Television – Special applications – With endoscope
Reexamination Certificate
1996-06-06
2001-09-25
Lee, Richard (Department: 2613)
Television
Special applications
With endoscope
C348S236000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295082
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to camera heads for use with remote video display systems such as video endoscopy systems, borescopes, and other devices.
Remote video display systems display a view of the interior of a body cavity or another visually inaccessible, remote location on a video monitor. Generally, a remote video display system includes a camera processor and a camera head having an endoscope for insertion into the remote location. The camera head produces electrical signals representing an image of the remote location, and the camera processor processes the electrical signals for display on the video monitor. To produce the electrical signals, a solid state imaging device such as a charge coupled device (“CCD”) is located in the tip of the endoscope or in the camera head.
The camera head and endoscope are typically detachable as a unit from the control unit so that a variety of camera heads can be used with a single control unit. This offers a number of advantages. For example, if a first camera head fails, the control unit can be operated with another camera head while the first camera head is being serviced. Also, different types of camera heads, each of which may be most useful for certain procedures, can be used with a single control unit so as to avoid the expense of purchasing and maintaining multiple control units.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one general aspect, this invention features an apparatus for providing electrical signals that represent an optical image to a processor for conversion to video signals suitable for display on a display device. The apparatus includes a device for insertion into a region to be viewed for developing an optical image of the region, an imager for generating electrical signals that represent the optical image, and a digital memory for storing information about the imager. The device is adapted to be connected to the processor so that the processor can receive the electrical signals from the imager and obtain information from the digital memory. The processor uses the information from the digital memory in performing the conversion.
Preferred embodiments of the invention include one or more of the features described below.
The digital memory stores information about the configuration of the imager. This information can include the location of the imager relative to the device. For example, the information identifies whether the imager is located at the distal end or the proximal end of the device. The imager is a charge coupled device. The information identifies an optical format size of the charge coupled device.
The digital memory also stores information about variations in performance characteristics of the imager relative to nominal performance characteristics. When the apparatus includes optics, the information in the digital memory accounts for variations in performance characteristics of the optics relative to nominal performance characteristics. Similarly, when the imager includes a charge coupled device or a cable for connection to the processor, the information accounts for variations in performance characteristics of the charge coupled device or the cable relative to nominal performance characteristics. The information also identifies variations in luminance and color reproduction by the imager.
When the apparatus is designed for application to particular regions, the information identifies characteristics of the region to be viewed by the imager. This allows the processor to optimize the conversion for parameters that are desirable in a particular application.
The digital memory is updated by the processor. For example, the digital memory stores run time information that measures wear on the imager, and the processor updates the run time information from time to time.
In one embodiment, the digital memory is a non-volatile storage device, and can be implemented using an EEPROM.
In another aspect, the invention features an apparatus for representing an optical image as video signals suitable for display on a display device. The apparatus includes a device for producing electrical signals representative of an optical image of a region to be viewed, and having a portion for insertion into the region to be viewed for developing an optical image of the region, an imager for generating electrical signals that represent the optical image, and a digital memory for storing information about the device. The apparatus also includes a processor that receives the electrical signals from the imager and converts the electrical signals into video signals. The processor also obtains information from the digital memory and uses the information in the conversion.
Preferred embodiments include one or more of the features described below.
When the information stored in the digital memory identifies the configuration of the device, the processor modifies the conversion based on the configuration. This allows the processor to automatically optimize the conversion for different configurations of the device.
The processor also stores nominal values of performance characteristics for the device. In this case, the digital memory identifies variations in performance characteristics of the device relative to the nominal performance characteristics, and the processor modifies the conversion based on the variations in performance characteristics. This allows the processor to further optimize the conversion to account for characteristics of the particular device to which it is attached.
When the processor updates information, such as run time information, in the digital memory, the processor only does so at times at which it is not converting the electrical signals into video signals. Typically, the processor converts the electrical signals into video signals during a first time period and ignores the electrical signals during a second time period. Thus, to avoid interference of the information being updated with the electrical signals, the processor updates the information stored in the digital memory only during the second time period.
The apparatus also includes a driver that produces driving signals that drive the imager. In this case, when the digital memory identifies a configuration of the device, the processor signals the driver to modify the driving signals based on the configuration of the device.
The digital memory also stores verification information that verifies whether the information stored in the digital memory is valid. The processor uses the verification information to determine whether the information stored in the digital memory is valid and whether the processor has received the information correctly.
Some embodiments also include a memory having entries in which are stored signal processing parameters used by the processor in performing the conversion. In this case, the processor modifies the conversion by modifying entries of the memory that relate to information received from the digital memory.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, and from the claims.
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Gilbert F. Amelio, “Charge-Coupled De
Burnett Michael R.
Dowdy Clifford A.
Fields William P.
Womack Garry L.
Fish & Richardson P.C.
Lee Richard
Smith & Nephew Inc.
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