Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus, device or tool for performing endoscopic (that is, minimally invasive) surgery. An exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a video endoscope whilst in another embodiment of the invention includes an endoscopic surgical tool which, when equipped with one of a suite of endoscopic surgical instruments, can be used by a surgeon to perform surgical procedures inside a body. Another embodiment of the present invention includes a suite of endoscopic surgical instruments designed to work co-operatively with the endoscopic surgical tool. In another embodiment of the present invention, a video-assisted endoscopic surgical tool system is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes the video-assisted endoscopic surgical tool and a suite of at least one endoscopic surgical instrument.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus, device or tool for performing endoscopic (that is, minimally invasive) surgery. An exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a video endoscope whilst in another embodiment of the invention includes an endoscopic surgical tool which, when equipped with one of a suite of endoscopic surgical instruments, can be used by a surgeon to perform surgical procedures inside a body. Another embodiment of the present invention includes a suite of endoscopic surgical instruments designed to work co-operatively with the endoscopic surgical tool. In another embodiment of the present invention, a video-assisted endoscopic surgical tool system is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes the video-assisted endoscopic surgical tool and a suite of at least one endoscopic surgical instrument.

Abstract: A stereoscopic image sensor apparatus including a pair of image sensors adjacently fabricated on a common carrier is disclosed, the common carrier being a diced portion of a carrier on which an aligned plurality of image sensors have been fabricated within an alignment tolerance, the alignment tolerance including a target lateral offset between the adjacent image sensors, and a target orientation between corresponding rows of light sensitive elements on the adjacent image sensors. An alternative stereoscopic image sensor apparatus includes a common window having first and second image sensors bonded to the common window within the alignment tolerance. Another alternative stereoscopic image sensor apparatus includes rear faces of respective first and second image sensors being bonded to a common circuit substrate within the alignment tolerance. Methods for fabricating the stereoscopic image sensors are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning at least one optical element of an imaging system is disclosed, the imaging system having a distal end inserted into a patient during a medical procedure. The apparatus includes a manifold removably receivable on the distal end of the imaging system, the manifold having an inlet for receiving a flow of cleaning fluid and including a plurality of nozzles in communication with the inlet, each nozzle being aligned to direct cleaning fluid toward the at least one optical element when the manifold is received on the distal end of the imaging system. The apparatus also includes a feed tube in communication with the inlet for supplying cleaning fluid to the manifold, the feed tube having an end for removably coupling to a cleaning fluid supply, the feed tube being routed external to the imaging system when the manifold is received on the distal end of the imaging system.

Abstract: A stereoscopic image sensor apparatus including a pair of image sensors adjacently fabricated on a common carrier is disclosed, the common carrier being a diced portion of a carrier on which an aligned plurality of image sensors have been fabricated within an alignment tolerance, the alignment tolerance including a target lateral offset between the adjacent image sensors, and a target orientation between corresponding rows of light sensitive elements on the adjacent image sensors. An alternative stereoscopic image sensor apparatus includes a common window having first and second image sensors bonded to the common window within the alignment tolerance. Another alternative stereoscopic image sensor apparatus includes rear faces of respective first and second image sensors being bonded to a common circuit substrate within the alignment tolerance. Methods for fabricating the stereoscopic image sensors are also disclosed.

Abstract: A camera for capturing an image of an object, for example an eye. The camera has at least two light sources and an image-sensing system having two image sensors. A multiple branch optical system transmits outgoing light from the light sources to the object, and transmits incoming light from the object to the image-sensing system. The multiple branch optical system includes an autofocusing element such as a variable power optical element that varies the focus of the incoming light. There is also an image display. There is a controller that controls the operation of the light sources, controls acquisition of images by the image-sensing system, and controls the display of images on the image display. The controller activates an autofocus light source and uses the resulting captured image to automatically adjust the image exposure parameters.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus, device or tool for performing endoscopic (that is, minimally invasive) surgery. An exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a video endoscope whilst in another embodiment of the invention includes an endoscopic surgical tool which, when equipped with one of a suite of endoscopic surgical instruments, can be used by a surgeon to perform surgical procedures inside a body. Another embodiment of the present invention includes a suite of endoscopic surgical instruments designed to work co-operatively with the endoscopic surgical tool. In another embodiment of the present invention, a video-assisted endoscopic surgical tool system is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes the video-assisted endoscopic surgical tool and a suite of at least one endoscopic surgical instrument.

Abstract: A camera for capturing an image of an object, for example an eye. The camera has at least two light sources and an image-sensing system having two image sensors. A multiple branch optical system transmits outgoing light from the light sources to the object, and transmits incoming light from the object to the image-sensing system. The multiple branch optical system includes an autofocusing element such as a variable power optical element that varies the focus of the incoming light. There is also an image display. There is a controller that controls the operation of the light sources, controls acquisition of images by the image-sensing system, and controls the display of images on the image display. The controller activates an autofocus light source and uses the resulting captured image to automatically adjust the image exposure parameters.

Abstract: A multi-spectrum, multi-channel imaging spectrometer includes two or more input slits or other light input devices, one for each of two or more input channels. The input slits are vertically and horizontally displaced, with respect to each other. The vertical displacements cause spectra from the two channels to be vertically displaced, with respect to each other, on a single image sensor on a stationary image plane. The horizontal displacements cause incident light beams from the respective input channels to strike a convex grating at different respective incidence angles and produce separate spectra having different respective spectral ranges. A retroflective spectrometer includes a convex grating that, by diffraction, disperses wavelengths of light at different angles and orders approximately back along an incident light beam. A single concave mirror reflects both the input channel and the dispersed spectrum.