Endoscope with dual image sensors
US10955657B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 26, 2019 |
| Grant date | Mar 23, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 26, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B23/2469
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An endoscopic camera has two or more cameras positioned at a distal end, positioned to provide partially overlapping fields of view. The cameras communicate captured digital images the length of the flexible endoscope, where they may be saved and processed to provide additional imaging features. With partially overlapping images from two or more cameras, image processing can provide panoramic images, super resolution images, and three-dimensional images. One or more of these image modes may also be enhanced to provide a virtualization window that displays a portion of a larger or higher resolution image. The virtualization window displays the selected area of the image, and may be moved or zoomed around the image to provide a virtual endoscope repositioning experience, where the endoscope remains statically positioned but the virtualization window presents a sense of movement and navigation around the surgical area.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.