Karl Storz Imaging, Inc.

Karl Storz Se Co. & Kg

George E Duckett, Iii

Eric Lawrence Hale

Hans David Hoeg

Nathan Jon Schara

Marios Kyperountas

Marc R Amling

Helga Schemm

Daniel Lietz

Markus Kupferschmid

Andreas Heni

Daniel Ulmschneider

Dashiell A Birnkrant

Russell D Granneman

Joseph Sanandajifar

Lawrence Natusch

Mark Gregory Belding

Chris Zimmer

A hyperspectral imaging system includes an optical channel arranged to focus light at a first image plane. A spectrometer includes a slit formed at the first image plane to allow a portion of the light to pass. A dispersive element receives light from the slit and spectrally disperses it along a direction perpendicular to a width of the slit. A focusing lens focuses the spectrally dispersed light at a second image plane such that the spectral dispersion is imaged along a first axis of the second image plane, and a spatial image of the slit width is imaged along a second axis. A sensor at the second image plane detects the spectrally dispersed light. A rotating prism is located distally to the slit and rotates, thereby rotating the image at the first imaging plane so that the portion of the image transmitted into the spectrometer varies.

Imaging spectrometer and camera with rotating prism

A hyperspectral imaging device includes an optical channel arranged to focus light at a first image plane. A spectrometer includes a slit formed at the first image plane to allow a slit-shaped portion of the light pass through. A dispersive element receives light from the slit and spectrally disperses it along a direction perpendicular to a width of the slit. A focusing lens focuses the spectrally dispersed light at a second image plane such that the spectral dispersion is imaged along a first axis thereof, and a spatial image of the slit width is imaged along a second axis for detection by a sensor. A sliding lens group between the optical channel and the first image plane moves to direct the incident light, scanning the entire image over the slit such that multiple frames acquired by the sensor each correspond to a horizontal line of the image.

Imaging spectrometer and camera with sliding lens group

A hyperspectral imaging method and system including cameras with simultaneous white light imaging capability are presented. A video system includes a camera and a light source adapted to provide white light illumination at a first frame rate suitable for live video, and to provide intermittent narrowband illumination for individual frames interspersed among the white light illuminated frames, where the spectrum of the narrowband illumination varies amongst the interspersed frames permitting a series of at least two differently illuminated narrowband interspersed frames to be assembled into a multispectral or hyperspectral data cube at a second frame rate. The system also includes a processor adapted to receive an image signal and create a live video feed based on the white light illuminated frames by replacing the narrowband illuminated frames with generated or previously collected frames.

Hyperspectral/multispectral imaging system with simultaneous white light imaging

Improved medical scope devices and systems are provided to with two imaging modes and user interface features based on the imaging modes. A medical scope has a shaft with a light emitter at the distal tip providing illumination light and an optical assembly including a wide-angle lens element. A processor controls a display to show an adjustable region of interest (ROI) smaller than a field of view of the image sensor. Responsive to designated conditions, a frame is selected for diagnostic image processing to determine whether a feature of interest (FOI) is present in the frame. Responsive to an FOI being present in the frame but outside the ROI, a notification is created on the electronic display.

Frame processing of imaging scope data for user interface presentation

Medical imaging camera head attachment devices and methods are provided using light captured by an endoscope system or other medical scope or borescope. Various camera head attachments are provided with a camera head design and system allowing recognition of the attachments and enabling processing algorithms associated with each. The camera head optics are designed to work with a variety of attachments. Several attachments optical designs are provided.

Attachment system for conditioning light between endoscope and camera

An image relay system is presented that includes an opposing pair of rod lens assemblies positioned symmetrically with respect to a central airspace. The rod lens assemblies include a meniscus lens positioned immediately adjacent to a central airspace and with the convex surface facing the airspace, a first lens having positive optical power with a convex face positioned adjacent to the inner face of the meniscus lens, a rod lens adjacent to the first lens having positive power, and a second lens having positive optical power positioned adjacent to the rod lens, the relay system designed so that light across a broad spectrum come to a common focus, as well as correcting for spherical aberration across the broad spectrum. An endoscope employing this relay system is also presented.

Apochromatic rod lens relay system with reduced spherochromatism and an endoscope with improved relay system

An endoscope or other endoscopic instrument is provided with multiple image sensors incorporated into the distal tip, each capturing a portion of the image provided from an optical imaging system. The output from the multiple sensors is combined and manipulated into a single image of a resolution higher than is possible with only one of the sensors. The resulting image, or a portion thereof, can then be displayed to the user. A digital panning feature is also provided where the region of interest displayed from the combined field of view including data from the multiple image sensors is changed.

Endoscope incorporating multiple image sensors for increased resolution

Improved fluoresced imaging (FI) endoscope devices and systems are provided to enhance use of endoscopes with FI and visible light capabilities. An endoscope device is provided for endoscopy imaging in a white light and a fluoresced light mode. A relay system includes an opposing pair of rod lens assemblies positioned symmetrically with respect to a central airspace. The rod lens assemblies include a meniscus lens positioned immediately adjacent to a central airspace and with the convex surface facing the airspace, a first lens having positive power with a convex face positioned adjacent to the inner face of the meniscus lens, a rod lens adjacent to the first lens having positive power and an outer optical manipulating structure selected from various designs providing chromatic aberration correction.

Rod lens relay system with reduced chromatic aberration

Methods are provided using light captured by an endoscope system. Substantially afocal light from the endoscope is manipulated and split. After passing through focusing optics, the already split light again split, this time in image space, producing four portions of light that may be manipulated relative to each other. The four portions of light are focused onto separate areas of two image sensors. The manipulation of the beams can take several forms, each offering distinct advantages over existing systems when individually displayed, analyzed and/or combined by an image processor.

Method for producing images from a medical device with split images on common image sensors

A camera head with multiple image sensors that may be detachably connected to an endoscope is presented. Each sensor capturing a portion of the image by the attached endoscope. One sensor receives two portions of the image light at opposing sides of the central image area, and another sensor receives the central image area. The output from the multiple sensors is combined and manipulated into a single higher resolution image which can then be displayed to the user. A virtual horizon rotation feature is also provided which can rotate a displayed image within a combined field of view including data from the multiple image sensors. Various light directing element designs are provided to direct image light to the multiple sensors.

Endoscopic camera head incorporating multiple image sensors and related system

Improved fluoresced imaging (FI) endoscope devices and systems are provided to enhance use of endoscopes with FI and visible light capabilities. An endoscope device is provided for endoscopy imaging in a white light and a fluoresced light mode. A chromatic adjustment assembly, typically implemented with prisms, compensates for a chromatic focal difference between the white light image and the fluoresced light image caused by the dispersive properties of the optical materials or optical design employed in the construction of the optical channel. The assembly is placed optically between the most proximal rod lens of the endoscope and the focusing optics, typically at an internal telecentric image space, to improve the chromatic correction. The prism assembly directs incoming light with different spectral content along separate paths which compensate for chromatic aberration.

Fluorescence imaging scope with reduced chromatic aberration and method of its use

Medical imaging camera head devices and methods are provided using light captured by an endoscope system or other medical scope or borescope. Afocal light from the scope is manipulated and split by a beamsplitter. At least one polarizing optical element manipulates the polarization properties of one or both of the beams. The resulting first and second beams are passed through focusing optics to different image sensor areas to produce images with different intensity. The resulting images are combined with high dynamic range techniques.

Method for producing enhanced images with a split image on common image sensor

An endoscope or other endoscopic instrument is provided with multiple image sensors, each capturing a portion of the image provided from an optical imaging system. One sensor receives two portions of the image light at opposing sides of the image. The output from the multiple sensors is combined and manipulated into a single high resolution image which can then be displayed to the user. A virtual horizon rotation feature is also provided which can rotate a displayed image within a combined field of view including data from the multiple image sensors. Various light directing element designs are provided to direct image light to the multiple sensors.

Endoscopic system incorporating multiple image sensors for increased resolution

Endoscopic camera head devices and methods are provided using light captured by an endoscope system. Substantially afocal light from the endoscope is manipulated and split. After passing through focusing optics, another beamsplitter is used to split the light again, this time in image space, producing four portions of light that may be further manipulated. The four portions of light are focused onto separate areas of two image sensors. The manipulation of the beams can take several forms, each offering distinct advantages over existing systems when individually displayed, analyzed and/or combined by an image processor.

Growing community of inventors

Castaic, CA, United States of America

George E Duckett, Iii