Method and apparatus for wirelessly synchronizing image shutter of image sensor and light source

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9375134-B2
Application number	US-201514867276-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 28, 2015
Priority date	Mar 24, 2010
Publication date	Jun 28, 2016
Grant date	Jun 28, 2016

Abstract

A method and apparatus for wirelessly synchronizing operation of an image sensor of an endoscopic video camera unit having a wireless transmitter with operation of a portable endoscopic light source unit includes transmitting a message packet with a target camera shutter period, light source target phase/trigger time/OFF time and light source target ON time to the light source unit. The light source unit controls the start time and the ON time for light output by a light source. The video camera unit includes a light detector for detecting the actual light source start time and duration of light output to provide closed-loop feedback. A camera controller ensures synchronization between the shutter period of the image sensor and actual operation of the light source based on the actual phase and actual ON time sensed by the light detector and the previously communicated target phase/trigger time/OFF time and target ON time.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. Method of wirelessly synchronizing a camera shutter of an image sensor with operation of a light source for performing an endoscopic procedure comprising the steps of:
providing an endoscopic video camera unit including the camera shutter, the image sensor and a camera controller connected to a wireless non-video transmitter;
providing a portable endoscopic light source unit including a light source controller connected to a wireless non-video receiver and to the light source;
determining a light source target ON time with the video camera unit;
determining a light source target time value with the video camera unit, based on a camera shutter period;
transmitting the light source target time value and the light source target ON time from the wireless non-video transmitter of the video camera unit to the wireless non-video receiver of the portable light source unit;
providing the light source target time value and the light source target ON time from the wireless non-video receiver to the light source controller;
starting operation of the light source with the light source controller at a time defined by the light source target time value relative to a reference point; and
maintaining operation of the light source for the light source target ON time.

2. The method according to claim 1 , including the steps of:
initially determining a target camera shutter period with the video camera unit; and
transmitting the initial target camera shutter period to assist in synchronizing the camera shutter of the image sensor at initial start up with operation of the light source,
wherein the target camera shutter period is not determined or transmitted after the initial determination and transmission.

3. The method according to claim 2 , including the step of transmitting a wireless return signal from a wireless non-video transmitter of the portable endoscopic light source unit to a wireless non-video receiver of the video camera unit at a different time period within the same or a subsequent camera shutter period.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the light source target time value comprises a light source target trigger time and the step of transmitting the light source target trigger time and the light source target ON time from the wireless non-video transmitter of the video camera unit to the wireless non-video receiver of the light source unit comprises transmitting the light source target trigger time and the light source target ON time as data within a message packet that is carried by a wireless RF signal.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the light source target time value comprises a light source target OFF time.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the light source target time value comprises a light source target phase.

7. A combination of a wireless endoscopic video camera unit and a portable endoscopic light source unit,
said wireless endoscopic video camera unit comprising:
an image sensor for sensing images of a surgical site and including an electronic image shutter;
a light detector for sensing the presence of light at a surgical site and providing a light presence signal;
a camera controller for receiving the sensed images from the image sensor and providing a video output to a video transmitter, said camera controller receiving the light presence signal for measuring an actual light source phase and an actual light source ON time, wherein said camera controller determines a light source target time value and a light source target ON time from the actual light source phase and the actual light source ON time and information from the sensed images; and
a camera non-video transmitter for receiving the light source target time value and the light source target ON time from the camera controller and for outputting a wireless RF signal that includes the light source target time value and the light source target ON time, and,
said endoscopic light source unit comprising:
a light source non-video receiver for receiving the wireless RF signal from the camera non-video transmitter;
a light source for outputting light to a surgical site;
a light source battery for supplying power to energize the light source; and
a light source controller for controlling operation of the light source in response to the light source target time value and the light source target ON time,
wherein the wireless signal from the video camera unit to the light source unit for controlling the light source, and the light detector of the video camera unit sensing actual operation and actual ON time of light output from the light source, enable synchronization of the electronic image shutter of the image sensor and the light output from the light source so that light output does not occur when the electronic image shutter is closed.

8. The combination of claim 7 , wherein the wireless signal sent by the camera non-video transmitter carries the light source target time value and the target ON time T in a message packet having a time interval of from about 0.1 microsecond to about one millisecond.

9. The combination of claim 7 , wherein the light source target time value comprises a target light source phase and the light source controller is configured to shift the target phase of the light output from the light source a predetermined amount of time that is recognizable by the camera controller as a bit value, whereby the light source controller is capable of sending information to the camera controller.

10. The combination of claim 9 , wherein the information sent to the camera unit from the light source unit comprises at least one of: type of endoscopic light source unit; type of light emitting diodes provided for the light source; type of light source battery; remaining charge for the light source battery; predicted usage life for the light source; and driven hours for the light source.

11. The combination of claim 7 , wherein the light source target time value comprises a light source target phase and the wireless RF signal transmitted by the camera non-video transmitter is an intermittent wireless RF signal, wherein a beginning of the intermittent RF signal represents ending of a target phase for operation of the light source of the light source unit and the beginning of light output, and wherein ending of the intermittent RF signal represents end of the light source target ON time for light output from the light source.

12. The combination of claim 7 , wherein the video camera controller is configured to transmit a light OFF signal through the camera non-video transmitter when the video camera unit is no longer collecting and transmitting video images, and
wherein in response to the light OFF signal, the light source controller is configured to prevent actuation of the light source.

13. Method of wirelessly synchronizing a camera shutter of an image sensor with operation of a light source for performing an endoscopic procedure comprising the steps of:
providing an endoscopic video camera unit including the image sensor and a camera controller connected to a wireless non-video transmitter and a wireless non-video receiver;
providing a portable endoscopic light source unit including a light source controller connected to a wireless non-video transmitter, a wireless non-video receiver and to a light source;
determining a target camera shutter period and a light source target ON time with the video camera unit;
determining one of a light source target phase and a light source target trigger time;
transmitting the target camera shutter period, the determined one of the light source target phase and the light sour

Assignees

• Nambakam Vasudev
• Stryker Corp

Inventors

• Nambakam Vasudev

Classifications

• H04N23/73

  by influencing the exposure time · CPC title

• H04N23/74

  by influencing the scene brightness using illuminating means · CPC title

• H04N23/555

  for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes · CPC title

• A61B1/044

  for absorption imaging · CPC title

• A61B1/00057 Primary

  provided with means for testing or calibration · CPC title