Patents by Inventor Nathan Jon Schara
Nathan Jon Schara has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 10251532Abstract: A system and method for using a variable direction of view endoscope in conjunction with an electromechanical endoscope holder.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2005Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Nathan Jon Schara, Eric Lawrence Hale, Hans David Hoeg
-
Patent number: 10231608Abstract: An illumination system for variable direction of view instruments is disclosed generally comprising an endoscope having a longitudinal axis and a variable view vector that pivots about a pivot axis angularly offset from the longitudinal axis. The view vector has an attendant viewing field that travels along a path as the view vector pivots, defining a viewing range. A source of illumination is arranged in a plane offset from the plane in which the view vector pivots and provides an annular, solid angle of illumination that covers the viewing range. In certain embodiments, the pivot axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the illumination plane is parallel to the pivot plane. In some embodiments, the source of illumination is a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged around the pivot axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2010Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: KARL STORZ ImagingInventors: Hans David Hoeg, Eric L. Hale, Nathan Jon Schara, John C. Tesar
-
Patent number: 10110785Abstract: A deployable endoscopic imaging module and endoscopic surgical system having an imaging system with solid state variable direction of view navigation features, and manipulated by direct contact force, mechanical linkage and/or magnetic force. A deployable endoscopic imaging module or endoscopic imaging system equipped with solid state variable direction of view image navigation features and software. A deployable imaging system having image navigation software and solid state variable direction of view technology which can be incorporated into a percutaneous housing for performing surgery through a patient's skin.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2012Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Hans David Hoeg, Eric L. Hale, Douglas S. Kirk, William S. Schnorr, Nathan Jon Schara
-
Patent number: 10092169Abstract: An endoscope with a wide angle lens that comprises an optical axis that is angularly offset from a longitudinal axis of the endoscope such that the optical axis resides at an angle greater than zero degrees to the longitudinal axis. The wide angle lens system simultaneously gathers an endoscopic image field, the endoscopic image field at least spanning the longitudinal axis and an angle greater than ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis. The endoscope includes an optical lens system to at least partially even out the information density across an imaging surface area of the imager.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2014Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: KARL STORZ IMAGING, INC.Inventors: Eric L. Hale, Hans David Hoeg, George E. Duckett, III, Nathan Jon Schara
-
Patent number: 9615772Abstract: A graphical model provides a dynamic representation of the endoscopic view and viewing direction relative to a virtual world. The model can be oriented and adjusted to approximate a real world situation. Angular image navigation coordinates are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2005Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Eric Lawrence Hale, Nathan Jon Schara, Hans David Hoeg
-
Patent number: 9603508Abstract: A method for capturing and displaying endoscopic maps is disclosed generally comprising providing an endoscope with a view vector that pivots relative to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope, programming a scan trajectory along which the view vector moves relative to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope to provide a predefined sequence of views of a surface, and capturing a sequence of images corresponding to the predefined sequence of views as the view vector moves along that scan trajectory. A set of configuration coordinates is associated with each of the captured images, and the images and the coordinates associated therewith are used to create a map of the interior surface that is larger than the view attending the view vector.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2008Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Eric Lawrence Hale, Hans David Hoeg, Nathan Jon Schara
-
Patent number: 9591962Abstract: A flexible variable direction of view endoscope with a pivotable view vector and a rotatable distal section.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2007Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Hans David Hoeg, Eric Lawrence Hale, Nathan Jon Schara
-
Patent number: 9182577Abstract: A viewing instrument having a variable direction of view is disclosed generally comprising a shaft, a sensor mounted in the distal end of the shaft such that the image plane of the sensor is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and a reflecting element that rotates about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. In some embodiments, a negative lens is mounted adjacent the reflecting element, and in certain embodiments, a positive lens is positioned adjacent the image sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2006Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Hans David Hoeg, John C. Tesar, Nathan Jon Schara, Eric L. Hale
-
Patent number: 9033871Abstract: An endoscope having a longitudinal axis, a view vector angularly offset from said longitudinal axis, an accelerometer, and an image rotator effectively responsive to said accelerometer, wherein said accelerometer is arranged for measuring rotations about a measurement axis which is generally parallel to said view vector. Through the use of this apparatus, an image is maintained in an upright orientation.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2005Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Nathan Jon Schara, Hans David Hoeg, Eric Lawrence Hale
-
Patent number: 8992423Abstract: An endoscope with a wide angle lens that comprises an optical axis that is angularly offset from a longitudinal axis of the endoscope such that the optical axis resides at an angle greater than zero degrees to the longitudinal axis. The wide angle lens system simultaneously gathers an endoscopic image field, the endoscopic image field at least spanning the longitudinal axis and an angle greater than ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis. The endoscope includes a transmission system with a lens system having f-sin(theta) distortion or substantially f-sin(theta) distortion that distributes the angle of incidence of the light rays gathered from the endoscopic field of view on to the image surface area in order to even out the information density across the surface area of the imager.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2014Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Eric L. Hale, Hans David Hoeg, George E. Duckett, III, Nathan Jon Schara
-
Publication number: 20150065799Abstract: An endoscope with a wide angle lens that comprises an optical axis that is angularly offset from a longitudinal axis of the endoscope such that the optical axis resides at an angle greater than zero degrees to the longitudinal axis. The wide angle lens system simultaneously gathers an endoscopic image field, the endoscopic image field at least spanning the longitudinal axis and an angle greater than ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis. The endoscope includes an optical lens system to at least partially even out the information density across an imaging surface area of the imager.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Eric L. Hale, Hans David Hoeg, George E. Duckett III, Nathan Jon Schara
-
Publication number: 20140303438Abstract: An endoscope with a wide angle lens that comprises an optical axis that is angularly offset from a longitudinal axis of the endoscope such that the optical axis resides at an angle greater than zero degrees to the longitudinal axis. The wide angle lens system simultaneously gathers an endoscopic image field, the endoscopic image field at least spanning the longitudinal axis and an angle greater than ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis. The endoscope includes a transmission system with a lens system having f-sin(theta) distortion or substantially f-sin(theta) distortion that distributes the angle of incidence of the light rays gathered from the endoscopic field of view on to the image surface area in order to even out the information density across the surface area of the imager.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2014Publication date: October 9, 2014Inventors: Eric L. Hale, Hans David Hoeg, George E. Duckett, III, Nathan Jon Schara
-
Patent number: 8814782Abstract: An endoscope with a wide angle lens that comprises an optical axis that is angularly offset from a longitudinal axis of the endoscope such that the optical axis resides at an angle greater than zero degrees to the longitudinal axis. The wide angle lens system simultaneously gathers an endoscopic image field at least spanning the longitudinal axis and an angle greater than ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis. The endoscope further includes an imager comprising an imaging surface area that receives at least a portion of endoscopic image transmitted by the wide angle lens system and produces output signals corresponding to the endoscopic image field and image forming circuitry that receives the output signal and produces an image signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2008Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Eric L. Hale, Hans David Hoeg, Nathan Jon Schara, George E. Duckett, III
-
Patent number: 8817086Abstract: A coupling assembly for a scope and an image sensor housing is disclosed generally comprising an image orientation unit having first and second coupling sections for coupling the unit to a scope and an image sensor housing, such as a camera head, an optical assembly with a rotatable optical element for rotating the images, a rotation sensor for monitoring rotation of the optical element, an accelerometer for monitoring rotation of the unit, and a processor for receiving signals from the rotation sensor and the accelerometer and calculating the orientation of the images relative to the direction of gravity. In certain embodiments, the processor causes an actuator to rotate the optical element to level the images. In some embodiments, the processor activates a visual indicator, such as a diode, to indicate the direction of vertical.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2011Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Hans David Hoeg, Eric L. Hale, Nathan Jon Schara
-
Patent number: 8771177Abstract: A flexible endoscope having a wide-angle lens that has an optical axis that is angularly offset from a longitudinal axis of the endoscope, such that the optical axis resides at an angle greater than zero degrees to the longitudinal axis. The wide-angle lens system simultaneously gathers an endoscopic image field at least spanning the longitudinal axis and an angle greater than ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis. The endoscope includes an imager comprising an imaging surface area that receives at least a portion of endoscopic image transmitted by the wide-angle lens system and produces output signals corresponding to the endoscopic image field and image forming circuitry that receives the output signal and produces an image signal. The wide-angle lens endoscope has a flexible distal end or tip.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2012Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Eric L. Hale, Nathan Jon Schara, Hans David Hoeg, George E. Duckett, III
-
Patent number: 8758234Abstract: An endoscope with a wide angle lens that comprises an optical axis that is angularly offset from a longitudinal axis of the endoscope such that the optical axis resides at an angle greater than zero degrees to the longitudinal axis. The wide angle lens system simultaneously gathers an endoscopic image field, the endoscopic image field at least spanning the longitudinal axis and an angle greater than ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis. The endoscope includes a transmission system with a lens system having f-sin(theta) distortion or substantially f-sin(theta) distortion that distributes the angle of incidence of the light rays gathered from the endoscopic field of view on to the image surface area in order to even out the information density across the surface area of the imager.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Eric L. Hale, Hans David Hoeg, George E. Duckett, III, Nathan Jon Schara
-
Publication number: 20140046132Abstract: A deployable endoscopic imaging module and endoscopic surgical system having an imaging system with solid state variable direction of view navigation features, and manipulated by direct contact force, mechanical linkage and/or magnetic force. A deployable endoscopic imaging module or endoscopic imaging system equipped with solid state variable direction of view image navigation features and software. A deployable imaging system having image navigation software and solid state variable direction of view technology which can be incorporated into a percutaneous housing for performing surgery through a patient's skin.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2012Publication date: February 13, 2014Inventors: Hans David Hoeg, Eric L. Hale, Douglas S. Kirk, William S. Schnorr, Nathan Jon Schara
-
Patent number: 8414476Abstract: A method for a variable direction of view endoscope used in combination with an image guided surgical system to provide new diagnostic and surgical capabilities. The method provides the following capabilities: greatly improved endoscopic orientation capabilities, global monitoring of endoscopic viewing direction, and greatly improved surgical approach and procedure planning.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2011Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Hans David Hoeg, Nathan Jon Schara, Eric Lawrence Hale
-
Publication number: 20120116158Abstract: A flexible endoscope having a wide-angle lens that has an optical axis that is angularly offset from a longitudinal axis of the endoscope, such that the optical axis resides at an angle greater than zero degrees to the longitudinal axis. The wide-angle lens system simultaneously gathers an endoscopic image field at least spanning the longitudinal axis and an angle greater than ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis. The endoscope includes an imager comprising an imaging surface area that receives at least a portion of endoscopic image transmitted by the wide-angle lens system and produces output signals corresponding to the endoscopic image field and image forming circuitry that receives the output signal and produces an image signal. The wide-angle lens endoscope has a flexible distal end or tip.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2012Publication date: May 10, 2012Inventors: Eric L. Hale, Nathan Jon Schara, Hans David Hoeg
-
Patent number: 8167795Abstract: A method and system are provided for configuring a variable direction of view endoscope, generally comprising a video display screen and an endoscope having a view controlling device for moving the view vector between predefined, discrete view vector positions. The video display screen displays a set of these view vector positions, and the view vector is moved from one of these positions directly to another in response to a command from a user via the video display screen.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Hans David Hoeg, Nathan Jon Schara, Eric Lawrence Hale