Endoscope with variable direction of view module
A flexible variable direction of view endoscope with a pivotable view vector and a rotatable distal section.
1. A variable direction of view endoscope, comprising:
a handle;
an endoscope shaft extending from the handle, the endoscope shaft having a main section extending longitudinally from a distal side of the handle, and a distal section extending longitudinally from a distal side of the main section, wherein the distal section of said endoscope shaft extends along a first longitudinal axis and is rotatable about said first longitudinal axis and relative to the main section of said endoscope shaft;
a first drive member that rotates the distal section of said endoscope shaft about said first longitudinal axis and relative to the main section of said endoscope shaft;
a reflector disposed in the distal section of said endoscope shaft, wherein said reflector is rotatable about a pivot axis generally transverse to said first longitudinal axis; and
a second drive member that rotates said reflector about said pivot axis;
wherein said first drive member comprises an actuator disposed in the distal section of said endoscope shaft.
2. The endoscope of claim 1 , wherein the distal section of said endoscope shaft is rigid, further comprising an objective optical system disposed in the distal section of said endoscope shaft.
3. The endoscope of claim 2 , wherein the main section of said endoscope shaft is flexible.
4. The endoscope of claim 2 , wherein the main section of said endoscope shaft is rigid.
5. The endoscope of claim 1 , wherein said first drive member comprises a first internal shaft extending longitudinally through the main section of said endoscope shaft.
6. The endoscope of claim 5 , wherein said second drive member comprises a second internal shaft within said first internal shaft.
7. The endoscope of claim 6 , further comprising a fiber optic bundle extending longitudinally through said second internal shaft.
8. The endoscope of claim 1 , further comprising an image sensor disposed in the distal section of said endoscope shaft.
9. The endoscope of claim 1 , wherein said second drive member comprises an actuator disposed in the distal section of said endoscope shaft.
10. The endoscope of claim 1 , further comprising a rotation pick-up device disposed in the distal section of said endoscope shaft.
11. The endoscope of claim 10 , wherein said rotation pick-up device comprises at least one accelerometer.
12. The endoscope of claim 1 , further comprising an illumination source disposed in the distal section of said endoscope shaft.
13. The endoscope of claim 1 , wherein the reflector is rotatable about the pivot axis in a plane of rotation that does not intersect said first longitudinal axis of the distal section.
14. The endoscope of claim 1 , wherein the main section defines a first external surface of the endoscope shaft, and the distal section defines a second external surface of the endoscope shaft.
15. The endoscope of claim 1 , wherein the main section of the endoscope shaft extends along a second longitudinal axis; and
wherein said first longitudinal axis and said second longitudinal axis are axially aligned.
16. The endoscope of claim 15 , wherein the main section of the endoscope shaft is rotationally fixed relative to the handle.
17. The endoscope of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a motor.
18. A variable direction of view endoscope, comprising:
a handle;
an endoscope shaft extending from the handle, the endoscope shaft having a main section extending longitudinally from a distal side of the handle, and a distal section extending longitudinally from a distal side of the main section, wherein the distal section of said endoscope shaft extends along a first longitudinal axis and is rotatable about said first longitudinal axis and relative to the main section of said endoscope shaft;
a first drive member that rotates the distal section of said endoscope shaft about said first longitudinal axis and relative to the main section of said endoscope shaft;
a reflector disposed in the distal section of said endoscope shaft, wherein said reflector is rotatable about a pivot axis generally transverse to said first longitudinal axis;
a second drive member that rotates said reflector about said pivot axis; and
an electrical connection configured to provide electrical power across a rotary interface between the main section and the distal section of said endoscope shaft.
19. The endoscope of claim 18 , further comprising an image sensor disposed in the distal section of said endoscope shaft.
20. The endoscope of claim 18 , further comprising a rotation pick-up device disposed in the distal section of said endoscope shaft.
21. The endoscope of claim 20 , wherein said rotation pick-up device comprises at least one accelerometer.
22. The endoscope of claim 18 , further comprising an illumination source disposed in the distal section of said endoscope shaft.
23. The endoscope of claim 18 , wherein the electrical connection is a rotating electrical connection.