Karl Storz Imaging, Inc.

Karl Storz Development Corp.

Hans David Hoeg

Eric Lawrence Hale

Nathan Jon Schara

George E Duckett, Iii

Charles E Ankner

John C Tesar

Marc R Amling

David Chatenever

William S Schnorr

George E Duckett

John Clemet Tesar

Ray Coussa

Douglas S Kirk

George E Duckett Iii

John Clement Tesar

Georg EIII Duckett

A system and method for using a variable direction of view endoscope in conjunction with an electromechanical endoscope holder.

Method and system for using a variable direction of view endoscope with a robotic endoscope holder

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.

Illumination system for variable direction of view instruments

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.

Deployable imaging system equipped with solid state imager

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.

Solid state variable direction of view endoscope

A variable direction of view endoscope system including an endoscope having an image receiver with a variable direction of view adjustable over a viewing range bound by a first limit and a second limit and a single button for adjusting the variable direction of view of the image receiver, wherein actuation of the single button advances the variable direction of view sequentially through the viewing range. When the image receiver is at the second limit of the viewing range, actuation of the single button adjusts the image receiver back to the first limit of the viewing range.

Endoscopic camera single-button mode activation

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.

Global endoscopic viewing indicator

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.

Method for capturing and displaying endoscopic maps

A medical device that is wirelessly powered by a resonant magnetic field, the device automatically coupling to a power transmitter in a control unit when brought within a threshold radius. In one embodiment, the control unit automatically identifies the medical device and automatically adjusts its settings to control the medical device, where the device and power transceivers may be provided detachable from either or both the endoscope/camera and camera control unit or may be provide integral to either one or both.

Wirelessly powered medical devices and instruments

A flexible variable direction of view endoscope with a pivotable view vector and a rotatable distal section.

Endoscope with variable direction of view module

A swing prism endoscope with an actuating mechanism that comprises a control element that oscillates in between proximal and distal ends of the endoscope and is coupled to a distally mounted swing prism, a control surface with a variable profile, and an engaging element that contacts the control surface and moves relative to the control surface while contacting the control surface causing the control element to oscillate. The distally mounted swing prism that alters the viewing angle of the endoscope between a forward direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope and a side direction that is angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope.

Swing prism endoscope

A medical device that is wirelessly powered by a resonant magnetic field, the device automatically coupling to a power transmitter in a control unit when brought within a threshold radius. In one embodiment, the control unit automatically identifies the medical device and automatically adjusts its settings to control the medical device.

An endoscope and endoscopic surgical system for improving the image resolution/performance of a solid state variable direction of view endoscope. The endoscope and endoscopic surgical system has an optical rotator element that optically rotates the entire wide-angle field so as to make any portion of the wide-angle field visible to an image sensor.

Solid state variable direction of view endoscope with rotatable wide-angle field for maximal image performance

A system for wirelessly powering various devices positioned on an endoscope, including, for example, a light source, various electronics including an imager and/or a memory device. The endoscope is coupled to a camera where the endoscope may be rotated relative to the camera when coupled thereto. The system is further provided such that video signal processing parameters are automatically set for an endoscopic video camera system based upon characteristics of an attached endoscope, with reduced EMI and improved inventory tracking, maintenance and quality assurance, and reducing the necessity for adjustment and alignment of the endoscope and camera to achieve the data transfer.

Wireless camera coupling with rotatable coupling

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.

Variable direction of view instrument with distal image sensor

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.

Growing community of inventors

Arcadia, CA, United States of America

Hans David Hoeg