Compact multi-viewing element endoscope system
The present specification is directed towards endoscopes, such as colonoscopes, that provide a broader field of view and allow extended access of surgical tools and also enable efficient packing of all necessary elements in the tip section, while maintaining their functionality. Also described are methods and systems for capturing and displaying still and video images using an endoscope corresponding to a left-side looking, a front-looking and a right-side looking viewing element of an endoscopic tip generated in a native aspect ratio.
1. A modular electronic assembly for a device usable for performing endoscopic procedures, wherein the modular electronic assembly comprises:
one or more first electronic components;
a first circuit board configured to carry the one or more first electronic components, wherein the first circuit board is flexible so as to allow the first circuit board to be folded from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration;
one or more second electronic components;
a second circuit board configured to carry the one or more second electronic components, wherein the second circuit board is flexible so as to allow the second circuit board to be folded from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration, and wherein the folded second circuit board receives the folded first circuit board therein;
wherein the second circuit board is Y-shaped and includes first, second, and third arms, wherein the second and third arms extend in parallel from an end of the first arm.
2. The modular electronic assembly of claim 1 , wherein portions of the folded second circuit board extend across a first side of the folded first circuit board, a second side of the folded first circuit board, a third side of the folded first circuit board, and a fourth side of the folded first circuit board, wherein the first and the second sides are opposite sides of the folded first circuit board, and wherein the third and the fourth sides are opposite sides of the folded first circuit board.
3. The modular electronic assembly of claim 1 , wherein portions of the folded second circuit board extend across a first side of the folded first circuit board, a second side of the folded first circuit board, and an end of the folded first circuit board, wherein the first and the second sides are opposite sides of the folded first circuit board, and wherein the end extends between the first and the second sides.
4. The modular electronic assembly of claim 1 , wherein one of the one or more first and the one or more second electronic components include one or more image sensors and lens assemblies.
5. The modular electronic assembly of claim 4 , wherein the other of the one or more first and the one or more second electronic components include a light-emitting light source.
6. A modular electronic assembly for a device usable for performing endoscopic procedures, wherein the modular electronic assembly comprises:
one or more first electronic components;
a first circuit board configured to carry the one or more first electronic components, wherein the first circuit board is flexible so as to allow the first circuit board to be folded from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration;
one or more second electronic components;
a second circuit board configured to carry the one or more second electronic components, wherein the second circuit board is flexible so as to allow the second circuit board to be folded from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration, and wherein the folded second circuit board wraps around the folded first circuit board, extending across at least three sides of the folded first circuit board;
wherein the second circuit board is Y-shaped, having:
a stem, and
two legs branching off from the stem.
7. The modular electronic assembly of claim 6 , wherein the at least three sides includes at least one pair of opposite sides of the folded first circuit board.
8. The modular electronic assembly of claim 6 , wherein the at least three sides includes at least two pairs of opposite sides of the folded first circuit board.
9. The modular electronic assembly of claim 6 , further including a frame configured to receive the first circuit board and maintain the first circuit board in the folded configuration.
10. The modular electronic assembly of claim 9 , wherein the second circuit board includes one or more tabs configured to extend into one or more recesses in the frame.
11. A modular electronic assembly for a device usable for performing endoscopic procedures, wherein the modular electronic assembly comprises:
one or more image sensors and lens assemblies, each of the one or more image sensors and lens assemblies having an optical axis;
a first circuit board configured to carry the one or more image sensors and lens assemblies, wherein the first circuit board is flexible so as to allow the first circuit board to be folded from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration;
one or more light sources, each of the one or more light sources having a surface through which light is emitted;
a second circuit board configured to carry the one or more light sources, wherein the second circuit board is flexible so as to allow the second circuit board to be folded from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration, and wherein the folded second circuit board receives the folded first circuit board therein, such that the surface faces in a same direction as the optical axis;
wherein the second circuit board includes at least one arm extending across a first side of the folded first circuit board, and at least one tab extending across a second side of the folded first circuit board, wherein the first and the second sides are adjacent sides of the folded first circuit board.
12. The modular electronic assembly of claim 11 , wherein the folded second circuit board carries a plurality of light sources, the surfaces of each of the plurality of light sources facing in the same direction as the optical axis.
13. The modular electronic assembly of claim 11 , wherein the at least one arm includes a plurality of arms.
14. The modular electronic assembly of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of arms include two parallel arms.
15. The modular electronic assembly of claim 14 , wherein the one or more image sensors and lens assemblies extend through a gap between the two parallel arms.
16. The modular electronic assembly of claim 11 , wherein the at least one tab includes a plurality of tabs.
17. The modular electronic assembly of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of tabs includes two parallel tabs.