Multiple viewing elements endoscope system with modular imaging units
An optical assembly adapted to be positioned within an endoscope tip and having three modular camera units, comprising: a front modular camera unit defined by a front central axis and a first and second side modular camera units defined by first and second side central axes that are substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the front central axis. Each modular camera unit further comprises a holder for housing an associated optical element and an image sensor in data communication with a corresponding printed circuit board. The front, first side and second side modular camera units are respectively positioned in first, second and third compartments of an assembly holder.
1. A modular camera unit adapted to be positioned within an endoscope tip comprising:
a first optical element for receiving reflected light, said first optical element being defined by a first central axis;
a second optical element for receiving reflected light, said second optical element being defined by a second central axis, wherein said first central axis is perpendicular to the second central axis;
a holder for housing said first optical element and said second optical element, wherein the holder comprises a first compartment defined by a first wall and a curved base and a second compartment defined by said first wall, a second wall, and a third wall, wherein the first optical element is positioned in the first compartment and the second optical element is positioned in the second compartment, and wherein the holder comprises a first slit positioned between the third wall and second wall;
a sensor for detecting said reflected light, wherein said sensor is attached to a surface of said holder and in optical communication with said optical element;
a printed circuit board having a planar surface and positioned in said first slit; and
a connector connecting said sensor with said printed circuit board, wherein the connector places said sensor in data communication with said printed circuit and wherein the planar surface of said printed circuit board is positioned in parallel to said first central axis defined by the first optical element.
2. The modular camera unit of claim 1 , wherein the connector is a flat, planar structure comprising a rectangular first part having a first width and a first length separating a first end and a second end and a rectangular second part having a second length and a second width defining a first side and a second side, wherein the first width is less than the second width and the first length is longer than the second length.
3. The modular camera unit of claim 2 , wherein the first end is connected to the sensor and the second end is connected to the second part of the connector.
4. The modular camera unit of claim 3 , wherein the first side is attached to the printed circuit board.
5. The modular camera unit of claim 4 , wherein the rectangular second part is substantially perpendicular to the printed circuit board.
6. The modular camera unit of claim 1 , wherein the holder comprises a substantially cylindrical housing and a base platform having a first surface and a second surface opposing said first surface, wherein the cylindrical housing is attached to the first surface.
7. The modular camera unit of claim 6 , wherein the sensor is attached to the second surface.
8. An optical assembly adapted to be positioned within an endoscope tip and having three modular camera units, comprising:
an assembly holder comprising a first compartment defined by a first wall and a curved base, a second compartment defined by said first wall, a second wall, and a third wall, and a third compartment defined by the first wall, the second wall, and a fourth wall;
a front modular camera unit, wherein the front modular camera is positioned in the first compartment, said front modular camera unit comprising:
a front optical element for receiving reflected light, said front optical element being defined by a front central axis;
a front holder for housing said front optical element;
a front sensor for detecting said reflected light, wherein said front sensor is attached to a surface of said front holder and in optical communication with said front optical element;
a front printed circuit board having a planar surface; and
a front connector connecting said front sensor with said front printed circuit board, wherein the front connector places said front sensor in data communication with said front printed circuit and wherein the planar surface of said front printed circuit board is positioned in parallel to said front central axis defined by the front optical element
a first side modular camera unit, wherein the first side modular camera is positioned in the second compartment, the first side modular camera unit comprising
a first side optical element for receiving reflected light, said first side optical element being defined by a first side central axis, wherein said first side central axis is substantially perpendicular to said front central axis;
a first side holder for housing said first side optical element;
a first side sensor for detecting said reflected light, wherein said first side sensor is attached to a surface of said first side holder and in optical communication with said first side optical element; and
a first side printed circuit board having a planar surface, wherein the first side printed circuit board extends outward from said first side sensor and is substantially perpendicular to said first side central axis; and
a second side modular camera unit, wherein the second side modular camera is positioned in the third compartment, said second side modular camera unit comprising:
a second side optical element for receiving reflected light, said second side optical element being defined by a second side central axis, wherein said second side central axis is substantially perpendicular to said front central axis and is substantially parallel to said first side central axis and wherein the second side optical element points in a direction opposite to the first side optical element;
a second side holder for housing said second side optical element;
a second side sensor for detecting said reflected light, wherein said second side sensor is attached to a surface of said second side holder and in optical communication with said second side optical element; and
a second side printed circuit board having a planar surface, wherein the second side printed circuit board extends outward from said second side sensor and is substantially perpendicular to said second side central axis;
further wherein the assembly holder comprises a first slit positioned between the third wall and second wall for receiving the first side printed circuit board.
9. The optical assembly of claim 8 wherein the front printed circuit board, first side printed circuit board, and second side printed circuit board are positioned adjacent to, and in parallel with, each other.
10. The optical assembly of claim 8 wherein the assembly holder comprises a second slit positioned between the fourth wall and second wall for receiving the second side printed circuit board.
11. The optical assembly of claim 8 , wherein the front connector is a flat, planar structure comprising a rectangular first part having a first width and a first length separating a first end and a second end and a rectangular second part having a second length and a second width defining a first side and a second side, wherein the first width is less than the second width and the first length is longer than the second length.
12. The optical assembly of claim 11 , wherein the first end is connected to the sensor and the second end is connected to the second part of the connector and wherein the first part is positioned atop the third compartment and is perpendicular to the first wall and fourth wall.
13. The optical assembly of claim 12 , wherein the first side is attached to the front printed circuit board.
14. The optical assembly of claim 13 , wherein the rectangular second part is substantially perpendicular to the front printed circuit board.