Abstract: An endoscopic illumination sleeve includes a housing holding a plurality of LED light sources (LEDs) for providing light to respective light fibers, the housing forming a chamber sized for encircling an endoscope shaft. A flexible sleeve is coupled to the housing and including the light fibers, the flexible sleeve adapted to be placed around the endoscope shaft such that a distal end of the sleeve is positioned toward the distal end of the endoscope shaft and the light fibers extend from the housing to the distal end to illuminate a scene. The flexible sleeve and housing are adapted to be secured around the endoscope in a working position for a medical procedure, and to be removable therefrom. A kit may include multiple sleeves providing different lighting capabilities.

Abstract: Provided is an imaging system including a video endoscope, the video endoscope having a handle, and an endoscope. The endoscope includes an image sensor fixedly mounted within the endoscope. A capacitive sensing unit is disposed along an outer surface of the handle. The capacitive sensing unit includes a plurality of capacitive sensors disposed on the outer surface of the handle. The handle includes an electronic controller operable to process an actuation of the plurality of capacitive sensors so as to control a camera control function and determine a medical procedure and/or an identity of the user.

Abstract: An imaging device for obtaining an image of an interior portion of a patient includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end configured to be inserted into the patient. The imaging device also includes an optical system including an image sensor and an optical lens configured to capture images along an optical axis defined by a longitudinal axis of the body. Additionally, the imaging device includes a reflective element surrounding at least a portion of the optical axis. Moreover, the reflective element is cylindrically or conically shaped. Additionally, the optical lens is interposed between the image sensor and the reflective element and configured to transmit light from the reflective element onto the image sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing adaptive lighting controls for an endoscope with multiple light emitting elements such as distinct light fibers, or distinct distal light emitting diodes (LEDs), etc. The amount of light delivered to the scene can be locally adjusted on a per-light basis to manage the dynamic range of the scene. For example, highly reflective metallic tools may benefit from reduced light, while cavities may benefit from increased light projected into the lumen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing adaptive lighting controls for an endoscope with multiple light emitting elements such as distinct light fibers, or distinct distal light emitting diodes (LEDs), etc. The amount of light delivered to the scene can be locally adjusted on a per-light basis to manage the dynamic range of the scene. For example highly reflective metallic tools many benefit from reduced light, while cavities may benefit from increased light projected into the lumen.

Abstract: A method for focusing a stereoscopic imaging system includes selecting a Region of Interest (ROI) of a stereo image. The stereoscopic imaging system includes a left-side camera generating a left-side image and a right-side camera generating a right-side image. The method includes adjusting a focus of the left-side camera and the right-side camera and comparing the left-side image and the right-side image within the ROI. The method includes setting the focus of the left-side camera and the right-side camera by processing a one of a disparity, similarity and high frequency content.

Abstract: Provided is a camera head having a capacitive sensing unit disposed along the outer surface of the camera head. The capacitive sensing unit includes a plurality of capacitive sensors. The camera head includes an electronic controller operable to process an actuation of the plurality of capacitive sensors to control a camera control function and determine a medical procedure and/or the identity of the user.

Abstract: Provided is a camera head having a capacitive sensing unit disposed along the outer surface of the camera head. The capacitive sensing unit includes a plurality of capacitive sensors. The camera head includes an electronic controller operable to process an actuation of the plurality of capacitive sensors to control a camera control function and determine a medical procedure and/or the identity of the user.

Abstract: An endoscopic illumination sleeve includes a housing holding a plurality of LED light sources (LEDs) for providing light to respective light fibers, the housing forming a chamber sized for encircling an endoscope shaft. A flexible sleeve is coupled to the housing and including the light fibers, the flexible sleeve adapted to be placed around the endoscope shaft such that a distal end of the sleeve is positioned toward the distal end of the endoscope shaft and the light fibers extend from the housing to the distal end to illuminate a scene. The flexible sleeve and housing are adapted to be secured around the endoscope in a working position for a medical procedure, and to be removable therefrom. A kit may include multiple sleeves providing different lighting capabilities.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an imaging scope, a camera, an image processor, and a system controller. The imaging scope is configured to illuminate an object and capture light reflected from the object. The camera has a light sensor with a light-sensitive surface configured to receive the captured light from the imaging scope and generate a digital image representative of the captured light. The image processor is configured to receive the digital image from the camera and use at least one of a random sample consensus (RANSAC) technique and a Hough Transform technique to (i) identify a boundary between an active portion and an inactive portion of the digital image and (ii) generate boundary data indicative of a characteristic of the boundary. The system controller is configured to receive the boundary data from the image processor and use the boundary data to determine a parameter of the imaging system.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an imaging scope, a camera, an image processor, and a system controller. The imaging scope is configured to illuminate an object and capture light reflected from the object. The camera has a light sensor with a light-sensitive surface configured to receive the captured light from the imaging scope, and generate a digital image representative of the captured light. The image processor is configured to receive the digital image from the camera, and use at least one of a random sample consensus (RANSAC) technique and a Hough Transform technique to (i) identify a boundary between an active portion and an inactive portion of the digital image and (ii) generate boundary data indicative of a characteristic of the boundary. The system controller is configured to receive the boundary data from the image processor, and use the boundary data to select and/or adjust a setting of the imaging system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing adaptive lighting controls for an endoscope with multiple light emitting elements such as distinct light fibers, or distinct distal light emitting diodes (LEDs), etc. The amount of light delivered to the scene can be locally adjusted on a per-light basis to manage the dynamic range of the scene. For example highly reflective metallic tools many benefit from reduced light, while cavities may benefit from increased light projected into the lumen.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a light source for emitting visible light and infrared light and a camera head unit configured to capture visible light image data so as to generate a visible light image frame and configured to capture infrared image data so as to generate an infrared image frame. A camera control unit is configured to extract a structural data from the visible light image frame. The camera control unit is further configured to apply the structural data to the infrared image frame so as to enhance the infrared image with structural data.

Abstract: Provided is a camera head having a capacitive sensing unit disposed along the outer surface of the camera head. The capacitive sensing unit includes a plurality of capacitive sensors. The camera head includes an electronic controller operable to process an actuation of the plurality of capacitive sensors to control a camera control function and determine a medical procedure and/or the identity of the user.

Abstract: Provided is an imaging system including a video endoscope, the video endoscope having a handle, and an endoscope. The endoscope includes an image sensor fixedly mounted within the endoscope. A capacitive sensing unit is disposed along an outer surface of the handle. The capacitive sensing unit includes a plurality of capacitive sensors disposed on the outer surface of the handle. The handle includes an electronic controller operable to process an actuation of the plurality of capacitive sensors so as to control a camera control function and determine a medical procedure and/or an identity of the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing adaptive lighting controls for an endoscope with multiple light emitting elements such as distinct light fibers, or distinct distal light emitting diodes (LEDs), etc. The amount of light delivered to the scene can be locally adjusted on a per-light basis to manage the dynamic range of the scene. For example highly reflective metallic tools many benefit from reduced light, while cavities may benefit from increased light projected into the lumen.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a light source for emitting visible light and infrared light and a camera head unit configured to capture visible light image data so as to generate a visible light image frame and configured to capture infrared image data so as to generate an infrared image frame. A camera control unit is configured to extract a structural data from the visible light image frame. The camera control unit is further configured to apply the structural data to the infrared image frame so as to enhance the infrared image with structural data.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to generate metamerically matched illumination on a surgical site. The metamerically matched illumination may reduce or remove strobing effects associated with illumination devices during a surgery or surgical procedure. By metamerically matching illuminants in the illumination in combination with estimates of the human visual system, the illumination of the surgical site can visually appear to a user as a continuous white light, while maintaining distinct underlying spectra in the illumination. The light reflected by the surgical object may also be captured and metamerically matched, such that the reflected light appears as a single continuous color.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a light source for emitting visible light and infrared light and a camera head unit configured to capture visible light image data so as to generate a visible light image frame and configured to capture infrared image data so as to generate an infrared image frame. A camera control unit is configured to extract a structural data from the visible light image frame. The camera control unit is further configured to apply the structural data to the infrared image frame so as to enhance the infrared image with structural data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing adaptive lighting controls for an endoscope with multiple light emitting elements such as distinct light fibers, or distinct distal light emitting diodes (LEDs), etc. The amount of light delivered to the scene can be locally adjusted on a per-light basis to manage the dynamic range of the scene. For example highly reflective metallic tools many benefit from reduced light, while cavities may benefit from increased light projected into the lumen.