Circon Corporation

Erik Sluyter

Edward A Wooff, Jr

Integrated beam splitter video camera or the like

An integrated beam splitter video camera for processing an optical image from an endoscope is shown. The integrated beam splitter video camera includes a housing having a central area which extends therethrough, an optical aperture for passing an optical image to be processed from an endoscope along a predetermined path into the central area of the housing, and a viewing opening for viewing the optical image. A beam splitting surface, located along the predetermined path and within the central area of the housing, receives the optical image and, with a minimum absorption loss in the visible spectrum, transmits a nominal portion of the optical image along a first optical path and reflects the remaining substantial portion of the optical image along a second optical path which is at a selected angle to the first optical path. A viewing optical system is positioned within the central area of the housing and along the first optical path to intercept the nominal portion of the optical image for forming a viewable image of the optical image which is viewable through the viewing opening. An optical image processing system, located within the housing, is positioned relative to the second optical path to receive and process the remaining substantial portion of the optical image. The optical processing system includes a sensor-converter for producing video signals representing the optical image. A method for processing the optical image is also shown.

Integrated beam splitter video camera and method

A highly focusable video camera for use in medical and surgical procedures in conjunction with an endoscope is shown. The video camera includes a cylindrical body defining a confinement space having an open end and a cover having an aperture on a top portion and a cylindrical sleeve which extends into the cylindrical body portion. An optical system is mounted on the cover and extends into the cylindrical body and the optical system receives and passes an optical image from an endoscope. The optical system is focusable by relative movement along its optical axis. The internal surface of the cylindrical body has a groove which is formed to have an axial pitch and the groove functions as a cam surface to receive and coact with a follower which is connected to the cylindrical sleeve. A sealing means is located between the interior surface of the body and the external surface of the body and the external surface of the sleeve for blocking passage of the fluid into the containment space. A solid-state sensor-converter is operatively positioned to receive the optical image after it is passed through the optical system and converts the optical image into an unprocessed video signal. A video processing circuit receives the output of the sensor converter and transmits preprocessed output signals as an output to a remote location and to a video output circuit.

Focusable video camera for use with endoscopes

A highly compact focusable video camera for use in medical and surgical procedures in conjunction with an endoscope is shown. The focusable video camera includes a two-part body having a first body portion having an optically apertured forward end portion thereof and a cylindrical sidewall, a second body portion having a rearward end portion and a cylindrical sidewall wherein the first and second body portions are slidable one into the other and having portions of their respective cylindrical walls overlapping. A coacting member is located on the overlapped portion of the cylindrical wall of each body portion and causes relative forward and rearward axial motion of the body upon rotation of one body relative to the other. The body portions define a cavity having an optical aperture which defines an optical axis extending through the optical system and outside the body for receiving and transmitting optical images received from the endoscope. The optical system includes a forward portion mounted on the first body portion and a rearward portion located on the second body portion and a sensor-converter which receives and converts the optical image to an unprocessed video signal and a video electronic processing circuit in the cavity extending around the outside of the rearward portion of the optical system.

A highly compact focusable video camera for use in medical and surgical procedures in conjunction with an endoscope is shown. The focusable video camera includes a body having a front end and sidewalls which define a cavity, an adjusting element having an optical aperture positioned external of the body forward of the front end, an extension element integral to the adjusting element extending through and movable relative to the aperture in the front end portion which defines an optical path from the optical aperture of the adjusting element into the cavity, and an optical system aligned with the optical aperture in the optical path to define optical axes extending through the optical system and outside the body for receiving and transmitting an optical endoscope image. The optical system includes a forward portion mounted in the extension element for forward and rearward movement, a rearward portion fixably mounted in the cavity, a sensor-converter operatively placed inside the cavity to receive the optical image passing through the optical system for converting the optical image to an unprocessed video signal, a video electronic processing circuit located in the cavity extending around the outside of the rearward portion of the optical system, and a releasable holding member for selectively fixing the position of the forward portion of the optical system relative to the rearward portion of the optical system.

A video camera for use in medical surgical procedure in conjunction with an endoscope is shown. The video camera includes an optical system for receiving and optically processing an optical image from an endoscope. A solid-state sensor-converter is operatively positioned to receive the optical image after it is passed through the optical system and for converts the optical image into an unprocessed video signal. A video processing circuit is located adjacent the optical system and is electronically connected to receive the output of the sensor convertor. The video processing circuit is mounted around the optical system and transmits preprocessed output signals as an output from the video electronic processing circuit to a remote location and to a video output circuit. A soakable enclosure surrounds the optical system, the solid-state sensor converter and the video electronic processing circuit and includes a sealing member for maintaining the same in operative relationship. An adapter permits the input of the optical image into the optical system and electrical conductors are used for transmission of the preprocessed output signals therefrom.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Barbara, CA, United States of America

Erik Sluyter