Endoscope imaging and control systems and methods for use in diagnostic and therapeutic medical procedures
Endoscopic viewing systems for use in diagnostic and therapeutic medical procedures. More specifically, an imaging and control system and coupler that allows for control of imaging and fluid management from a hand-held unit coupled to a conventional multiple-use, sterilizable endoscope.
1. An endoscopic system comprising:
a handle with a rotatable C-mount coupler assembly for coupling to a proximal end of an endoscope;
an image sensor carried by the rotatable C-mount coupler assembly;
at least one of an accelerometer and a gyroscope carried by the rotatable C-mount coupler assembly;
a cable sheath extending away from the handle; and
one or more flex circuit ribbons extending within the cable sheath, wherein the one or more flex circuit ribbons are connected to the rotatable C-mount coupler assembly to allow for rotation of the rotatable C-mount coupler assembly.
2. The endoscopic system of claim 1 , wherein the rotatable C-mount coupler assembly comprises a spool around which the one or more flex circuit ribbons are coiled.
3. The endoscopic system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more flex circuit ribbons are configured with at least one of a coiled form, a spiral form or a folded form.
4. The endoscopic system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a controller and an image processor coupled to the image sensor and the at least one accelerometer or gyroscope; and
a controller algorithm adapted to acquire signals from the at least one accelerometer and gyroscope caused by rotation of the C-mount coupler assembly and thereafter rotate a displayed image in response to the signals to correct an orientation of the displayed image to a selected configuration.
5. The endoscopic system of claim 4 , further comprising a fluid management system controlled by the controller, and at least one actuator in the handle for adjusting operating parameters of the fluid management system.
6. The endoscopic system of claim 5 , wherein the controller includes algorithms for operating a fluid inflow source and a negative pressure source of the fluid management system to maintain fluid pressure in a working space within a set pressure range.
7. The endoscopic system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more flex circuit ribbons extend from the image sensor to a fixed location in the handle, wherein the one or more flex circuit ribbons are configured with a slack portion in an interior of the handle.
8. The endoscopic system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more flex circuit ribbons extend from the at least one of the accelerometer or the gyroscope to a fixed location in the handle, wherein the one or more flex circuit ribbons are configured with a slack portion in an interior of the handle.
9. The endoscopic system of claim 1 , wherein the rotatable C-mount coupler assembly is configured to rotate at least 90° about its axis in the handle.
10. The endoscopic system of claim 1 , further comprising a light source adapted for coupling to the endoscope and at least one actuator in the handle for adjusting operating parameters of light source.
11. The endoscopic system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one actuator in the handle for operating the image sensor to capture images or videos.
12. A method for orienting an endoscope image on a display comprising:
providing a C-mount coupler carrying an image sensor for displaying an image on a display, wherein the C-mount coupler carries at least one of an accelerometer and a gyroscope carried by the C-mount coupler, wherein the C-mount coupler is rotatably disposed in a handle, wherein the handle partially houses a cable sheath extending away from the handle, wherein the cable sheath carries one or more flex circuit ribbons connected to the C-mount coupler to allow for rotation of the C-mount coupler;
attaching the C-mount coupler to an endoscope;
acquiring signals from at least one accelerometer and gyroscope caused by rotation of the C-mount coupler; and
rotating the image on the display in response to the signals to correct an orientation to a selected configuration.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the C-mount coupler is rotatably disposed in a handle member.
14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising rotating the C-mount coupler and manipulating the image electronically.
15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the C-mount coupler comprises a spool around which the one or more flex circuit ribbons are coiled.
16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the one or more flex circuit ribbons are configured with at least one of a coiled form, a spiral form or a folded form.
17. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
a controller and an image processor coupled to the image sensor and the at least one accelerometer or gyroscope; and
a controller algorithm adapted to acquire signals from the at least one accelerometer and gyroscope caused by rotation of the C-mount coupler and thereafter rotate a displayed image in response to the signals to correct an orientation of the displayed image to a selected configuration.
18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the one or more flex circuit ribbons extend from the image sensor to a fixed location in the handle, wherein the one or more flex circuit ribbons are configured with a slack portion in an interior of the handle.
19. The method of claim 12 , wherein the one or more flex circuit ribbons extend from the at least one of the accelerometer or the gyroscope to a fixed location in the handle, wherein the one or more flex circuit ribbons are configured with a slack portion in an interior of the handle.
20. The method of claim 12 , further comprising a light source adapted for coupling to the endoscope and at least one actuator in the handle for adjusting operating parameters of light source.