Endoscope with variable direction of view module
A flexible variable direction of view endoscope with a pivotable view vector and a rotatable distal section.
1. A variable direction of view endoscope with a modular distal section comprising:
a main shaft, wherein said main shaft is flexible;
a rigid distal section connected to said main shaft and having a longitudinal axis, wherein said rigid distal section is rotatable relative to said main shaft;
a drive member that rotates said distal section about said longitudinal axis and relative to said main shaft;
a reflector disposed in said distal section pivotable about a pivot axis generally transverse to said longitudinal axis;
a drive member that rotates said reflector relative to said distal section; and
an objective optical system disposed in said distal section.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said drive member that rotates said distal section comprises a flexible first internal shaft running down the interior of said main shaft.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said drive member that rotates said reflector comprises a second internal shaft within said first internal shaft.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said second internal shaft houses a fiber optic bundle.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an image sensor disposed in said distal section.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said drive member that rotates said distal section comprises an actuator disposed in said main shaft.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said drive member that rotates said distal section comprises an actuator disposed in said distal section.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said drive member that rotates said reflector comprises an actuator disposed in said distal section.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a rotation pick-up device disposed in said distal section.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said rotation pick-up device comprises at least one accelerometer.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an illumination source disposed in said distal section.
12. A variable direction of view endoscope with a modular distal section, comprising:
a main shaft:
a rigid distal section connected to said main shaft and having a longitudinal axis, wherein said rigid distal section is rotatable relative to said main shaft;
a drive member that rotates said distal section about said longitudinal axis and relative to said main shaft;
a reflector disposed in said distal section pivotable about a pivot axis generally transverse to said longitudinal axis;
a drive member that rotates said reflector relative to said distal section; and
an objective optical system disposed in said distal section;
a slip-ring for providing electrical power across the rotary interface between said main shaft and said distal section.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said drive member that rotates said distal section comprises a flexible first internal shaft running down the interior of said main shaft.
14. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said drive member that rotates said reflector comprises a second internal shaft within said first internal shaft.
15. The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising an image sensor disposed in said distal section.
16. The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising a rotation pick-up device disposed in said distal section.
17. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said rotation pick-up device comprises at least one accelerometer.
18. The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising an illumination source disposed in said distal section.
19. A variable direction of view endoscope with a modular distal section comprising:
a main shaft;
a rigid distal section connected to said main shaft having a longitudinal axis, wherein said rigid distal section is rotatable relative to said main shaft;
a means for rotating said distal section relative to said main shaft;
a reflector disposed in said distal section pivotable about a pivot axis generally transverse to said longitudinal axis;
a means for rotating said reflector relative to said distal section; and
an objective optical system disposed in said distal section;
wherein said main shaft is flexible;
wherein said means for rotating said distal section comprises a flexible first internal shaft running down the interior of said main shaft;
wherein said means for rotating said reflector comprises a second internal shaft within said first internal shaft; and
wherein said second internal shaft houses a fiber optic bundle.
20. A variable direction of view endoscope with a modular distal section comprising:
a main shaft;
a rigid distal section connected to said main shaft having a longitudinal axis, wherein said rigid distal section is rotatable relative to said main shaft;
a means for rotating said distal section relative to said main shaft;
a slip-ring for providing electrical power across the rotary interface between said main shaft and said distal section;
a reflector disposed in said distal section pivotable about a pivot axis generally transverse to said longitudinal axis;
a means for rotating said reflector relative to said distal section; and
an objective optical system disposed in said distal section.