Patent ID: 6503195
Filing Date: 2003-01-07
Classification: A61B,G01B,G02B,G06T,H04N

Abstract:
A real-time structured light depth extraction system for producing real-time images in an endoscopic surgical environment comprising:(a) a projector for projecting structured light patterns onto an object inside of a patient's body, each structured light pattern including a plurality of pixels being simultaneously projected onto the object; (b) at least one endoscope optically coupled to the projector for communicating the structured light patterns from the projector to a first region inside of the patient's body and for communicating reflected structured light patterns from the first region to a second region outside of the patient's body; (c) a camera optically coupled to the endoscope for sampling the reflected light patterns and outputting digital signals indicative of the reflected light patterns; and (d) an image processor/controller coupled to the camera to receive the digital signals and extract depth information of the object in real time.