Abstract: A coupler for coupling an endoscope to a camera head includes a base configured to mount to the camera head and to receive an eyepiece of the endoscope; a clamp for clamping the eyepiece in the base, the clamp configured to move laterally relative to a longitudinal axis of the coupler between a clamping position and non-clamping position; at least one clamping arm rotatably connected to the clamp and comprising a pin that moves in a slot of the base, wherein when the clamp moves laterally toward the clamping position, movement of the pin in the slot causes the at least one clamping arm to rotate into engagement with the eyepiece; and a button for pressing by a user to move the clamp from the clamping position to the non-clamping position.

Abstract: A method of providing a visual indication that information is being saved or broadcast includes providing at least one recording device for obtaining the information, providing a system for saving and/or broadcasting the information obtained from the at least one recording device, providing at least one monitor for viewing the information, providing a plurality of visual indications, and activating the plurality of visual indications when the information is being saved or broadcast.

Abstract: A system includes an illumination source and an imaging apparatus that includes an electronic rolling shutter imager and is configured for sequentially resetting rows of pixels of the rolling shutter imager from a first row to a last row, sequentially reading charge accumulated at the rows of pixels from the first row to the last row, wherein the first row is read after resetting the last row, controlling the illumination source to illuminate the tissue of the subject with illumination light for an illumination period that lasts longer than a vertical blanking period, wherein the vertical blanking period is the period from the resetting of the last row to the reading of the first row, and generating an image frame from the readings of charge accumulated at the rows of pixels, wherein at least one reading of charge accumulated at a row of pixels is removed or replaced.

Abstract: A method of imaging tissue of a subject using an electronic rolling shutter imager includes sequentially resetting rows of pixels of the rolling shutter imager from a first row to a last row for a first amount of time; illuminating the tissue of the subject with illumination light over an illumination period that begins once the last row of the rolling shutter imager has been reset and lasts for at least the first amount of time; accumulating charge at the rows of pixels over at least the illumination period based on light that is received from the tissue of the subject while the tissue of the subject is illuminated with the illumination light; sequentially reading charge accumulated at the rows of pixels from the first row to the last row once the illumination period has ended; and generating an image frame from the rows of pixels.

Abstract: A method of imaging tissue of a subject using an electronic rolling shutter imager includes sequentially resetting rows of pixels of the rolling shutter imager from a first row to a last row, sequentially reading charge accumulated at the rows of pixels from the first row to the last row, wherein the first row is read after resetting the last row, illuminating the tissue of the subject with illumination light for an illumination period that lasts longer than a vertical blanking period, wherein the vertical blanking period is the period from the resetting of the last row to the reading of the first row, and generating an image frame from the readings of charge accumulated at the rows of pixels, wherein at least one reading of charge accumulated at a row of pixels is removed or replaced to generate the image frame.

Abstract: An endoscope assembly consisting of an endoscope 622, a light source, 626 and a camera 552 with display 558. The endoscope contains a memory 670 with data that describes the endoscope and its operating characteristics. When the light source is connected to the endoscope with a fiber optic cable 628, the data in the memory are read into a control processor 538a internal to the light source. The control processor, based on the endoscope data configures the light source so that it emits an appropriate amount of light for that endoscope. The light source also sends a control unit 556 of the camera data indicating the type of endoscope to which the camera is attached. Based on this endoscope type data, the control unit processes the image signals generated by the camera head in an appropriate form for the attached endoscope so as to produce appropriate signals for presenting an image on the display.

Abstract: An endoscope assembly consisting of an endoscope 622, a light source, 626 and a camera 552 with display 558. The endoscope contains a memory 670 with data that describes the endoscope and its operating characteristics. When the light source is connected to the endoscope with a fiber optic cable 628, the data in the memory are read into a control processor 538a internal to the light source. The control processor, based on the endoscope data configures the light source so that it emits an appropriate amount of light for that endoscope. The light source also sends a control unit 556 of the camera data indicating the type of endoscope to which the camera is attached. Based on this endoscope type data, the control unit processes the image signals generated by the camera head in an appropriate form for the attached endoscope so as to produce appropriate signals for presenting an image on the display.

Abstract: An endoscope (22) with an elongated shaft (23) and a light post (58). One or more sensed elements are fitted to the light post. The sensed elements may be magnets (432). The sensed elements may be mounted in an adapter (126) that is removably attached to the light post.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable (124) for supplying light to an endoscope (22) from a light source (28). The cable, in addition to including an optically transmissive core (50), includes two conductors (62) that are not in direct electrical contact with each other. Contacts (140, 146) integral with a plug (130) attached to one end of the cable connect the conductors to circuitry internal to the light source. The conductors extend to a switch (384) in a second plug (132) which is closed when a sensor (387) closes the switch to establish an electrical connection between the conductors. The sensor closes the switch when the second plug is connected to an endoscope. The circuit internal to the light source monitors the change in voltage across the conductors to determine if the connection is established. When the connection is not established, the light source places itself in a standby mode reducing the amount of emitted light energy, thus minimizing heating of the light cable, and the second, distal plug.