Abstract:
There is provided herein a camera assembly for use with a medical probe, such as an endoscope, the assembly comprising a main body configured to be mounted on an endoscope tip section, wherein said main body comprises at least one camera and at least one illumination source.

Description:
REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Priority is claimed to U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/449,739, filed on Mar. 7, 2011. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a camera assembly for medical probes, such as endoscopes. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Medical probes, such as endoscopes have attained great acceptance within the medical community, since they provide a means for performing procedures with minimal patient trauma, while enabling the physician to view the internal anatomy of the patient. Over the years, numerous endoscopes have been developed and categorized according to specific applications, such as cystoscopy, colonoscopy, laparoscopy, upper GI endoscopy and others. Endoscopes may be inserted into the body&#39;s natural orifices or through an incision in the skin. 
         [0004]    An endoscope is usually an elongated tubular shaft, rigid or flexible, having a video camera or a fiber optic lens assembly at its distal end. The shaft is connected to a handle, which sometimes includes an ocular for direct viewing. Viewing is also usually possible via an external screen. Various surgical tools may be inserted through a working channel in the endoscope for performing different surgical procedures. 
         [0005]    Endoscopes, such as colonoscopes, that are currently being used, typically have a front camera for viewing the internal organ, such as the colon, an illuminator, a fluid injector for cleaning the camera lens and sometimes also the illuminator and a working channel for insertion of surgical tools, for example, for removing polyps found in the colon. Often, endoscopes also have fluid injectors (“jet”) for cleaning a body cavity, such as the colon, into which they are inserted. The illuminators commonly used are fiber optics which transmit light, generated remotely, to the endoscope tip section. The use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for illumination is also known. 
         [0006]    Among the disadvantages of such endoscopes, are their limited field of view. Typical endoscopes, such as colonoscopes generally have only a front pointing camera. In some cases, particularly in colonoscopy, a polyp, a lesion or even a tumor may be located on an inner side of a fold of the colon, such that it is hidden from the field of view of the front camera. This phenomena is said to greatly contribute to the common statistics, according to which as many as 12-24% of polyps are missed during colonoscopy. Missing polyps, or a “false negative” diagnosis, may result in late discovery of cancer. 
         [0007]    There is thus a need in the art for endoscopes, such as colonoscopes, that allow a broader field of view and significantly reduce the percentage a “false negative” diagnosis. 
         [0008]    The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the figures. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. 
         [0010]    There is provided herein, according to some embodiments of the invention a camera assembly for providing or improving visualization capability of a medical probe, such as but not limited to, an endoscope and more specifically a colonoscope, the assembly comprising a main body configured to be mounted on a tip section of a medical probe, wherein the main body comprises: at least one camera, and at least one illumination source. 
         [0011]    The main body may essentially be in a ring shape. The main body may essentially be in a shape of a partially opened ring. The main body may comprise a sleeve. The main body may include a clamp configured to be clamped to the tip section. The main body may essentially be made of an elastic material. 
         [0012]    The main body may be configured to be mounted on the tip section (of the medical probe) such that the at least one camera and at least one illumination source are pointing rearwards, towards the proximal part of the tip section (of the medical probe). 
         [0013]    The main body may be configured to be mounted on the tip section (of the medical probe) such that the at least one camera and at least one illumination source are pointing forward. 
         [0014]    The main body may be configured to be mounted on the tip section (of the medical probe) such that the at least one camera and at least one illumination source are pointing rearwards, towards the proximal part of the tip section (of the medical probe) and at least one camera and at least one illumination source are pointing forward. 
         [0015]    The assembly may include two cameras. The assembly may include three or more cameras. 
         [0016]    According to some embodiments, the assembly may further include a utility cable configured to receive video signal from the at least one camera. The utility cable may further be configured to supply electrical power to the at least one camera. 
         [0017]    According to some embodiments, the at least one illumination source comprises at least one discrete illuminator. According to some embodiments, the at least one discrete illuminator comprises a light-emitting diode (LED). According to some embodiments, the at least one illumination source is configured to emit white light. According to some embodiments, the at least one illumination source is configured to emit ultraviolet light. According to some embodiments, the at least one illumination source is configured to emit infrared light. According to some embodiments, the at least one illumination source is configured to emit near-infrared light. According to some embodiments, the at least one illumination source comprises at least two illumination sources, which are configured to emit light at different wavelengths. According to some embodiments, the at least one camera comprises an image sensor such as, but not limited to, Charge Coupled Device (CCD) or a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. 
         [0018]    According to some embodiments, the image sensor may be configured to wirelessly transmit an image signal. 
         [0019]    According to some embodiments, the at least one camera comprises a lens assembly providing a field of view of 90 degrees or more. According to some embodiments, the at least one camera comprises a lens assembly providing a field of view of 120 degrees or more. According to some embodiments, the at least one camera comprises a lens assembly providing a focal length of approximately 3-100 millimeters. 
         [0020]    According to some embodiments, the medical probe is without visualization capabilities. According to some embodiments, the medical probe is an endoscope, having visualization capabilities. According to some embodiments, the endoscope is a colonoscope. 
         [0021]    It is noted that the term “medical probe” may refer to any instrument used to examine and/or treat the interior of a hollow organ or cavity of the body. The medical probe may or may not have visualization capabilities, such as cameras, depending on the use or application thereof. The term “endoscope” as mentioned to herein may refer to any medical probe, typically, having visualization capabilities, such as cameras or any other visualization functionalities such as imaging means. The term “endoscope” may refer to a colonoscope, according to some embodiments, but is not limited only to colonoscopes. 
         [0022]    In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the figures and by study of the following detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0023]    Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are generally chosen for convenience and clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. The figures are listed below. 
           [0024]      FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of a camera assembly for use with an endoscope, according to some embodiments; 
           [0025]      FIG. 1B  shows a perspective view of camera assembly for use with an endoscope, according to some embodiments; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of camera assembly for use with an endoscope, according to some embodiments; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3A  shows a perspective view of an endoscope tip having camera assembly, according to some embodiments; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3B  shows a perspective view of an endoscope tip having camera assembly, according to some embodiments; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4A  shows a perspective view of an endoscope tip having camera assembly, according to some embodiments; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4B  shows a perspective view of an endoscope tip having camera assembly, according to some embodiments; 
           [0031]      FIGS. 5A and 5B , each show a perspective view of an endoscope tip having camera assembly; and 
           [0032]      FIGS. 6A and 6B , each show a perspective view of a probe tip. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    An aspect of some embodiments relates to a camera assembly having one or more cameras and configured to work in conjunction with an endoscope. 
         [0034]    The camera assembly, according to embodiments of the invention, may be attachable to an endoscope and advantageously, enhance the endoscope&#39;s detection capabilities by adding a rear perspective view to the endoscope and allow a higher detection rate of pathological objects that exist in the body cavity, compared to conventional endoscopes. 
         [0035]    Advantageously, camera chamber may include one or more cameras and optionally other elements (such as a light source and the like) which may be uniquely scaled, configured and packaged so that they fit within the minimalistic space available inside the chamber, while still providing valuable results. 
         [0036]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, which show perspective views of a camera assembly for use with an endoscope, such as a colonoscope, according to some embodiments. 
         [0037]    Camera assembly  100  is configured as to be mounted on a tip section of an endoscope, such as a colonoscope. Camera assembly  100  may be used as an add-on device to an existing endoscope (e.g., a colonoscope). As mentioned herein, existing colonoscopes, generally include only one camera, which is a front looking camera. In some cases, particularly in colonoscopy, a polyp, a lesion or a tumor may be located on an inner side of a fold of the colon, such that it is hidden from the field of view of the front camera. The camera assembly according to embodiments of the invention, includes at least one camera pointing at a different direction than the front pointing camera of an existing endoscope, and is thus adapted to solve the problem of limited field of view. Such camera assemblies are configured to be mounted on existing endoscopes (e.g., colonoscopes) and increase the detection capability of the endoscopes. Camera assembly  100  include a main body  102  having a ring shape which is configured to be mounted on the tip section of an endoscope. It is noted that main body  102  is shown herein having a ring shape but it can also have other shapes or forms, such as, but not limited to, a partially opened ring shape, a sleeve shape, a clamp or any other appropriate form. Main body  102  includes a camera  116 , which upon assembling of camera assembly  100  on the tip section of the endoscope is adapted to point rearwards, or in other words, to point towards the proximal end of the endoscope. Thus, when camera assembly  100  is assembled on the tip section, the endoscope has one front pointing camera (originally made with the endoscope) and one rear pointing camera such as camera  116  (which was added by the use of camera assembly  100 ). It is noted that camera  116  is shown to be a rear pointing camera, but may also be a side pointing camera). It is noted that term “camera” may refer to an image sensor such as, but not limited to, Charge Coupled Device (CCD) or a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. 
         [0038]    Camera  116  is located inside a camera chamber  110  which may be connected to, attached to or integrally formed with main body  102  at the main body outer surface  104 . 
         [0039]    Camera chamber  110  accommodates camera  116  and illuminators  118 , which may be associated with camera  116  and used for illuminating camera&#39;s  116  field of view. 
         [0040]    Optionally, one or more illuminators  118  may be present in camera assembly  100  (for example in camera chamber  110 ) and may be used for supplying overall stronger illumination and/or for increasing the angular coverage of the illumination. 
         [0041]    Illuminators  118  may be discrete illuminators. The term “discrete”, concerning discrete illuminator, may refer to an illumination source, which generates light internally—in contrast to a non-discrete illuminator, which may be, for example, a fiber optic merely transmitting light generated remotely. 
         [0042]    Discrete illuminators  118  which is optionally a light-emitting diode (LED), may be a white light LED, an infrared light LED, a near infrared light LED, an ultraviolet light LED or any other LED. 
         [0043]    A utility cable  122  may include a power cable, which may be configured to supply electrical power to one or more illuminators  118  and to camera  116  and a data cable which may be configured to deliver video stream from camera  116  to an external controller (not shown). Camera  116  and/or illuminators  118  may also receive power from a battery. 
         [0044]    A utility pathway  120  may be located at chamber back end  112  and configured to accommodate utility cable  122 . 
         [0045]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 2 , which shows a camera assembly  200  in a perspective view, according to an embodiment. 
         [0046]    According to some embodiments, camera assembly  200 , which may be similar to camera assembly  100 , may include a main body  202 , which may be similar to main body  102  and two or more camera chambers  210 A and  210 B, which may be similar to camera chambers  110 . Each camera chamber  210 A and  210 B may be configured to accommodate a camera  216  (A and B, respectively) which may be similar to camera  116  and illuminators  218  and  219 , respectively, which may be similar to illuminators  118  and associated with cameras  216 A and  216  B and used for illuminating cameras  216 A and  216 B field of view. 
         [0047]    Cameras  216 A and  216 B may be configured to increase camera assembly  200  field of view and increase the detection rate of objects of interest (such as a polyp and other pathologies). 
         [0048]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B, each showing a perspective view of an endoscope tip having camera assembly (may be referred to as an endoscope system), according to some embodiments. 
         [0049]    Endoscope system  300  may include an endoscope tip section  350  and a camera assembly  100 , which include main body  102 . 
         [0050]    Main body  102  may have an inner diameter which may be adapted to fit endoscope tip section  350  outer diameter and which enables camera assembly  100  to be mounted on endoscope tip section  350 . 
         [0051]    Endoscope tip section  350  includes a lens assembly  356  of a front looking camera, which may be positioned at the front end  352  of endoscope tip section  350 . 
         [0052]    Endoscope tip section  350  includes a working channel  354 , which is configured for insertion of surgical tools, for example, for removing polyps found in the colon. 
         [0053]    Endoscope tip section  350  also includes a jet fluid channel  353 , which may be configured for cleaning a body cavity (e.g., a colon) into which the endoscope is inserted. 
         [0054]    Endoscope tip section  350  includes optical windows  355 A and  355 B for the endoscope&#39;s illuminators. 
         [0055]    Camera assembly  100  includes a utility cable  122 , which may be inserted (threaded) through working channels  354 . Utility cable  122  may run through the elongated shaft of endoscope tip section  350 . Utility cable  122  may be configured to electronically connect camera assembly  100  to an external controller (not shown), to supply electrical power to illuminators  118 A and  118 B and to cameras  116 A and  116 B and to deliver still images and/or video stream from camera  116  to an external controller 
         [0056]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, each showing a perspective view of an endoscope tip having camera assembly (may be referred to as an endoscope system), according to some embodiments. 
         [0057]    Endoscope system  400  includes an endoscope  450 , which may be similar to endoscope tip section  350  and camera assembly  200 . 
         [0058]    Typically, a front pointing endoscope camera, such as front pointing camera  456  may have a wide forward field of view a. When endoscope tip section  450  is used within a body cavity such as a colon, the endoscope user may advance the endoscope tip section  450  while viewing video stream transmitted from the front pointing camera  456  and try to detect objects of interest. However, in some cases, object of interest, such as polyps or lesions, may be located on an inner side of a fold of the colon, such that they are hidden from the forward field of view a of front pointing camera  456 . This problem causes “false negative” diagnosis, which may result in late discovery of cancer. 
         [0059]    Camera assembly  200  which is configured to be mounted on endoscope tip section  450  enhances the endoscope&#39;s field of view by adding rear fields of view β and γ to the endoscope and allow a higher detection rate of object of interest that may exist in the body cavity, compared to conventional endoscopes.  FIGS. 4A and 4B  demonstrate that camera assembly  200 , which may be a separate, independent (add-on) assembly, significantly increases the field of view of endoscope tip section  450  of an existing typical endoscope. Thus, camera assemblies, such as camera assembly  100  and  200  are capable of improving the performance of conventional endoscopes without forcing the doctors to replace their entire equipment. 
         [0060]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , each showing a perspective view of an endoscope tip having camera assembly (may be referred to as an endoscope system), according to some embodiments. 
         [0061]    Endoscope system  800  includes an endoscope tip section  850  and camera assembly  500  which include main body  502  and a camera chamber  510 , which may be connected to, attached to or integrally formed with main body  502  at the main body outer surface. 
         [0062]    Main body  502  may have an inner diameter which may be adapted to fit endoscope tip section  850  outer diameter and which enables camera assembly  500  to be mounted on endoscope tip section  850 . 
         [0063]    Endoscope tip section  850  includes a lens assembly  856  of a front looking camera, which may be positioned at the front end  852  of endoscope tip section  850 . 
         [0064]    Endoscope tip section  850  includes a working channel  854 , which is configured for insertion of surgical tools, for example, for removing polyps found in the colon. 
         [0065]    Endoscope tip section  850  also includes a jet fluid channel  853 , which may be configured for cleaning a body cavity (e.g., a colon) into which the endoscope is inserted. 
         [0066]    Endoscope tip section  850  includes optical windows  855 A and  855 B for the endoscope&#39;s illuminators. 
         [0067]    Camera chamber  510  may be configured to accommodate front pointing camera  516 A and front illuminators  518 A which may be associated with front pointing camera  516 A and used for illuminating camera&#39;s  516 A field of view. 
         [0068]    In addition, camera chamber  510  may be configured to accommodate rear pointing camera  516 B and rear illuminators  518 B which may be associated with front pointing camera  516 B and used for illuminating camera&#39;s  516 B field of view. 
         [0069]    Front pointing camera  516 A is adapted to point forwards towards the distal end of the endoscope upon assembling of camera assembly  500  on the tip section of the endoscope. Rear pointing camera  516 B is adapted to point rearwards towards the proximal end of the endoscope upon assembling of camera assembly  500  on the tip section of the endoscope. Thus, when camera assembly  500  is assembled on the tip section, the endoscope has one front pointing camera (originally made with the endoscope), one front pointing camera such as camera  516 A (which was added by the use of camera assembly  500 ) and one rear pointing camera such as camera  516 B (which was added by the use of camera assembly  500 ). 
         [0070]    This configuration may be beneficial for increasing the endoscope&#39;s field of view by utilizing the additional front pointing camera and rear pointing camera and providing further illumination to the cameras field of view by utilizing the front and back illuminators. 
         [0071]    In addition, this configuration may enable re-use of the endoscope&#39;s built-in camera resources (like the camera channel) which may be used for other purposes (like inserting a surgical tool). 
         [0072]    It is noted that camera  516 A and  516 B are shown to be a front and rear pointing cameras respectively, but at least one of said cameras may be a side pointing camera. 
         [0073]    Camera assembly  500  includes a utility cable (not shown), which may be inserted (threaded) through working channels  854 . Utility cable may run through the elongated shaft of endoscope tip section  850 . Utility cable may be configured to electronically connect camera assembly  500  to an external controller (not shown), to supply electrical power to illuminators  518 A and  518 B and to cameras  516 A and  516 B and to deliver still images and/or video stream from cameras  516 A and  516 B to an external controller. 
         [0074]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , each showing a perspective view of a probe tip (may be referred to as a probe system), according to some embodiments. 
         [0075]    Probe system  900  includes a probe tip section  950  and camera assembly  500 . Probe tip section  950  includes a working channel  954 , which is configured for insertion of surgical tools, for example, for removing polyps found in the colon. Probe tip section  950  also includes a jet fluid channel  953 , which may be configured for cleaning a body cavity (e.g., a colon) into which the probe is inserted. Probe tip section  950  further includes optical windows  955 A and  955 B for the probe&#39;s illuminators. According to this embodiment, as depicted in  FIGS. 6A-6B , the probe itself (probe tip section  950 ) does not have any visualization means. The visualization functionality is obtained by camera assembly  500 , which is configured to be used with probe tip section  950 . 
         [0076]    Camera assembly  500  include main body  502  and a camera chamber  510 , which may be connected to, attached to or integrally formed with main body  502  at the main body outer surface. 
         [0077]    Main body  502  may have an inner diameter which may be adapted to fit probe tip section  950  outer diameter and which enables camera assembly  500  to be mounted on probe tip section  950 . 
         [0078]    Camera chamber  510  may be configured to accommodate front pointing camera  516 A and front illuminators  518 A which may be associated with front pointing camera  516 A and used for illuminating camera&#39;s  516 A field of view. 
         [0079]    In addition, camera chamber  510  may be configured to accommodate rear pointing camera  516 B and rear illuminators  518 B which may be associated with front pointing camera  516 B and used for illuminating camera&#39;s  516 B field of view. 
         [0080]    Front pointing camera  516 A is adapted to point forwards towards the distal end of the probe upon assembling of camera assembly  500  on the tip section of the probe. Rear pointing camera  516 B is adapted to point rearwards towards the proximal end of the probe upon assembling of camera assembly  500  on the tip section of the probe. 
         [0081]    Thus, when camera assembly  500  is assembled on the tip section, the probe has one front pointing camera such as camera  516 A (which was added by the use of camera assembly  500 ) and one rear pointing camera such as camera  516 B (which was added by the use of camera assembly  500 ). 
         [0082]    This configuration may be beneficial for facilitating the probe system  900  with imagery sensing capabilities by utilizing the front pointing camera  516 A and rear pointing camera  516 B and illuminating the fields of view of front and rear cameras by utilizing the front and back illuminators respectively. 
         [0083]    In addition, this configuration may enable the use of camera free probe system which may use a wider working channel  954  or additional working channels (not shown) which may be used for insertion of surgical tools. 
         [0084]    Camera assembly  500  includes a utility cable (not shown), which may be inserted (threaded) through working channels  954 . Utility cable may run through the elongated shaft of probe tip section  950 . Utility cable may be configured to electronically connect camera assembly  500  to an external controller (not shown), to supply electrical power to illuminators  518 A and  518 B and to cameras  516 A and  516 B and to deliver still images and/or video stream from cameras  516 A and  516 B to an external controller. 
         [0085]    While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced be interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope. 
         [0086]    In the description and claims of the application, each of the words “comprise” “include” and “have”, and forms thereof, are not necessarily limited to members in a list with which the words may be associated.