System for use in surgical procedures

1. A system for use in surgical procedures, comprising:

an endoscope;

an imaging device coupled to the endoscope,

wherein the endoscope is capable of transmitting at least an optical image of fluid in a surgical site to the imaging device;

at least one imaging processor coupled to the imaging device, the imaging processor being operative to perform at least differential analysis of the optical image of fluid in the surgical site; and

at least one management system coupled to the imaging processor, the management system being operative to perform at least one specified function,

wherein the imaging processor is further operative to transmit at least one communication to the management system pertaining to at least the differential analysis of the optical image of fluid in the surgical site, and

wherein the management system is further operative to automatically adjust the specified function upon receipt of the communication from the imaging processor.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the imaging device processes the optical image and transmits the image to the imaging processor.

3. The system of claim 2 further comprising a display unit coupled to the imaging processor, wherein the imaging processor further processes the image and transmits the image to the display unit.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein adjustments to the management system allow for adjustments to the image transmitted to the display unit.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the imaging device comprises a camera.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the imaging processor comprises a camera control unit.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one management system comprises a fluid management system.

8. A method of adjusting an image of a surgical site during a surgical procedure, comprising the steps of:

providing an endoscopic system including an endoscope, an imaging device coupled to the endoscope, at least one imaging processor coupled to the imaging device, at least one management system coupled to the imaging processor for performing at least one specified function, and a display unit coupled to the imaging processor;

obtaining at least an optical image of fluid in the surgical site by viewing the surgical site with the endoscope;

transmitting, by the imaging processor, the optical image to the display unit;

performing, by the imaging processor, at least differential analysis of the optical image of fluid in the surgical site;

transmitting, by the imaging processor, at least one communication to the management system pertaining to at least the differential analysis of the optical image of fluid in the surgical site; and

upon receipt of the communication from the imaging processor, automatically adjusting the specified function by the management system, adjustments to the specified function of the management system allowing for adjustments to the optical image transmitted to the display unit.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the at least one management system comprises a fluid management system.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

transmitting, by the endoscope, the optical image to the imaging device.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

processing, by the imaging device, the optical image; and

transmitting, by the imaging device, the optical image to the imaging processor.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the performing of the differential analysis of the optical image of fluid includes performing differential analysis of fluid motion in the surgical site.

13. A system for use in surgical procedures, comprising:

an endoscope;

an imaging device coupled to the endoscope;

an imaging processor coupled to the imaging device; and

at least one management system coupled to the imaging processor, the at least one management system comprising a fluid management system,

wherein a function of the management system is automatically adjusted upon receipt of a communication from the imaging processor in response to the detection of blood.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the endoscope is capable of transmitting an optical image to the imaging device.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the imaging device processes the optical image and transmits the optical image to the imaging processor.

16. The system of claim 15 further comprising a display unit coupled to the imaging processor, wherein the imaging processor further processes the optical image and transmits the optical image to the display unit.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein adjustments to the management system allow for adjustments to the optical image transmitted to the display unit.

18. The system of claim 13 wherein the imaging device comprises a camera.

19. The system of claim 13 wherein the imaging processor comprises a camera control unit.