 110 degrees, 100 degrees, or less than 90 degrees, or within the ranges described above. In one embodiment, the optical system may include a focal length of about 2 mm and an F value of about 2.4.

In some embodiments, software image rotation can be used to maintain the preferred orientation of the image on the display as the user rotates the scope. In some such embodiments, the system and / or device may be configured to control the rotation of the image on the device, such as by a dial on the handle. In some embodiments, one or more rotation, orientation, and / or tilt sensors, such as an accelerometer, may be provided to facilitate the orientation / rotation of the desired image.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment having three LEDs on the circumference of the image sensor 620. The through port 670 may include a passage that extends at least partially upward in the length of the medical borescope tube. In at least one embodiment, the through port 670 may be configured to allow a healthcare professional to insert a medical device into a patient through the through port 670. For example, a healthcare professional can insert a biopsy device through a through port 670 so that the specific tissue identified by the borescope can be removed for biopsy.

In some embodiments, in addition to providing various optical systems that affect the patient's internal visual field of the healthcare professional, the medical borescope may include a range of motion. For example, FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of a laparoscope having a range of motionable tip. Specifically, the borescope tube 210 includes a joint point 800 that allows the tip 600 to point in a direction other than parallel to the borescope tube 210. In at least one implementation, the joint point 800 can move up to 90 degrees in any direction with respect to the borescope tube 210. In this way, the tip 600 can move within a complete hemisphere extending radially outward from the joint point 800.

A variety of different schemes can be used to control the range of motion of the tip 600, but as an exemplary scheme, one or more sliders 810 can be placed along the handle body 200. In at least one embodiment, the slider (s) 810 may be located close to one or more input components 212a, 212b capable of manipulating various attributes of the image received via the medical borescope. .. Each of the sliders 810 can be configured to cause the joint point 800 to move along a single axis. Thus, in some embodiments using the combination of sliders 810, the healthcare professional can position the tip 600 to meet any point along the hemisphere extending outward from the joint point 800.

By controlling the joint movement of the tip 600 of the borescope within the patient, the healthcare professional can more easily see the various surfaces within the patient. This can provide certain benefits in fixed lens systems where the field of view can otherwise be restricted directly forward from the tip 600.

Accordingly, FIGS. 1-8 and the corresponding texts are one or more for utilizing a medical borescope, comprising an interchangeable borescope tube and a digital image sensor within the tip of the borescope tube. The methods, systems, and / or devices are exemplified or otherwise described. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the invention may also describe methods that include one or more actions or steps to achieve a particular result. For example, FIG. 9 shows a flow chart of a series of operations in a method for processing image data received from a medical borescope device. Hereinafter, the operation / step of FIG. 9 will be described in relation to the components and modules shown in FIGS. 1 to 8.

For example, FIG. 9 shows a flow chart for implementing a method for processing image data received from a medical borescope device, which method may include operation 900 for serializing the image data. Operation 900 includes serializing the image data received from the image sensor, the image sensor being located at the first end of the medical borescope tube. For example, FIG. 6A shows the tip 600 of a medical borescope tube 210 with an image sensor 620. The information received via the image sensor 620 is serialized before being transmitted via the medical borescope tube 210.

FIG. 9 also shows that the method may include an operation 910 for transmitting image data. The operation 910 includes a step of transmitting image data serialized to the second end of the medical borescope tube via the medical borescope tube. For example, FIG. 6A shows a telecommunications path connecting an image sensor to the second end of a medical borescope tube 210.

Additionally, FIG. 9 shows that the method may include operation 920 to deserialize the image data. Operation 920 may include deserializing the image data with an image processor, which is located in a dongle that communicates with the image sensor. For example, FIG. 2 shows a dongle 120 that communicates with the laparoscope 110. The dongle 120 includes an image processor that receives data transmitted from the image sensor 620 and deserializes the received data.

FIG. 9 also shows that the method may include an action 930 of interpolating colors. Operation 930 includes interpolating colors from image data using an image processor. For example, FIG. 2 shows a dongle 120 that communicates with the laparoscope 110. The dongle 120 includes an image processor configured to interpolate color information from image data received from the image sensor 620.

In addition, FIG. 9 shows that the method may include motion 940 to correct saturation. Operation 940 includes correcting the saturation using an image processor. For example, FIG. 2 shows a dongle that communicates with the laparoscope 110. The dongle 120 includes an image processor configured to correct the saturation in the image data received from the image sensor 620.

FIG. 9 also shows that the method may include operation 950 to filter and remove noise. Operation 950 may include filtering and removing noise from the image data using an image processor. For example, FIG. 2 shows a dongle that communicates with the laparoscope 110. The dongle 120 includes an image processor configured to filter and remove noise from image data received from the image sensor 620.

Further, FIG. 9 shows that the method may include an operation 960 to gamma-code the image. Operation 960 may include gamma coding image data using an image processor. For example, FIG. 2 shows a dongle that communicates with the laparoscope 110. The dongle may include an image processor configured to gamma-code the image data received from the image sensor 620.

Furthermore, FIG. 9 shows that the method may include operation 970 to transform image data. Operation 970 may include converting image data from RGB to YUV. For example, FIG. 2 shows a dongle that communicates with the laparoscope 110. The dongle may include an image processor configured to convert the RGB data received from the image sensor 620 into YUV data.

In addition to the implementation shown in FIG. 9, in at least one implementation, instead of processing the data using an image processor located inside the dongle 120, the data is transferred from the image sensor to a mobile computing device such as a tablet. Can be sent. In this embodiment, a tablet can be used to perform necessary image processing and image display.

10A and 10B are exploded views of another embodiment of the tip assembly 1000 configured to be disposed within the tip of the borescope tube and / or to form the tip of the borescope tube. In the illustrated embodiment, the tip assembly 1000 is configured to be inserted into the distal end of the tube by inserting the internal collar 1022 of the housing 1014. Of course, various alternative embodiments are contemplated, such as inserting the assembly 1000 outside the borescope tube or joining the assembly 1000 to the distal end of the borescope tube.

Like the tip assembly 600, the tip assembly 1000 may be coupled to a handle body such as the handle body 200 and will typically include a portion of the borescope that is first inserted into the patient. The tip assembly 1000 comprises one or more light sources 1010 such as LED lights, one or more image sensors 1020, and / or other medical borescope components. The light source 1010 may be manually controllable by a healthcare professional or automatically by a processing unit within a mobile general purpose computing device such as a borescope tube, handle body, dongle, and / or mobile phone or tablet computer. It may be controlled by.

The tip assembly 1000 further comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) 1040. The image sensor (s) 1020 can be directly coupled to the PCB 1040. However, the light source (s) 1010 may be spaced apart from the PCB 1040. More specifically, the light source (s) 1010 physically separates the light source (s) 1010 from the PCB 1040 and / or places the light source (s) 1010 closer to the distal end of the tip. It can be placed on the configured spacer mount 1017. In some preferred embodiments, the light source (s) 1010 are arranged to be coplanar with, or at least substantially coplanar with, the distal end and / or tip assembly 1000 itself of the housing 1014. obtain. This can help prevent shading effects or create better images. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the light source / LED 1010 is arranged in the cavity 1019 (see FIG. 10B) formed in the housing 1014. The perimeter of the housing 1014 defining the cavity 1019 may be coplanar with the distal end of the tip assembly 1000.

The tip assembly 1000 further comprises a lens assembly 1011 and a cover glass 1035 and one or more fasteners such as fasteners 1018 and 1023 that can be used to secure the various components of the assembly 1000 in place. .. One or more lenses or other optics can be placed within the lens cavity 1012 formed within the lens assembly 1011 to provide the image sensor 1020 with the desired focus. The lens assembly 1011 can be placed in the lens housing cavity 1015 formed in the housing 1014. In some embodiments, the lens assembly 1011 is placed in the housing 1014 by providing a thread, such as a thread 613 in assembly 600, to vary the spacing between the image sensor 1020 and the lens in the lens assembly 1011. It may be possible to move against it.

The cover glass 1035 may be hermetically sealed to the housing 1014 to prevent fluid from contacting the lens assembly 1011 or otherwise entering the tip assembly 1000 and may serve a protective function. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover glass 1035 is specifically configured to cover the lens (in the lens assembly 1011) and its associated image sensor 1020 without covering the light source / LED 1010. This can be useful to avoid light reflected from the light source / LED 1010 entering the image sensor 1020 and blurring the resulting image.

A portion of the housing 1014 surrounding the light source / LED 1010 can be used to optically isolate the light source / LED 1010 from lateral exposure to the image sensor 1020. For example, as described above, the light source / LED 1010 is isolated from the cover glass 1035 to prevent light from reflecting off the image sensor 1020 before it is reflected from the tissue. In addition, as also mentioned above, the light source / LED is preferably installed away from the PCB 1040 to which the image sensor 1020 can be mounted in order to further improve the image quality. In some embodiments, the light source / LED 1010 may be located distal to the image sensor 1020 and also distal to the cover glass 1035. However, in other embodiments, the light source / LED 1010 may be coplanar with the cover glass 1035 or may be recessed / proximal to the cover glass 1035.

Thus, the illustrated embodiment comprises two transparent media physically separated from each other, one covering the lens and / or the image sensor 1020 (cover glass 1035) and the other covering the light source / LED 1010. In the illustrated embodiment, the transparent medium covering the light source / LED 1010 may include an epoxy that encloses the light source / LED 1010. However, other embodiments are also contemplated in which a separate transparent cover is placed distal to the light source / LED 1010, such as the distal end of the cavity 1019 that is coplanar with the distal end of the housing 1014. Yet another embodiment is contemplated in which the light source / LED 1010 is sealed adjacent to the outer surface of the assembly 1000 and does not require a transparent light source cover. However, no matter what cover is used, it is preferable that it does not spread to both the light source and the lens / image sensor in order to avoid reflection blur, as described above.

The image sensor 1020 can include CMOS sensors or other image sensors available to those of skill in the art, including, but not limited to, 720p, 720i, 1080p, 1080i, and other similar high resolution formats. It can be configured to capture images and / or video at different resolutions.

As mentioned above, the light source / LED 1010 may be attached to the housing 1014. In a preferred embodiment, the light source / LED 1010 is flush with the end of the housing 1014 (which, in some embodiments, may coincide with the end of the assembly 1000) to minimize light tunneling. , Or at least substantially coplanar. However, in other embodiments, the light source / LED 1010 may be recessed or extended beyond the distal end of housing 1014 and / or the distal end of assembly 1000.

In some embodiments, the light source / LED 1010 and the image sensor 1020 may be coupled to the same PCB 1040. In such embodiments, it may still be useful to physically separate the light source / LED 1010 from the PCB 1040, as described above. However, in other embodiments, the light source / LED 1010 and the image sensor 1020 may be provided with different PCBs. For example, in some embodiments, the spacer mount 1017 may additionally or alternatively include a PCB such that the light source / LED 1010 and the image sensor 1020 are electrically coupled to a separate PCB. In such an embodiment, the spacer mount 1017 can serve as both a PCB and a means for arranging the light source / LED 1010 at intervals from other PCBs 1040 in which the image sensor 1020 can be located. ..

One or more of the PCBs, such as spacer mounts / PCB1017 and / or PCB1040, may be configured to record the duration and / or number of uses of the device, such as flash memory component 1042 or other non-volatile memory components. , May include components. This feature prevents the use of disposable components of the device (in some embodiments, the entire borescope device other than the dongle for image processing) beyond a preset number of times or time period, or at least. Can be used to suppress.

Thus, for example, in some embodiments, the memory component may be configured to store the on / off of the cycle associated with the device and send a command when it detects the number of times the threshold has been used. It may be configured to disable the operation of the device or otherwise limit the use of the device. Similarly, in other embodiments, the memory component may be configured to track and / or record the duration of time the device is on and / or operating. The device may be configured to receive a command upon detection of a threshold usage period to disable the operation of the device or otherwise limit the use of the device.

In some embodiments, the threshold may be a one-time use. In other words, some embodiments can be specifically configured to allow the use of the device in a single procedure and can eliminate, or at least suppress, further use attempts.

In an alternative embodiment, the memory component may be located elsewhere in the tip assembly 1000, or elsewhere in the borescope device. In some embodiments, the tip assembly may include a smart chip, electronic counter, or time-based lockout to provide usage count and / or duration indications. Such data may then be stored in a tip assembly such as a flash memory component or another non-volatile memory component on the PCB within the tip assembly.

The steps of the method for detecting the number of times and / or the period of use of the threshold and / or the steps of the method for disabling the operation of the device when the threshold is detected or otherwise limiting the use. It can be implemented using machine-readable instructions stored on a non-temporary machine-readable medium located at the tip / device or alternative to a dongle or general purpose mobile computing device.

In some embodiments, the dongle may be configured to limit the use of the borescope in response to receiving and / or detecting certain conditions, such as conditions of use above a threshold. Thus, in some embodiments, the dongle may be configured to query the borescope, for example, at least one of the threshold usage period and the threshold usage frequency of the borescope device has been exceeded. To disable or prevent further use of the borescope by disabling the borescope, sounding a warning, issuing a visual warning, and / or sending a warning signal depending on the detection or determination of You can try.

In some embodiments, usage data may be stored in the dongle instead of or in addition to the borescope device itself. Thus, the dongle may be configured to receive usage data such as hours, power cycles, timestamps, etc. from the borescope, or it may be configured to detect some or all of that data on its own. You may. For example, in some embodiments, the dongle can be configured to detect a power-on or power cycle and start a timer or clock. The dongle can be configured to stop the timer / clock when it detects a power off or a second power cycle. In this way, it is not necessary to store the data in the borescope itself, and as a result, the cost can be limited, especially for disposable medical borescope devices.

This usage data may be generated by a borescope or a dongle, may be simply stored for record keeping, or, as described above, may perform one or more actions, such as when detecting a threshold condition. It may be configured to bring.

In some embodiments, alternative or additional, other instructions, settings or data can be stored in the PCB 1040 and / or otherwise in the tip assembly 1000. For example, in some embodiments, zoom settings, lighting settings, image processing settings, or other similar settings or data may be stored in a non-temporary memory and / or tip assembly 1000 located on the PCB 1040. Such data is additionally or alternative so that the tip assembly 1000 and / or one or more other components of the borescope can be discarded after one use or a limited number of uses. It may be stored in a dongle that may be configured to be detachably coupled with 1000.

11A and 11B show a handle body 1100 for a borescope system according to an alternative embodiment. The handle body 1100 comprises a distal end 1102 from which the borescope tube can extend. The handle body 1100 further comprises a proximal end 1104 from which one or more wires can extend. As mentioned above, such wires may, in some embodiments, be coupled to dongles and / or mobile computing devices.

Port 1106 at the distal end 1102 may be configured to receive a borescope tube. In some embodiments, the borescope tube may be detachably coupled to port 1106. Alternatively, the borescope tube may be permanently secured to the handle body 1100 at port 1106. Similarly, at the proximal end 1104, another port 1108 may be provided to which one or more wires can extend inward to deliver the imaging data to the dongle, computing device, and / or display. good.

The handle body 1100 further comprises a constriction stem 1110 adjacent to the proximal end 1104, whereby the user can either tactilely or visually confirm that the handle body 1100 is in the desired direction of rotation during the procedure. Can be confirmed by. The constriction stem 1110 also partially defines a recess 1115 in the bottom surface of the handle body 1100. The recess 1115 also provides the ability to confirm by either tactile or visual confirmation that the handle body 1100 is in the desired direction of rotation during the procedure. Upon use, the surgeon / user holds the handle body 1100 with one or more of the user's fingers, most typically the little finger and / or the ring finger, resting within the in-use recess 1115. It is expected that. Thus, the recess 1115 and / or the stenosis stem 1110 is an additional example of a means for ascertaining the direction of rotation of the borescope handle.

In some embodiments, a borescope such as a dongle and / or tip assembly 1000 can be used to store data that may be useful for regulatory record keeping, incident reporting, or general record keeping. .. In other words, the dongle and / or borescope may be configured to function like a "black box" in the aviation industry. More specifically, in some embodiments, usage data is obtained from the medical borescope during the medical procedure and stored in either the borescope device itself or the dongle and later during the medical procedure. It may be made accessible to obtain information about the use of medical borescopes. Such information allows regulators, courts, etc. to determine what happened and / or at what time during a particular procedure. Alternatively, such information may simply be used for in-house / in-hospital record keeping purposes. In some embodiments, the usage data may be time data and / or model / device identification data, etc. so that the status of the device used to perform one or more events and medical procedures can be better captured and stored. Can be correlated with other data. The dongle provides type / device identification data as it is removed and used with other borescopes while maintaining the link between the stored data and the device used to perform the particular procedure. That can be particularly useful in connection with embodiments where a dongle is used to store black box data.

Such usage data can reproduce certain aspects of the medical procedure. In some embodiments and embodiments, the usage data is associated with a medical procedure, eg, an image associated with the medical procedure, such as a duration of the medical procedure, an image triggered by an unexpected event during the medical procedure. Borescope speeds such as time stamps, temperature measurements associated with the medical procedure, borescope orientation, borescope position, peak speed of the borescope during the medical procedure, and power cycle associated with the medical borescope. It may contain one or more of the counters.

Alternatively or additionally, the parameter and / or calibration data is stored in the dongle and / or the borescope device, either separately from the usage data or with the usage data, and / or the dongle and / or another. Can be sent to the device. For example, in some embodiments and implementations, type identification data such as a serial number or model number associated with a medical borescope may be stored, for example. In some such embodiments, the type identification data can be stored in the borescope device, for example in a memory component at the tip of the device. Such data can then allow the dongle to query the borescope and adjust operating and / or control parameters according to the particular borescope detected. In this way, a single dongle can be used with a variety of different scopes. For example, the dongle may determine whether the scope is an HD scope or an SD scope, the size of the lens used in the scope, the type and / or number of light, and so on. This information can also be used to enable or disable certain features of the scope depending on its function.

In some embodiments and implementations, usage data may only be used for the purposes of the "black box" described above. In other embodiments and implementations, only type identification data may be acquired and stored. Alternatively, the usage data can be acquired and used for different purposes in addition to or in lieu of the black box purpose. For example, usage data can be used to limit the duration and / or number of uses of the device, as described elsewhere herein. In some such embodiments, the usage data can be used to force / control the disposable of one or more parts of the borescope.

In some embodiments, specific data is thus stored in the borescope and may be queried by the dongle and / or transmitted to the dongle to further control / limit the use of the device. For example, in some embodiments, the memory component of the borescope contains the permissible number of uses, the permissible duration of use, and / or the permissible behavior settings, which, when combined with the dongle, are acquired by the dongle. Such control parameters can be enforced. In some embodiments, the dongle may be configured to disable or limit further operation of the borescope device when it detects that the threshold of the control parameter has been exceeded.

In some embodiments and implementations, calibration data may be stored in the borescope device and / or dongle. In certain preferred embodiments, such calibration data may be stored on the borescope device, queried by the dongle, and / or transmitted to the dongle, such as on a memory component that may be located at the tip of the borescope device. .. Other data that may work with such calibration data may be stored in the dongle. For example, in some embodiments, the dongle queries the borescope for specific lens calibration data without querying the centralized database and corrects so that the appropriate corrections can be applied according to the lens data received from the borescope. Lens calibration data such as parameters may be stored in the borescope and / or dongle. As another example of calibration data, certain LEDs have sufficient variation from component to component, and / or when multiple LED manufacturers are used for a particular borescope or set of borescopes. White balance parameters can be stored in the borescope and / or dongle, just as the contents of the LED color spectrum of the scope can be stored in memory components within the scope, and in some such embodiments. Data can be sent to the dongle for use in borescope calibration prior to the procedure.

Another embodiment of the borescope 1200 is shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B. The borescope 1200 comprises a handle having a distal end 1202 from which the borescope tube 1220 extends. In a preferred embodiment, the borescope tube 1220 comprises a non-conductive material such as polycarbonate or polyetheretherketone (PEEK). This may provide several advantages, such as prevention of arc discharge, that contribute to the safety of the device. We may also provide desirable electromagnetic insulation in which a non-conductive tube can prevent, or at least reduce, electromagnetic interference (EMI) with signals generated within the tube 1220. discovered. Providing a non-conductive tube portion can also simplify the configuration required to provide EMI shielding.

The borescope 1200 further comprises a proximal end 1204. The borescope 1200 does not include a wire that can be coupled to the dongle, but a dongle 1300 that can be inserted directly into a port 1235 formed within the handle of the borescope 1200. However, port 1208 may still be formed at the proximal end 1204 for other purposes if desired.

The dongle 1300 further comprises a memory element 1310 and, as described above, a processor 1320 that can be used to process image data from the image sensor of the borescope 1200. The dongle 1300 can be used to couple the dongle 1300 to the borescope 1200 and, in some embodiments, further comprises a data port 1330 capable of coupling the dongle 1300 to another device such as a general purpose computer. In this way, as described above, the data acquired from the borescope 1200, such as the usage data, can be stored in the memory element 1310 and finally transferred to another computer after the medical procedure.

The handle of the borescope 1200 further comprises a stenosis stem 1210 adjacent to the proximal end 1204, which allows the user to tactilely or visually indicate that the handle is in the desired direction of rotation during the procedure, as described above. It can be confirmed by any of the inspections. The constriction stem 1210 also partially defines a recess 1215 in the bottom surface of the handle body. The recess 1215 also provides the ability to confirm by either tactile or visual inspection that the handle body 1200 is in the desired direction of rotation during the procedure.

The borescope tube 1220 comprises a tip 1230. Another component within the tip 1230 and / or the borescope 1200 may be equipped with various additional functional elements. An example of such a combination of elements is shown in FIG. 12B, which is an enlarged view of the tip 1230. The tip 1230 includes three LEDs 1240 arranged circumferentially with respect to the image sensor 1260. The tip 1230 may further comprise one or more throughports 1270 that may extend to at least a portion of the length of the handle of the borescope tube 1220 and / or the borescope 1200. The tip 1230 may further comprise one or more lenses 1250, as described above.

To facilitate one or more of the data storage / transmission embodiments described above, the tip 1230 may further comprise a memory element 1280 and one or more sensors 1282. Examples of sensors that may be useful for collecting data such as usage data include temperature sensors, pressure sensors, impedance sensors, gyroscopes, timers, clocks and the like. In some embodiments, one or more of the sensors 1282 may include a second image sensor. Such an image sensor can be used to acquire an image at a selected moment, separately from the primary image sensor 1260. Data acquired during the surgical procedure from such sensors (s) can be stored in memory element 1280, and ultimately, in some embodiments, such as memory element 1310 located within the dongle 1300. It can be transmitted to a similar memory element.

An example of a method 1300 for use of a borescope system with a borescope device and a dongle is shown in the flow chart of FIG. Method 1300 begins with step 1305, where the dongle can be coupled to the borescope. In some embodiments, the dongle may be combined with a disposable borescope. The borescope can then be queried by the dongle in step 1310. In some implementations, step 1310 may include querying the borescope for type identification data such as serial number and / or type identification. Alternatively or additionally, calibration data can be obtained from the borescope. Alternatively or additionally, the usage parameters and / or prior usage data can be obtained in step 1310 so that the dongle can help limit the unwanted use of the borescope. In step 1315, the data obtained from the borescope may be stored in the dongle for later use.

In step 1320, an inquiry can be made as to whether or not the usage parameter has been exceeded. For example, as mentioned above, in some implementations, the dongle queries whether the borescope has been used before, or whether the borescope has exceeded a given threshold usage period or number of uses. be able to. If so, further use of the borescope may be restricted in step 1325. For example, in some implementations, the dongle may disable one or more features of the borescope in step 1325. If the usage parameters are not exceeded, process 1300 proceeds to step 1330 where the procedure may initiate the use of the borescope. In some implementations, step 1330 may further include initiating a clock or counter to take into account tracking of further use of the device.

Following step 1330, usage data may be sensed during the medical procedure at step 1335. For example, as described above, one or more sensors located at the tip of the borescope and / or elsewhere can be used to track and / or record various aspects of the procedure for later restoration. .. In some implementations, process 1300 can return to step 1320 at various points in the entire procedure in addition to, or in lieu of, preceding step 1320 the medical procedure. For example, in some implementations, a dongle or another element of the system tracks the use of the borescope and / or periodically queries for such use, sensing usage data during the procedure. It can be determined whether the parameters used have been exceeded during the medical procedure.

Usage data acquired during the procedure may be transmitted to the dongle in step 1340. This may be done when the data is collected in step 1335 or after the procedure is complete. In an alternative implementation, usage data may simply be stored at the tip or elsewhere within the borescope device rather than at the dongle.

Following step 1340, the dongle may be removed in step 1345 to allow for storage of data acquired during the procedure. In some embodiments, one or more parts of the scope may then be discarded and the dongle coupled to a new borescope for use in step 1350.

The present invention can be practiced in other particular embodiments without departing from its spirit or essential features. The embodiments described should be considered in all respects to be exemplary and not limiting. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the appended claims. The meaning of the claims and all changes that fall within the scope of the equivalent should be included within that scope.

Claims (18)

With the handle,
A tube extending from the handle, which contains a non-conductive material and is opaque to visible light.
A medical borescope system comprising a chip assembly located at the tip of the tube and comprising an image sensor configured to image through the tip of the tube. With the housing
Light source and
The medical borescope system according to claim 1, further comprising a lens assembly. The medical borescope system of claim 2, wherein the chip assembly further comprises a printed circuit board, wherein the printed circuit board is physically separated from the light source. The medical borescope system of claim 1, wherein the tube comprises at least one of a plastic and ceramic material. The medical borescope system of claim 4, wherein the tube comprises at least one of polycarbonate, polyetheretherketone, and ceramic material. The medical borescope system according to claim 1, wherein the tube is entirely made of a non-conductive material. The medical borescope system of claim 1, wherein the tube comprises a shielded tube portion comprising a non-conductive material. The medical borescope system of claim 7, wherein the tube further comprises an inner tube portion, the shielded tube portion extending outside the inner tube portion. The medical borescope system according to claim 8, wherein the inner tube portion contains a conductive material, and the shield tube portion is configured to reduce electromagnetic interference with a signal in the tube. The medical borescope system according to claim 7, wherein the shielded tube portion extends only along the length portion of the tube. Further comprising a dongle comprising an image processor configured to receive image data from the image sensor, the dongle said to the medical borescope so that the dongle can be coupled to a plurality of different medical borescopes. The medical borescope system according to claim 1, which is removable and removable to a handle. With the handle,
A tube extending from the handle and having a tip, the tube comprising a shield portion configured to reduce electromagnetic interference with signals in the tube, the shield portion comprising a non-conductive material. Containing, said tube is opaque to visible light,
A medical borescope system comprising an image sensor configured to image through the tip of the tube. The medical borescope system according to claim 12, wherein the shield portion comprises a plastic material. 13. The medical borescope system of claim 13, wherein the non-conductive material comprises at least one of polycarbonate, polyetheretherketone, and a ceramic material. 12. The medical borescope system of claim 12, wherein the shield portion is concentrically arranged on an inner portion of the tube. The medical borescope system of claim 15, wherein the inner portion comprises a conductive material. The medical borescope system according to claim 12, wherein the image sensor is arranged at the tip of the tube. 17. The medical borescope system of claim 17, wherein the image sensor is part of a chip assembly located at the tip of the tube, wherein the chip assembly further comprises a light source and a lens.

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