Multi-focal, multi-camera endoscope systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022087517-A1
Application number	US-202117540670-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 2, 2021
Priority date	Jul 21, 2014
Publication date	Mar 24, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

A multi-focal, multi-camera endoscope having a tip section including a first optical assembly for generating a first image of a body cavity; a second optical assembly for generating a second image of a body cavity; at least one illuminator associated with each of the first optical assembly and second optical assembly; and a processing system configured to: zoom the first optical assembly and thereby generate a zoomed first image in place of the first image; and automatically cause a physical display to eliminate a display of the second image and to only display said zoomed first image. To eliminate the display of the second image, the processing system reduces a power supply to the second optical assembly, reduces an illumination intensity of an illuminator associated with the second optical assembly or causes the physical display to power off, darken, or blacken.

First claim

1 - 20 . (canceled)

21 . An endoscope system, comprising:
an endoscope comprising:
a first optical assembly for generating a first image of a body cavity,
a second optical assembly for generating a second image of the body cavity, and
at least one illuminator associated with each of the first optical assembly and the second optical assembly;
a physical display; and a processing system configured to:
simultaneously display on the physical display the first image and the second image;
cause the first optical assembly to generate a magnified first image;
automatically cause the physical display to eliminate a display of the second image; and
display the magnified first image on the physical display.

22 . The endoscope system of claim 21 , wherein, to eliminate the display of the second image, the processing system reduces a power supply to the second optical assembly.

23 . The endoscope system of claim 21 , wherein, to eliminate the display of the second image, the processing system reduces an illumination intensity of said at least one illuminator associated with the second optical assembly.

24 . The endoscope system of claim 21 , wherein, to eliminate the display of the second image, the processing system causes at least a portion of the physical display to power off, darken, or blacken.

25 . The endoscope system of claim 21 , wherein the first optical assembly is a front-pointing optical assembly and the second optical assembly is a first side-pointing optical assembly.

26 . The endoscope system of claim 25 , further comprising a third optical assembly for generating a third image of the body cavity and displaying said third image on the physical display, wherein the third optical assembly is a second side-pointing optical assembly.

27 . The endoscope system of claim 21 , wherein the first optical assembly is configured to operate at a first working distance and a second working distance.

28 . The endoscope system of claim 27 , wherein the magnified first image is created when the first optical assembly is switched from the first working distance to the second working distance.

29 . The endoscope system of claim 28 , wherein the first working distance provides magnification ranging between 100× to 6×, and the second working distance provides magnification ranging between 250× to 100×.

30 . An endoscope system, comprising:
an endoscope comprising:
a front-pointing optical assembly for generating a first image of a body cavity, and
a side-pointing optical assembly for generating a second image of the body cavity,
a physical display; and a processing system configured to:
simultaneously display on the physical display the first image and the second image;
cause the front-pointing optical assembly to generate a magnified first image;
automatically cause the physical display to eliminate a display of the second image; and
display the magnified first image on the physical display.

31 . The endoscope system of claim 30 , wherein, to eliminate the display of the second image, the processing system reduces a power supply to the side-pointing optical assembly.

32 . The endoscope system of claim 30 , wherein, to eliminate the display of the second image, the processing system reduces an illumination intensity of at least one illuminator associated with the side-pointing optical assembly.

33 . The endoscope system of claim 30 , wherein, to eliminate the display of the second image, the processing system causes at least a portion of the physical display to power off, darken, or blacken.

34 . The endoscope system of claim 30 , wherein the side-pointing optical assembly is a first side-pointing optical assembly, and further comprising a second side-pointing optical assembly for generating a third image of the body cavity and displaying the third image on the physical display.

36 . The endoscope system of claim 30 , wherein the front-pointing optical assembly is configured to operate at a first working distance and a second working distance.

37 . The endoscope system of claim 36 , wherein the magnified first image is created when the front-pointing optical assembly is switched from the first working distance to the second working distance.

38 . The endoscope system of claim 37 , wherein the first working distance provides magnification ranging between 100× to 6×, and the second working distance provides magnification ranging between 250× to 100×.

39 . An endoscope system, comprising:
an endoscope comprising:
a first optical assembly for generating a first image of a body cavity, and
a second optical assembly for generating a second image of the body cavity,
a physical display; and a processing system configured to:
simultaneously display on the physical display the first image and the second image;
cause the first optical assembly to transition from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation;
automatically cause the physical display to eliminate a display of the second image.

40 . The endoscope system of claim 39 , wherein, in the first mode of operation, the first optical assembly is configured to obtain an image and/or video at a first working distance; and
wherein, in the second mode of operation, the first optical assembly is configured to obtain an image and/or video at a second working distance, wherein the second working distance is different from the first working distance.

Assignees

• Endochoice Inc

Inventors

• Levin Victor
• Salman Golan
• Levy Idan
• David Uri

Classifications

• A61B1/00009

  of image signals during a use of endoscope · CPC title

• A61B1/00181 Primary

  for multiple fixed viewing angles (A61B1/00193 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61B1/00006

  of control signals · CPC title

• A61B1/05

  characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion · CPC title

• 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