With Camera Or Solid State Imager Patents (Class 600/109)
  • Publication number: 20150148601
    Abstract: A catheter may include an elongate tubular member having an outer wall and an inner wall defining a wall thickness. The inner wall may define a lumen extending therethrough. The elongate tubular member may include a first plurality of recessed portions disposed in a distal section, wherein the first plurality of recessed portions each includes a visual marker disposed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Jason Weiner, Anne Sluti
  • Publication number: 20150148604
    Abstract: Computerized information processing methods for processing data from a medical device, such as an ingestible probe. In one embodiment, the method includes processing data obtained by the probe so as to produce a plurality of image frames, and further processing the frames to identify a plurality of frames of potential interest to a reviewer, and using the identified frames to form a preview of the entire data set. In one implementation, the processing of the data includes identification of one or more artifacts or shapes within the data associated with a medical condition, and selection of the frames for the preview includes those frames with the identified artifacts or shapes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Robert F. Gazdzinski
  • Publication number: 20150148599
    Abstract: A capsule endoscopic system is disclosed, wherein the system comprises a capsule endoscope, a docking station, second circuits and contact means to cause the second circuits connected to first circuits inside the capsule endoscope when the capsule endoscope is docked in the docking station in a first rotational orientation and in a second rotational orientation. The capsule endoscope comprises a capsule housing, the first circuits, and first contacts disposed fixedly on or through the capsule housing, wherein the first contacts are connected to the first circuits. The docking station comprises one or more second contacts. The docking station also includes a docking bay to receive the capsule endoscope. The second contacts are configured to contact the first contacts and to cause the first circuits to connect to the second circuits when the capsule endoscope is docked in the first rotational orientation and the second rotational orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Gordon C. Wilson, Kang-Huai Wang
  • Publication number: 20150148605
    Abstract: A system and method for use in surgical procedures. The system includes an endoscope, an imaging device coupled to the endoscope, an imaging processor coupled to the imaging device, and at least one management system coupled to the imaging processor, in which a function of the management system is automatically adjusted upon receipt of a communication from the imaging processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Cemal Shener
  • Publication number: 20150148598
    Abstract: A side-viewing endoscope includes an elongated tube for entry in a body cavity for imaging. A wire line is contained in the elongated tube, for moving in an axial direction back and forth. A guide device is coupled with a distal end of the wire line, caused to shift between first and second positions by the wire line, for orientation in a direction crosswise to the axial direction upon being set in the second position. An input lever is disposed at a proximal end of the wire line, for moving the wire line in the axial direction. A cam mechanism is connected between the input lever and the wire line, for shifting the guide device at a first shift between the first position and an intermediate position, and shifting the guide device at a second shift smaller than the first shift between the intermediate and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kimitake FUKUSHIMA, Yoshiyuki KUNUKI
  • Publication number: 20150148600
    Abstract: The present invention provides a medical instrument which is capable of reducing damage, such as cutting of a wire, to the medical instrument even if excessively large load is applied to an inserting portion. A medical instrument including: a deformable portion; a wire configured to deform the deformable portion; a driving unit configured to drive the wire; a drive control unit configured to control the driving unit; and a load detecting unit configured to detect load applied to the deformable portion, wherein when the load detected by the load detecting unit exceeds a threshold value, the drive control unit controls the driving unit to retain posture of the deformable portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takaaki Ashinuma, Takahisa Kato
  • Publication number: 20150148603
    Abstract: An imaging catheter assembly that includes an elongate body having a first body end, and an opposite second body end; an imaging assembly secured to the first body end, the imaging assembly having a first imaging assembly end remote from the first body end and a second imaging assembly end adjacent the first body end, the imaging assembly including a flex circuit having an electronic component mounting portion, a camera mounting portion adjacent the first imaging assembly end, and a light mounting portion adjacent the first imaging assembly end; a camera mounted on the camera mounting portion, the camera having a field of view, a light source mounted on the light mounting portion for illuminating at least a portion of the field of view of the camera; and at least one temperature sensor mounted on the flex circuit for measuring a temperature of the light source and a temperature of an ambient environment of the imaging assembly; and a control circuit in communication with the light source and the at least one
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: John Holste
  • Publication number: 20150141755
    Abstract: A surgical retractor includes a plurality of cameras integrated therein. One such retractor includes a tubular retractor and an insert supporting said plurality of cameras can be disposed within a tubular retractor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: John Tesar
  • Publication number: 20150141754
    Abstract: Provided is a living body information acquisition apparatus comprising a sensor configured to acquire living body information of an inside of a subject, and a power supply apparatus comprising a power supply circuit configured to be able to wirelessly supply power necessary for driving the sensor of the living body information acquisition apparatus, wherein the living body information acquisition apparatus further comprises a power receiving circuit configured to receive power supplied from the power supply circuit and an extension part that is provided so as to extend from a main body part of the living body information acquisition apparatus, and is formed from a flexible member which can contain thereinside at least a part of the power receiving circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinji YASUNAGA
  • Publication number: 20150141753
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes an illuminating section which sequentially irradiates an object with first and second illuminating light beams polarized in first and second directions. First and second polarization images are generated based on signals representing light transmitted through polarizers having the polarization transmission axis in respective directions that are parallel to, and intersect with, the first direction while the object is being irradiated with the first illuminating light beam, and third and fourth polarization images are generated based on signals representing light transmitted through polarizers having the polarization transmission axis in respective directions that are parallel to, and intersect with, the second direction while the object is being irradiated with the second illuminating light beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Katsuhiro KANAMORI
  • Publication number: 20150141752
    Abstract: A capsule endoscopic system with wireless docking device is disclosed, where the system comprises a capsule device and a docking device for receiving the data from the capsule device. The docking device supplies power to the capsule device and retrieves data from the capsule device wirelessly. The capsule device comprises an archival memory to store data captured inside a body lumen by the capsule device, a wireless transmitter to transmit the stored data, a secondary coil. The docking device comprises a primary coil to generate an alternating magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field is coupled to the secondary coil to supply power to the capsule device wirelessly when the capsule device is docked in the docking device and a wireless receiver to receive the data from the capsule device. The wireless link can be a radio frequency (RF) link or an optical link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Gordon C Wilson, Jiafu Luo, Kang-Huai Wang, Chung-Ta Lee
  • Publication number: 20150141751
    Abstract: Endoscope imaging apparatus, including an endoscope, which is configured to be inserted into a body cavity of a patient and an image sensor configured by means of the endoscope to form an image of the body cavity, and to transmit image signals in response to the image formed. The apparatus further includes an optical transmitter, physically connected to the endoscope, and configured to receive the image signals, to encode the image signals, and to transmit optical radiation comprising the encoded image signals. An optical receiver with a mounting fixture is configured for connection to a light boom, and is also configured to receive the optical radiation, to decode the optical radiation to recover the image signals, and to transmit the recovered image signals. A camera control unit is configured to receive the recovered image signals and in response to display the image on a screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Shai Finkman, Adi Navve
  • Publication number: 20150141782
    Abstract: A system and method for detection of calorimetric abnormalities within a body lumen includes an image receiver for receiving images from within the body lumen. Also included are a transmitter for transmitting the images to a receiver, and a processor for generating a probability indication of presence of colorimetric abnormalities on comparison of color content of the images and at least one reference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Doron ADLER, Ofra Zinaty, Daphna Levy, Arkady Glukhovsky
  • Patent number: 9033870
    Abstract: Various embodiments for providing removable and pluggable opto-electronic modules for illumination and imaging for endoscopy or borescopy are provided for use with portable display devices. Generally, various medical or industrial devices can include one or more solid state or other compact electro-optic illuminating elements located thereon. Additionally, such opto-electronic modules may include illuminating optics, imaging optics, and/or image capture devices. The illuminating elements may have different wavelengths and can be time-synchronized with an image sensor to illuminate an object for imaging or detecting purpose or other conditioning purpose. The removable opto-electronic modules may be plugged in on the exterior surface of a device, inside the device, deployably coupled to the distal end of the device, or otherwise disposed on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: VIVID MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Mina Farr, Franklin J. Wall, Jr., Chris Togami, Gary D. Sasser
  • Publication number: 20150133730
    Abstract: A magnetically guiding system includes: a capsule medical device that has a magnet provided therein; an information acquiring unit that acquires physical information about magnetic guiding of the capsule medical device; a magnetic field generating unit that generates a magnetic field for magnetically guiding the capsule medical device; and a control unit that sets a magnetic field condition based on the physical information acquired by the information acquiring unit and controls the magnetic field generating unit to generate a magnetic field corresponding to the magnetic field condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Hidetake Segawa, Atsushi Chiba, Atsushi Kimura
  • Publication number: 20150133729
    Abstract: Transparent domes useful for covering at least a lens located on a scope's distal face, taking the form of a single layer membrane affixed to the distal end of the scope, a solid cap attachable to and detachable from the distal end of the scope, or an inflatable and deflatable balloon having an exterior wall for contacting at least the lens at the scope's distal face. Methods for performing diagnostic or diagnostic and therapeutic procedures within bodily cavities including collapsed intestines using transparent domes and scopes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Boris Reydel
  • Patent number: 9028396
    Abstract: Broadband light and narrowband light are simultaneously projected toward a subject. The subject is imaged by a color CCD to obtain a blue signal, a green signal, and a green signal. A base image is generated from the signals of three colors. Based on a luminance ratio B/G between the blue signal and the red signal, a B/G image is generated. A high frequency component is extracted from the B/G image to obtain a superficial-blood-vessel extracted image, and a medium frequency component is extracted from the B/G image to obtain a middle-deep-blood-vessel extracted image. Based on the base image and one of the superficial-blood-vessel extracted image and the middle-deep-blood-vessel extracted image, a blood vessel emphasized/de-emphasized image, in which the superficial blood vessels or the middle-deep blood vessels are emphasized or de-emphasized, is generated. The blood vessel emphasized/de-emphasized image is displayed on a monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Minetoma
  • Patent number: 9030543
    Abstract: An image with an expanded depth of field is more effectively acquired while reducing the manufacturing cost, without enlarging the apparatus. Provided is an endoscope system including: an objective optical system that is provided at an insertion portion tip and that acquires a subject image; an optical path division means for dividing the subject image into two optical images with different focuses; an imaging element that forms the two optical images with different focuses at the same time to acquire two images; an image correction means that corrects the two images acquired by the imaging element so that differences other than the focuses become substantially the same; and an image combination processing unit that selects an image with a relatively high contrast in predetermined corresponding areas between the two images corrected by the image correction means to generate a combined image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignees: Olympus Medical Systems Corp., Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tsuyuki, Takeshi Suga, Masao Sambongi
  • Patent number: 9028399
    Abstract: The invention relates to an intracorporeal probe (10), for example preferably for examining hollow organs or natural or artificially created body cavities in the human or animal body, the probe (10) being designed in the form of a capsule that can be introduced into the body without external connecting elements, comprising an elongate housing (16) and an image pickup unit (26) inside the housing (16) that is designed for optically recording a region (pickup region) outside the probe (10). The image pickup unit (26) is held in a fashion capable of moving inside the housing (16) in order to vary the pickup region by means of such a movement (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus M. Irion, Fritz Hensler, Christine Harendt, Heinz-Gerhard Graf, Robert Puers, David Turgis, Bert Lenaerts, Alberto Arena, Arianna Menciassi, Vassilis Kodogiannis
  • Publication number: 20150126857
    Abstract: Disclosed are an optical probe and a medical imaging apparatus which includes the optical probe. The optical probe includes an optical scanner, which includes first and second fluids which have different refractive indexes and are not mixed with each other, and a probe body that is insertable into a coelom, and in which the optical scanner is provided in the probe body. Light which is emitted from the optical scanner is irradiated onto an object via a light output device. An output angle of the light emitted from the optical scanner varies based on a corresponding change in an interface between the first and second fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-seog CHOI, Woon-bae KIM, Seung-wan LEE, Eun-sung LEE, Jong-hyeon CHANG, Hyun CHOI
  • Publication number: 20150126856
    Abstract: A drive assembly for driving an imaging catheter has a rotatable fiber and a rotatable drive shaft. The drive assembly includes a fiber optic rotating junction and a motor configured to rotate the rotatable portion of the fiber optic rotating junction. In some embodiments, the drive assembly includes a sensor configured to detect a rotational position of the fiber optic rotating junction and a processor configured to obtain the detected rotational position and stop the motor only when the fiber optic rotating junction is in a predetermined rotational position. In some embodiments, the motor includes a hollow shaft through which at least a portion of the fiber optic rotating junction extends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Brian Y. Tachibana, Charles W. McNall, Michael Zung, Peter Howard Smith, Brian Chiu, Douglas Joseph Scott Bourne, Priyanshu Gupta
  • Publication number: 20150119644
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes an endoscope connector for connecting any given one of a plurality of working assemblies to an imaging assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph R. Demers, Marek Sekowski
  • Publication number: 20150119642
    Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for less invasive surgery. More particularly, methods and devices described herein permit improved access within a body cavity when performing a minimally invasive procedure, typically through a small opening, a surgical port, or during an open surgical procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: NCONTACT SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher W. SICVOL
  • Publication number: 20150119643
    Abstract: An in vivo endoscope illuminates tissue using multiple sources. Light from a short-range source exits a tubular wall of the endoscope through a first illumination region that overlaps an imaging region, and the light returns through the imaging region after reflection by tissue, to form an image in a camera. Light from a long-range source exits the tubular wall through a second illumination region that does not overlap the imaging region. The endoscope of some embodiments includes a mirror, and light from an emitter for the short-range source is split and reaches the first illumination region from both sides of an optical axis of the camera. Illuminating the first illumination region with split fractions of light results in greater uniformity of illumination, than illuminating directly with an un-split beam. The energy generated by each source is changed depending on distance of the tissue to be imaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Gordon C. Wilson
  • Patent number: 9017248
    Abstract: A capsule for determining the blood content of living tissue in vivo in a patient to detect tumors. The capsule includes a light source and a light detector for directing light onto the tissue and for receiving interacted light therefrom. By analyzing the interacted light, a determination can be made of the blood content of that tissue. There are various ways of positioning the capsule so that it contacts the tissue in the desired orientation of the light source and light detector. There is also a system for determining the actual contact between the capsule and the tissue. A calibration system is also used that allows a self calibration that can be carried out easily and accurately just prior to the use of the capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Gono, Takeshi Suga
  • Publication number: 20150112133
    Abstract: An endoscope is provided with an endoscope shaft and a main body connected to the endoscope shaft. The endoscope includes a camera connection to which an optical recording device can be mechanically fixed. The main body is electrically conductive. The camera connection includes an electric insulating body that electrically insulates an optical recording device, mechanically fixed to the camera connection, from the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Andreas Mattes, Norbert Haeckl, Stefan Rapp, Thomas Paul Weller
  • Publication number: 20150112132
    Abstract: An elongate medical instrument that may comprise steering mechanisms, optical sensors, light emitters, and/or fluid flow paths is disclosed. A removable sheath may be utilized to isolate the instrument from contamination when the instrument is used within the human body. The sheath may be disposable or reusable. In some instances, the elongate device may be used to position other components, such as elongate tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Timothy R. Nieman, Barry K. Hanover
  • Publication number: 20150112130
    Abstract: A surgical device for displacement of organs within a body cavity for providing at least visual access to a selected site includes an expandable bladder, wherein the elasticity of the bladder varies across the surface of the bladder, said variation in elasticity selected to provide a predetermined, non-spherical shape when expanded; and a valve on the proximal end on the inflatable bladder for introduction of a pressurizing gas into the soft bladder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Robert F. SHEPHERD, George M. WHITESIDES, Bobak MOSADEGH
  • Publication number: 20150112135
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus performs positioning between a plurality of spectral band images obtained by capturing images inside a lumen using a plurality of rays of light having wavelength bands different from one another. The image processing apparatus includes: a spectral band image acquisition unit configured to acquire the spectral band images; a spatial frequency component extraction unit configured to extract feature data for each spatial frequency band from each pixel in at least one spectral band image of the spectral band images; a weight calculation unit configured to calculate weights for each spatial frequency band given to the at least one spectral band image, based on the feature data for each spatial frequency band extracted from each pixel in the at least one spectral band image; and a positioning unit configured to perform positioning between the spectral band images based on the weights for each spatial frequency band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Hirota, Yamato Kanda
  • Publication number: 20150112166
    Abstract: A comprehensive system for gut in vivo exploration, discovery, characterization, research, diagnostics, and treatment comprising three different ingestible capsules and their associated methodologies, is provided for medical research and patient care. The system of tools is focused on discovery of causes of gut-based illnesses, treating, and curing them. The capsules perform unique functions, and as an in vivo healthcare system, provide for sampling, testing or diagnosing gut processes as a function of the length of the gut “x” and at any point in time “t”, including simultaneous chemical substance sampling and testing, along with the associated microbes. The in vivo system allows medications or system perturbation substances delivery, in a prescribed manner to the point of interest, and the resulting substances and microbes are simultaneously sampled upstream and downstream at the exact point and time of delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: L. Zane Shuck
  • Publication number: 20150112134
    Abstract: A treatment instrument for medical use includes a tubular insertion portion that includes a curvable flexible part, the tubular insertion portion being insertable into a body of a patient; and a dilating body that is provided at an outer circumference of the flexible part, the dilating body being configured to dilate in a radial direction relative to the flexible part. The tubular insertion portion includes a reduced-diameter part that is provided at a distal end of the tubular insertion portion in an axial direction, the reduced-diameter part having an outer diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the tubular insertion portion at a location proximal of the reduced-diameter part. A distal part of the dilating body is fixed to at least the reduced-diameter part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoru SUEHARA, Taiga NAKANO, Kenichi KUMOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20150105619
    Abstract: Endoscopic devices and methods for imaging and treating organs and tissues are described. The endoscopic devices described herein include flexible endoscopes, rigid endoscopes, and capsule endoscopes. The endoscopic device may comprise one or more cameras and one or more light sources. In some embodiments, the endoscopic device comprises at least one white light camera, at least one blue light camera, at least one white light source, and at least one blue light source. In some embodiments, fluorescent targeting constructs can be injected into the subject and bound to and/or taken up by a tumor or diseased tissue. Diseased tissue can be identified by viewing the fluorescence emanating from the fluorescent targeting constructs by illuminating an in vivo body part of the subject with light having at least one excitation wavelength in the range from 400 nm to about 510 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: Oncofluor, Inc.
    Inventor: George A. Luiken
  • Publication number: 20150105616
    Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: a light source device radiating at least one or more illumination lights having a predetermined wavelength band to a subject; a CCD picking up an image of a return light from the subject based on radiation of the illumination light from the light source device; an image processing section outputting a first image signal of a first wavelength band having a peak wavelength of spectral characteristic, between a wavelength band including a maximum value and a wavelength band at a minimum value with regard to an absorption characteristic of living tissue, after image pickup by the CCD; and an observation monitor performing image display on the basis of the first image signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicants: OLYMPUS CORPORATION, OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Makoto Igarashi, Tetsuo Nonami, Kenji Taira
  • Publication number: 20150105615
    Abstract: When a bendable medical instrument is used, the present invention reduces a risk that a body of the medical instrument is damaged. The present invention provides a medical instrument which includes: a deformable portion; a wire configured to deform the deformable portion; and a driving unit configured to transmit driving force to the wire, wherein: the medical instrument includes a load detecting unit configured to detect load applied to the deformable portion; and when the load detected by the load detecting unit exceeds a threshold value, the driving unit breaks connection between the wire and the driving force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Takahisa Kato
  • Publication number: 20150105617
    Abstract: An in vivo endoscope illuminates tissue using multiple sources. Light from a short-range source exits a tubular wall of the endoscope through a first illumination region that overlaps an imaging region, and the light returns through the imaging region after reflection by tissue, to form an image in a camera. Light from a long-range source exits the tubular wall through a second illumination region that does not overlap the imaging region. The endoscope of some embodiments includes a mirror, and light from an emitter for the short-range source is split and reaches the first illumination region from both sides of an optical axis of the camera. Illuminating the first illumination region with split fractions of light results in greater uniformity of illumination, than illuminating directly with an un-split beam. The energy generated by each source is changed depending on distance of the tissue to be imaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Gordon C. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20150099929
    Abstract: Imaging apparatus, including an imaging unit, which consists of an image sensor, configured to capture images of a region and to output image signals in response to the captured images and an illumination source, configured to illuminate the region. The unit further includes a driver circuit, which is coupled to receive a digital value indicative of a target luminous flux of the illumination source and to generate a pulse-width-modulated (PWM) signal to drive the illumination source with a duty cycle of the signal determined by the value. The apparatus includes a camera control unit, which is configured to process the image signals so as to generate images of the region and to output the digital value indicative of the target luminous flux based on the images. A single cable connects the imaging unit to the camera control unit so as to convey the image signals and the digital value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Arie Blumenzweig, Stuart Wolf, Igor Kagan
  • Publication number: 20150099927
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for improved intubation which have particular application for awake or sedated intubation are described. An intubation scope having a handle, a flexible probe, and an articulatable tip where the handle has a control lever coupled to a rotary control wheel, which is in turn connected to control wires which when moved by the rotary control wheel cause articulation of the tip of the intubation scope. Systems utilizing the intubation scope may also include endotracheal tubes adapted to fit over the tip of the intubation scope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Ali Sadoughi
  • Publication number: 20150094533
    Abstract: The foregoing application describes a system and method of performing a minimally invasive surgical operation. More specifically, the invention involves the use of disposable cannula and slender dilators of variable lengths, which incorporate a source of illumination to carry light to a surgical site and video capabilities for capturing and displaying images from a CMOS or CCD camera device. According to one embodiment, fiber optics run semi-circumferentially or along walls of the cannula/dilator and terminate at about a centimeter from the distal end of the cannula/dilator, thereby preventing illumination from “bottoming out” at the floor of the incision. According to one alternate embodiment, the light fibers may be fashioned in an annulus around one or more camera chips to provide illumination and video of the surgical site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Kleiner
  • Publication number: 20150094530
    Abstract: A light source apparatus for endoscopic imaging includes a light source for emitting at least narrow band blue light and narrow band green light, to illuminate an object in a body cavity. The light source is changeable over between field sequential lighting and simultaneous lighting. The light source, upon setting of the field sequential lighting, emits the narrow band blue light and narrow band green light in a discrete manner, and upon setting of the simultaneous lighting, simultaneously emits the narrow band blue light and narrow band green light. A connector is connectable with an endoscope having a complementary color image sensor of yellow, magenta and cyan, for imaging the object. A controller sets the field sequential lighting assuming that the endoscope is connected to the light source and assuming that the light source is used for emitting the narrow band blue light and narrow band green light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki MORIYA
  • Patent number: 8994801
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus is provided with: a first feature value calculating section calculating a first feature value for each of pixels constituting an image obtained by picking up an image of a subject; a region dividing section dividing the image into multiple regions on the basis of the first feature values; a second feature value calculating section calculating a second feature value for each of the divided regions; a classification section performing classification with regard to which of multiple kinds of attributes each region of the multiple regions has, on the basis of the second feature value; a judgment section judging whether a region having a predetermined attribute exists or not; and a diagnostic support information calculating section correcting an attribute value of the region having the predetermined attribute to calculate diagnostic support information for supporting a diagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Kenichi Tanaka, Hirokazu Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8994802
    Abstract: An endoscope includes an objective optical system at a distal end of an inserted portion to acquire a subject image; a part that splits the subject image into two optical images focused differently; an imaging device that acquires two images by simultaneously capturing the optical images arranged on an imaging surface; and a part for cutting out at least abutting portions of the optical images on the imaging device, wherein A+B>C+D, where A is half the maximum length of light-receiving regions for the optical images at the imaging surface; where TW is an entry angle at the imaging surface when A is at the maximum image height and d is an optical-path-length difference between the optical images, B=d×tan TW; C is half the length of the light-receiving regions in a direction of the optical images arranged on the imaging surface; and D is a distance between the two light-receiving regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Takeshi Suga, Hiroshi Tsuyuki, Mitsujiro Konno
  • Patent number: 8992418
    Abstract: A video recording and image capture device for documenting surgical procedures that includes a main board for executing a plurality of software, a multimedia interface operable to receive a video signal and process it into an MPEG layer stream, the video interface connected on a first bus to the main board, a hard drive to record an MPEG layer stream as a file, an optical media drive to write an MPEG layer stream as a file, the hard drive and the optical media drive operably connected on a second bus, the bus being vertically stacked and connected to the main board, and a touchscreen interactive for user control, connected to the main board on a second bus to control the video interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce L. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20150087903
    Abstract: A V-LED, B-LED, G-LED and R-LED for an endoscope are all driven to apply normal light to an object of interest in a body. An image sensor images the illuminated object and outputs an RGB image signal. A measurement sensor measures a light amount of red light from the R-LED. A light source controller acquires a current value for the R-LED according to a light amount signal from the measurement sensor and a target light amount signal for the R-LED. A normal color converter and the R-LED receive a current of the current value. Each LUT_Mij in the normal color converter is referred to for outputting a matrix coefficient according to the current value of the R-LED. The RGB image signal is converted into a processed image signal by matrix operation according to the matrix coefficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Masayuki KURAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20150087902
    Abstract: A method of creating a phase contrast image is provided. In some embodiments the method comprises illuminating the target region of a sample with a first light source to provide a first oblique back illumination of the target region of the sample, and detecting a first phase contrast image from light originating from the first light source and back illuminating the target region of the sample. In some embodiments the method further comprises illuminating the sample with a second light source to provide a second oblique back illumination of the target region of the sample, and detecting a second phase contrast image from light originating from the second light source and back illuminating the target region of the sample. In some embodiments a difference image of the target region of the sample is created by subtracting the second phase contrast image of the target region of the sample from the first phase contrast image of the target region of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Jerome Charles Mertz, Timothy Nehiley Ford, Kengyeh Ken Chu
  • Publication number: 20150087904
    Abstract: An endoscope includes a heat influence reducing portion that radiates heat, which is generated with light guiding of a light guide portion via a position near a second lens and conducted to the second lens, to a frame member to reduce a local temperature difference in the second lens in a projecting portion in which a first lens of a front observation window through which an inserting direction for insertion into a lumen is observed and the second lens having a truncated conical shape used for observing a viewing field region of a side observation window through which a direction crossing the inserting direction is observed are arranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Takeshi TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20150088001
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an illumination system for endoscopic applications comprising at least one substantially monochromatic light source having a predefined central wavelength between 400 and 500 nm or between 500 and 550 nm, an optical transmission path adapted to guide light emanating from the light source to an endoscopic region of examination, and an optical band-rejection filter, wherein the illumination system is adapted to illuminate at least a part of the region of examination by generating autofluorescence in surrounding tissue, and the band-rejection filter is adapted to attenuate at least said light source wavelength to a viewer and wherein said light source is the single light source in the illumination system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Technical University of Denmark
    Inventors: Lars Lindvold, Gregers Hermann
  • Publication number: 20150087905
    Abstract: In an endoscope, a flexible device of an elongated tube has a variable stiffness device. The variable stiffness device includes a movable control wire and a coil spring, to which compression force is applied to change stiffness. There occur changes in stiffness of the flexible device in plural radial directions of the coil spring at an equal point in an axial direction. The variable stiffness device is so constructed that a difference between maximum and minimum levels of stiffness of the variable stiffness device is set at most 0.2 time as much as stiffness of the flexible device with internal structures other than the variable stiffness device. Thus, unexpected grip feeling in manipulation of an operator at the time of advance can be removed in relation to undulating motion of the coil spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihiro UEDA
  • Patent number: 8989844
    Abstract: The invention concerns an imaging system to monitor at least one surgical instrument in an operative site inside a volume of the body of an animal, comprising: at least one endoscopic camera to obtain endoscopic data on the operative site, at least one ultrasound imaging device to obtain ultrasound data on the operative site, and a processing device to process the endoscopic and ultrasound data. The imaging system further comprising at least three markers intended to be positioned in the operative site, said markers being mobile relative to the instrument, each marker being adapted to be detected both by the endoscopic camera and by the ultrasound imaging device, so as to permit cross-mapping of the endoscopic and ultrasound data by the processing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignees: Endocontrol, Universite Joseph Fourier—Grenoble 1
    Inventors: Philippe Cinquin, Pierre Mozer, Sandrine Voros, Jean-Alexandre Long, Josselin Duchateau, Alexandre Moreau-Gaudry, Clement Vidal, Patrick Henri
  • Patent number: 8988515
    Abstract: An endoscope system has an image pickup section and a processor. The image pickup section has a control register section which controls a sensor section, a nonvolatile memory which stores first setup data, a control signal interface section which sets the first setup data in the control register section, and an initialization check register which senses an abnormality in the control register section. When an abnormality is sensed, the control signal interface section reads out the setup data from the nonvolatile memory and performs control so as to reset the setup data in the control register section. The control signal interface section further has a memory which stores reset occurrence information upon occurrence of reset. The processor includes a control section which reads out the reset occurrence information from the memory, and, when reset is detected, transmits second setup information held by the processor to the image pickup section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Hidetsugu Takahashi, Ryohei Kagawa, Manabu Ishizeki, Hidenori Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8988518
    Abstract: A medical imaging system includes a first lens set, a light source and an image forming module. The medical imaging system of the present invention configures the light source according to the object-image relationship of lens, so that illuminating light may sufficiently enter a cavity, significantly increasing the luminous efficiency. Also, the image forming and illuminating components are integrated into one system, thereby achieving advantages of reduced volume and cost saving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Medimaging Integrated Solution, Inc.
    Inventors: Chu-Ming Cheng, Long-Sheng Liao, Yi-Wen Chen