Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

Configurations of a reduced area imaging device include the image sensor placed remote from the remaining circuitry, or all of the circuitry to include the image sensor placed in a stacked fashion at the same location. The entire imaging device can be placed at the distal tip of an endoscope or within a simple tubular structure, or the image sensor can be remote from the remaining circuitry, wherein a control box which communicates with the image sensor is placed remotely from the image sensor. The imaging device can be incorporated in the housing of a standard medical camera adapted for use with traditional rod lens endoscopes. In any of the configurations, the image sensor may be placed alone on a first circuit board, or timing and control circuits may be included on the first circuit board containing the image sensor. One or more video processing boards can be stacked in a longitudinal fashion with respect to the first board, or the video processing boards may be placed in the control box. The small size of the tubular structure or microendoscope which houses the imaging device allows its use with many surgical instruments which traditionally do not have integral imaging capability such as Jackson grasping forceps; stent placement catheters; balloon catheters; over-tube tissue separating, dissecting or fulgeration devices; modified endotracheal intubation devices or trochars resulting in unique methods of performing surgical tasks by providing imaging capability throughout all stages of introducing and removing the instruments from within the body of a patient.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim