Endoscopic system including filter assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12096914-B2
Application number	US-202318500655-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 2, 2023
Priority date	Oct 12, 2020
Publication date	Sep 24, 2024
Grant date	Sep 24, 2024

Abstract

A filter assembly is configured to optically couple a camera head to an endoscope. The filter assembly includes a first end adapted to be removably coupled to the camera head and a second end opposite and spaced apart from the first end, the second end adapted to be removably coupled to the endoscope. The filter assembly includes an optic housing disposed between the first end and the second end, the optic housing includes an optical path length maximizer and a first window. The first window has a first surface that is angled with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the optic housing so as to minimize a narcissus reflection within the optic housing and an optical filter to reject laser irradiation.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An endoscopic system comprising:
an endoscope with a lens system and an exit pupil of said endoscopic lens system;
a filter assembly;
a camera head releasably connectable to the endoscope or to the filter assembly, the camera head comprising an image sensor, wherein, when the camera head is connected to the endoscope, an in-focus image is received from the endoscope at the image sensor; and
wherein the filter assembly is configured to optically couple the camera head to the endoscope, and the filter assembly comprises:
a first end adapted to be removably coupled to the camera head;
a second end opposite and spaced apart from the first end, the second end adapted to be removably coupled to the endoscope; and
an optic housing disposed between the first end and the second end, the optic housing including an optical path length maximizer and a first window, the first window having a first surface that is angled with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the optic housing.

2. The endoscopic system of claim 1 , wherein the filter assembly further includes a first coating configured to filter a first predetermined wavelength of light.

3. The endoscopic system of claim 1 , wherein the optical path length maximizer is one of a relay optic or a high index glass.

4. The endoscopic system of claim 2 , wherein the first window comprises the first coating.

5. The endoscopic system of claim 4 , wherein the first predetermined wavelength of light is centered about 1064 nm.

6. The endoscopic system of claim 4 , wherein the first predetermined wavelength of light is centered about 464.5 nm.

7. The endoscopic system of claim 4 , wherein the first coating is disposed one of either the optical path length maximizer or the first window.

8. The endoscopic system of claim 4 , wherein the filter assembly further comprises a second window disposed within the optic housing, the second window spaced apart from the first window, the second window being angled with respect to the plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the optic housing.

9. The endoscopic system of claim 8 , wherein the second window comprises a second coating configured to filter a second predetermined wavelength of light, the second predetermined wavelength of light being different than the first predetermined wavelength of light.

10. The endoscopic system of claim 9 , wherein the second predetermined wavelength of light is centered around 476.5 nm.

11. The endoscopic system of claim 4 ; wherein the filter assembly further comprises a second window disposed within the optic housing, the second window spaced apart from the first window, the second window being angled with respect to the plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the optical housing; wherein the second window comprises a second coating configured to filter a second predetermined wavelength of light, the second predetermined wavelength of light being different than the first predetermined wavelength of light; and wherein the first predetermined wavelength of light is centered about 464.5 nm, and the second predetermined wavelength of light is centered around 476.5 nm.

12. The endoscopic system of claim 4 , wherein the first surface of the first window is not parallel to a second surface of the first window, the first and second surfaces of the first window being opposite each other and being surfaces through which light passes from the endoscope to the camera head.

13. The endoscopic system of claim 8 , wherein the first surface of the second window is not parallel to a second surface of the second window, the first and second surfaces of the second window being opposite each other and being surfaces through which light passes from the endoscope to the camera head.

14. The endoscopic system of claim 8 , wherein the first surface of the first window is not parallel to the first surface of the second window.

15. The endoscopic system of claim 4 , wherein the first coating is disposed on a surface of the first window facing the optical path length maximizer.

16. The endoscopic system of claim 1 , wherein at least one surface of the first window through which light may pass from the endoscope to the camera head is not planar.

17. The endoscopic system of claim 8 , wherein at least one surface of the second window through which light may pass from the endoscope to the camera head is not planar.

18. The endoscopic system of claim 5 , wherein the first coating is disposed on both an end surface of the optical path length maximizer and on a surface of the first window.

19. The endoscopic system of claim 3 , wherein the optical path length maximizer is a relay optic, wherein the relay optic comprises the first window, and wherein the first window comprises a first coating deposited on a surface thereof, the first coating configured to filter a first predetermined wavelength of light.

20. The endoscopic system of claim 1 , comprising a second filter assembly, the second filter assembly configured to optically couple the camera head to the endoscope, the second filter assembly being mechanically interchangeable with the first filter assembly, and comprising:
a first end adapted to be removably coupled to the camera head;
a second end opposite and spaced apart from the first end, the second end adapted to be removably coupled to the endoscope; and
an optic housing disposed between the first end and the second end, the optic housing including an optical path length maximizer and a first window, the first window having a first surface that is angled with respect to a plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the optic housing.

Assignees

• Storz Karl Imaging Inc

Inventors

• Meyer William H
• Zimmer Christopher

Classifications

• G02B23/2484

  Arrangements in relation to a camera or imaging device (processing or control of video signals generated by an endoscope H04N23/60, H04N23/70) · CPC title

• G02B23/2453

  of the proximal end · CPC title

• G02B23/2446

  of the image relay (G02B23/26 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G02B5/26

  Reflecting filters (G02B5/28 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61B1/00064

  Constructional details of the endoscope body · CPC title