Abstract: An apparatus including: a 2D control unit comprising a single camera processor; and a horizontal line switch downstream from a camera head and upstream of the single camera processor.

Abstract: A panning stereo endoscope which maintains an up-down orientation as the stereo endoscope pans an operative field, the panning stereo endoscope includes a shaft having an axis; first and second optical channels extending along the shaft, each of the first and second optical channels having an off-axis direction of view, and an actuating mechanism carried by the shaft including at least one cam follower having at least one follower point and adapted to (i) synchronously rotate the first and second optical channels about their respective axes, and (ii) synchronously, inversely piston the first and second optical channels along their respective axes.

Abstract: An adapter for optically coupling a conventional 2D endoscope to a stereoscopic 3D camera so as to provide stereoscopic 3D visualization of an object imaged by the conventional 2D endoscope, the adapter comprising: a body; a mechanical mount disposed on the body for mechanically mounting the adapter to a conventional 2D endoscope; means for mounting the body to a stereoscopic 3D camera; and an optical pathway disposed within the body for receiving an image from the exit pupil of the conventional 2D endoscope and projecting the received image on an appropriate portion of the stereoscopic 3D camera, wherein the optical pathway is adjustable so as to accommodate a range of different conventional 2D endoscopes.

Abstract: An apparatus including: a 2D control unit comprising a single camera processor; and a horizontal line switch downstream from a camera head and upstream of the single camera processor.

Abstract: A camera system comprising: stereoscopic optics; a right image sensor for acquiring a right image from the stereoscopic optics and a left image sensor for acquiring a left image from the stereoscopic optics; a horizontal line switch for receiving the right image from the right image sensor and the left image from the left image sensor and creating a composite image wherein the horizontal line signals from the right image sensor are alternated with the horizontal line signals from the left image sensor; and a single camera processor for receiving the composite image from the horizontal line switch for presenting to a display.

Abstract: Apparatus for presenting a stereoscopic image to a viewer, the apparatus comprising: a stereoscopic video system comprising: first and second image sensors for acquiring, respectively, first and second images of a scene; a display system for displaying the first image to the first eye of the viewer and the second image to the second eye of the viewer; and parallax adjusting means for adjusting the parallax between the first and second images.

Abstract: A panning stereo endoscope which maintains an up-down orientation as the stereo endoscope pans an operative field, the panning stereo endoscope comprising: a shaft having an axis; first and second optical channels extending along the shaft, each of the first and second optical channels having an off-axis direction of view; and an actuating mechanism carried by the shaft and adapted to (i) synchronously rotate the first and second optical channels about their respective axes, and (ii) synchronously, inversely piston the first and second optical channels along their respective axes.

Abstract: A steerable stereoscopic endoscope comprising: a shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, and an articulating region therebetween; stereo image acquisition means disposed at the distal end of the shaft for acquiring stereo images of a remote site; and means for steering the portion of the shaft distal to the articulating region.

Abstract: A panning stereo endoscope which maintains an up-down orientation as the stereo endoscope pans an operative field, the panning stereo endoscope including a shaft having an axis; first and second optical channels extending along the shaft, each of the first and second optical channels having an off-axis direction of view; and an actuating mechanism carried by the shaft and adapted to (i) synchronously rotate the first and second optical channels about their respective axes, and (ii) synchronously, inversely piston the first and second optical channels along their respective axes.

Abstract: A solid-state light source includes a semiconductor light source for emitting light and an optical system having a fiber optic element. The fiber optic element has an input for receiving emitted light from the semiconductor light source. The fiber optic element also has an output for emitting light received from the solid-state light source. The semiconductor light source and the fiber optic element in aggregate form an illumination path.

Abstract: Apparatus for presenting a stereoscopic image to a viewer, the apparatus including an endoscope; and a stereoscopic video camera optically connected to the endoscope, wherein the stereoscopic video camera includes first and second optical channels for acquiring, respectively, first and second images of a scene from the endoscope; first and second image sensors for acquiring, respectively, the first and second images from the first and second optical channels, the first and second image sensors being positioned along an axis; and parallax adjusting means for adjusting the parallax of a stereoscopic image acquired by the first and second image sensors and presented on a display.

Abstract: A solid-state light source includes a semiconductor light source for emitting light and an optical system having a fiber optic element. The fiber optic element has an input for receiving emitted light from the semiconductor light source. The fiber optic element also has an output for emitting light received from the solid-state light source. The semiconductor light source and the fiber optic element in aggregate form an illumination path.

Abstract: A steerable stereoscopic endoscope including a shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, and an articulating region therebetween; a stereo image acquisition mechanism disposed at the distal end of the shaft for acquiring stereo images of a remote site; and a mechanism for steering the portion of the shaft distal to the articulating region.

Abstract: A camera system comprising: stereoscopic optics; a right image sensor for acquiring a right image from the stereoscopic optics and a left image sensor for acquiring a left image from the stereoscopic optics; a horizontal line switch for receiving the right image from the right image sensor and the left image from the left image sensor and creating a composite image wherein the horizontal line signals from the right image sensor are alternated with the horizontal line signals from the left image sensor; and a single camera processor for receiving the composite image from the horizontal line switch for presenting to a display.

Abstract: A stereoscopic coupler for mechanically and optically coupling an endoscope to a portion of a camera, the stereoscopic coupler including means for mechanically and optically coupling the stereoscopic coupler to an endoscope; and means for mechanically and optically coupling the stereoscopic coupler to a portion of a camera; wherein the stereoscopic coupler includes a pair of optics; a mechanical actuator for operation by a user; and means for physically moving the pair of optics as a unit in response to movement of the mechanical actuator by the user.

Abstract: A solid-state light source includes a semiconductor light source for emitting light and an optical system having a fiber optic element. The fiber optic element has an input for receiving emitted light from the semiconductor light source. The fiber optic element also has an output for emitting light received from the solid-state light source. The semiconductor light source and the fiber optic element in aggregate form an illumination path.

Abstract: A solid-state light source includes a semiconductor light source for emitting light and an optical system having a fiber optic element. The fiber optic element has an input for receiving emitted light from the semiconductor light source. The fiber optic element also has an output for emitting light received from the solid-state light source. The semiconductor light source and the fiber optic element in aggregate form an illumination path.

Abstract: An adapter for optically coupling a conventional 2D endoscope to a stereoscopic 3D camera so as to provide stereoscopic 3D visualization of an object imaged by the conventional 2D endoscope, the adapter comprising: a body; a mechanical mount disposed on the body for mechanically mounting the adapter to a conventional 2D endoscope; means for mounting the body to a stereoscopic 3D camera; and an optical pathway disposed within the body for receiving an image from the exit pupil of the conventional 2D endoscope and projecting the received image on an appropriate portion of the stereoscopic 3D camera, wherein the optical pathway is adjustable so as to accommodate a range of different conventional 2D endoscopes.

Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes an endoscope, a light source assembly coupled to the endoscope that transmits light to the endoscope for illuminating a region of interest, an imaging unit coupled to the light source assembly that receives light through the endoscope reflected from the region of interest, a first power module coupled to the light source assembly that provides electrical power to the light source assembly, and a second and different power module coupled to the imaging unit that provides electrical power to the imaging unit. Other imaging systems and a method are also disclosed.

Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes an endoscope, a light source assembly coupled to the endoscope that transmits light to the endoscope for illuminating a region of interest, an imaging unit coupled to the light source assembly that receives light through the endoscope reflected from the region of interest, a first power module coupled to the light source assembly that provides electrical power to the light source assembly, and a second and different power module coupled to the imaging unit that provides electrical power to the imaging unit. Other imaging systems and a method are also disclosed.