Abstract:
A steerable endoscope 100 has an elongated body 102 with a selectively steerable distal portion 104 and an automatically controlled proximal portion 106. The endoscope body is inserted into a patient and the selectively steerable distal portion 104 is used to select a desired path within the patient's body. When the endoscope body is advanced, an electronic motion controller 140 operates the automatically controlled proximal portion 106 to assume the selected curve of the selectively steerable distal portion 104. Another desired path is selected with the selectively steerable distal portion and the endoscope body is advanced again. As the endoscope body is further advanced, the selected curves propagate proximally along the endoscope body, and when the endoscope body is withdrawn proximally, the selected curves propagate distally along the endoscope body. The creates a serpentine motion in the endoscope body allowing it to negotiate tortuous curves along a desired path through or around and between organs within the body.
Abstract:
Multiple-sensor motion synchronization in a multi-viewing element endoscope system is achieved by rotating CMOS image sensors, relative to each other, and programming each CMOS image sensor to scan in specific directions. Frames collected from scans at different times are stored, processed, and displayed to form a complete image.
Abstract:
A feeding tube assembly having a flexible feeding tube with an imaging assembly including an illumination source configured to illuminate an ambient environment of the imaging assembly and an imaging device configured to generate and transmit imaging signals indicative of images of an alimentary canal of a subject is disclosed. The feeding tube assembly has controller in communication with the illumination source wherein the controller is configured to energize the illumination source during an acceptable illumination condition. A method of facilitating operation of the flexible feeding tube with an imaging assembly including an imaging device and an illumination source and a controller is also disclosed. The imaging assembly is configured to generate imaging signals indicative of images of an alimentary canal of a subject. The illumination source is configured to illuminate an ambient environment of the imaging assembly. The controller is configured to receive the imaging signals and control the illumination source during an acceptable illumination condition. The method involves energizing the illumination source when an acceptable illumination condition is present and de-energizing the illumination source when the acceptable illumination condition is not present.
Abstract:
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Durchführung einer optischen dreidimensionalen Aufnahme (4) unter Verwendung einer handgehaltenen dentalen Kamera (2), wobei die Kamera (2) während der Vermessung mehrere einzelne optische Aufnahmen (4) nacheinander mit einer festgelegten Frequenz automatisch aufnimmt, wobei die einzelnen dreidimensionalen optischen Aufnahmen (4) zu einer Gesamtaufnahme eines zu vermessenden dentalen Objekts (1) durch Registrierung zusammengefügt werden. Vor der Durchführung der Vermessung wird mittels einer Anzeigevorrichtung (6) ein dreidimensionales Standardkiefermodell (7) angezeigt, wobei ein erster Kontrollpunkt (10) am Standardkiefermodell (7) mittels der Anzeigevorrichtung (6) angezeigt wird. Die handgehaltene dentale Kamera (2) wird dann relativ zum aufzunehmenden Objekt (1) so positioniert, dass die Kamera (2) auf den ersten Kontrollpunkt (10) des Standardkiefermodells (7) zeigt und einen entsprechenden Aufnahmenbereich des dentalen Objekts (1) aufnimmt.
Abstract:
A Laparoscopic Visualization System comprising a sterile, self-contained, disposable apparatus used in medical procedures for heating and applying an anti-fog solution to the distal end of laparoscopes or surgical devices is presented. It additionally serves as an endoscopic lens protector and cleaner. An efficient heating and narrow range temperature control mechanism is used in combination with an anti-fog solution to provide clear visualization through a distal lens of the surgical device inserted into the system. The configuration prevents the anti-fog solution from spilling out of the system and is designed to also be used as a holder for the surgical scope, protecting the distal lens from impact with a shock absorbent outer shell, prior to, during, and after a medical procedure.
Abstract:
The invention provides a system (100) for acquiring cervical images which comprises an image acquisition subsystem (120) for acquiring cervical images (122) of a cervical region of a patient during a colposcopy procedure, and a display subsystem (160) for displaying the cervical images on a display (060) by providing image data (162) of the cervical images to the display. According to the invention, the image acquisition subsystem (120) is arranged for, when operating in an interval mode, acquiring the cervical images (122) at predetermined time intervals to obtain a time-series of cervical images showing changes in the cervical region over time, and reporting a progress of said acquiring to the display subsystem. Moreover, the display subsystem (160) is arranged for establishing a progress indicator (400-416) on the display by generating indicator data (164) and providing the indicator data to the display (060), the progress indicator providing visual feedback on the progress of said acquiring to a user. Accordingly, the user is provided with visual feedback on a status of the acquiring of the cervical images. In particular, the progress indicator avoids that the user experiences a loss of control or confusion.