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. An electronic assembly for a medical device, wherein the electronic assembly comprises:
a first optical assembly;
a first illuminator;
a second illuminator; and
a first circuit board configured to carry the first optical assembly, the first illuminator, and the second illuminator, 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, and wherein the first circuit board includes:
a distal portion including a front face, wherein the front face is planar and faces a distal direction, and wherein the first optical assembly, the first illuminator, and the second illuminator are mounted to the front face;
a proximal portion spaced from the distal portion, wherein the proximal portion is U-shaped; and
an intermediate portion connecting the distal portion to the proximal portion;
wherein the first illuminator is positioned on an opposite side of the optical assembly from the second illuminator.
2. The electronic assembly of claim 1 , wherein the proximal portion is planar in the unfolded configuration.
3. The electronic assembly of claim 1 , wherein the intermediate portion is substantially planar.
4. The electronic assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first circuit board includes a first bend connecting the distal portion to the intermediate portion; and wherein a second bend and a third bend form the U-shape of the proximal portion.
5. The electronic assembly of claim 1 , wherein a distalmost end of the optical assembly is distal to the first illuminator and the second illuminator.
6. The electronic assembly of claim 1 , wherein a second optical assembly is mounted to the proximal portion.
7. The electronic assembly of claim 6 , wherein a third optical assembly is mounted to the proximal portion.
8. The electronic assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a circuit board holder configured to hold the first circuit board in the folded configuration.
9. The electronic assembly of claim 8 , wherein the circuit board holder is a heat sink.
10. The electronic assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first optical assembly includes an image sensor and a lens assembly.
11. An electronic assembly for a medical device, wherein the electronic assembly comprises:
a first optical assembly;
a first illuminator;
a second illuminator; and
a first circuit board configured to carry the first optical assembly, the first illuminator, and the second illuminator, 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, and wherein the first circuit board includes:
a proximal portion including a planar surface extending longitudinally in a proximal-distal direction;
a distal portion including:
a first planar portion facing a distal direction, wherein the first optical assembly is mounted to the first planar portion;
a second planar portion positioned distal from the first planar portion, wherein the first illuminator is mounted to the second planar portion; and
a third planar portion positioned distal from the first planar portion and spaced from the second planar portion, wherein the second illuminator is mounted to the second planar portion;
wherein the first planar portion, the second planar portion, and the third planar portion are substantially parallel to each other and transverse to the planar surface of the proximal portion.
12. The electronic assembly of claim 11 , wherein the first optical assembly extends between the second planar portion and the third planar portion.
13. The electronic assembly of claim 12 , wherein each of the first planar portion, the second planar portion, and the third planar portion are connected to the proximal portion via at least one bend.
14. The electronic assembly of claim 12 , further comprising a circuit board holder configured to hold the first circuit board in the folded configuration.
15. The electronic assembly of claim 14 , wherein the circuit board holder includes a pair of end surfaces at a distalmost end of the circuit board holder, wherein a first end surface of the pair of end surfaces abuts the second planar portion and a second end surface of the pair of end surfaces abuts the third planar portion.
16. The electronic assembly of claim 15 , wherein the planar surface is substantially parallel to a fourth surface of the circuit board holder, wherein the fourth surface extends from a distalmost end of the circuit board holder to a proximalmost end of the circuit board holder.
17. An electronic assembly for a medical device, wherein the electronic assembly comprises:
a first optical assembly;
a first illuminator;
a second illuminator;
a first circuit board configured to carry the first optical assembly, the first illuminator, and the second illuminator, 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, and wherein the first circuit board includes:
a distal portion including:
a first planar portion facing a distal direction, wherein the first optical assembly is mounted to the first planar portion;
a second planar portion positioned distal from the first planar portion, wherein the first illuminator is mounted to the second planar portion; and
a third planar portion positioned distal from the first planar portion and spaced from the second planar portion, wherein the second illuminator is mounted to the second planar portion; and
a circuit board holder configured to hold the first circuit board in the folded configuration, wherein the circuit board holder includes:
a first end face at a distalmost end of the circuit board holder, wherein the first end face is coupled to the second planar portion; and
a second end face at a distalmost end of the circuit board holder, wherein the second end face is coupled to the third planar portion.
18. The electronic assembly of claim 17 , wherein the circuit board holder is a heat sink.
19. The electronic assembly of claim 17 , wherein the first optical assembly extends distal from the circuit board holder and the first circuit board.
20. The electronic assembly of claim 17 , wherein each of the first planar portion, the second planar portion, and the third planar portion are connected to the proximal portion via at least one bend.