Patent ID: 6310642
Filing Date: 2001-10-30
Classification: A61B,H01L,H04N

Abstract:
An endoscope with integral imaging capability comprising:a handle for grasping by a surgeon, said handle having an interior opening;a tubular portion including a distal end, a proximal end and a central passageway extending therethrough, said tubular portion connected at said proximal end to said handle;an image sensor lying in a first plane and including an array of CMOS pixels, said image sensor positioned near said distal end of said tubular portion for receiving images of a surgical site, said image sensor producing an image signal;circuitry means electrically coupled to said image sensor for timing and control of said image sensor, said circuitry means for timing and control placed within said tubular portion;a video processor board placed within said interior opening of said handle and in electric communication with said image sensor, said video processor board including circuitry means for processing said image signal; anda power supply electrically coupled to said image sensor and said video processor board.