Multi-camera endoscope
A tip section of a multi-camera endoscope includes a front-pointing camera on a planar surface of a distal end of the tip section and two side-pointing cameras positioned on a cylindrical surface in proximity to the planar surface such that the side field of view provided by the two side-pointing cameras partially overlaps with the front field of view provided by the front-pointing camera. The tip section further includes a working channel configured for insertion of a surgical tool; and a pathway fluid injector for inflating and/or cleaning a body cavity into which the endoscope is inserted.
1. A tip section of a multi-camera endoscope, the tip section having a cylindrical surface and a distal end having a planar surface perpendicular to said cylindrical surface, comprising:
a front-pointing camera, wherein the front-pointing camera comprises a lens assembly providing a front field of view of at least 120 degrees and a focal length of approximately 3-100 millimeters, wherein the front-pointing camera is positioned on the planar surface of the distal end of the tip section;
two side-pointing cameras each having a center positioned approximately 7 to 11 millimeters from the planar surface of the distal end, wherein each of said two side-pointing cameras has a side field of view of at least 120 degrees, has a focal length of approximately 2-33 millimeters, is positioned on said cylindrical surface and has a discrete illuminator associated therewith, wherein the side field of view provided by said two side-pointing cameras partially overlaps with the front field of view such that an object of interest viewed by said one of said two side-pointing cameras remains in the side field of view of said side-pointing camera while said tip section is being turned towards the object and at least until the object becomes visible in the front field of view;
a working channel configured for insertion of a surgical tool; and
a pathway fluid injector for inflating and/or cleaning a body cavity into which the endoscope is inserted.
2. The tip section according to claim 1 , further comprising two or more side fluid injectors configured for cleaning said two side-pointing cameras and/or said discrete side illuminators wherein each of said two or more side fluid injectors is positioned on said cylindrical surface.
3. The tip section according to claim 1 , wherein said two side-pointing cameras are pointing at directions essentially opposing to one another.
4. The tip section according to claim 1 , comprising three or more side-pointing cameras positioned essentially at equal distances from each other along the perimeter of said tip section.
5. The tip section according to claim 1 , wherein each of said illuminators comprises a light-emitting diode (LED) and wherein each of said illuminators is positioned on said cylindrical surface.
6. A multi-camera endoscope comprising an elongated shaft terminating with a tip section turnable by way of a bending section, wherein said tip section has a cylindrical surface and a distal end having a planar surface perpendicular to said cylindrical surface, and comprises:
a front-pointing camera, wherein the front-pointing camera comprises a lens assembly providing a front field of view of at least 120 degrees and a focal length of approximately 3-100 millimeters, wherein the front-pointing camera is positioned on the planar surface of the distal end of the tip section;
two side-pointing cameras each having a center positioned approximately 7 to 11 millimeters from the planar surface of the distal end, wherein each of said two or more side-pointing cameras has a side field of view of at least 120 degrees, has a focal length of approximately 2-33 millimeters, is positioned on said cylindrical surface and has a discrete illuminator associated therewith, wherein the side field of view provided by said two side-pointing cameras partially overlaps with the front field of view such that an object of interest viewed by said one of said two side-pointing cameras remains in the side field of view of said side-pointing camera while said tip section is being turned towards the object and at least until the object becomes visible in the front field of view;
a working channel configured for insertion of a surgical tool; and
a pathway fluid injector for inflating and/or cleaning a body cavity into which the endoscope is inserted.
7. The multi-camera endoscope according to claim 6 , wherein said tip section further comprises two or more side fluid injectors configured for cleaning said two side-pointing cameras and/or said discrete side illuminators and wherein each of said two or more side fluid injectors is positioned on said cylindrical surface.
8. The multi-camera endoscope according to claim 6 , wherein said two side-pointing cameras are pointing at directions essentially opposing to one another.
9. The tip section according to claim 6 , wherein said tip section comprises three or more side-pointing cameras positioned essentially at equal distances from each other along the perimeter of said tip section.