Patent Publication Number: US-11045070-B2

Title: Endocoupler with induction coupling

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/522,215 filed Apr. 26, 2017 titled “ENDOCOUPLER WITH INDUCTION COUPLING.” The Ser. No. 15/522,215 application was a National phase entry of PCT/US2015/060993 filed Nov. 17, 2015. The PCT/US2015/060993 application claims benefit of the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/081,158 filed Nov. 18, 2014 titled “ENDOCOUPLER WITH INDUCTION COUPLING.” All the noted applications are incorporated by reference herein as if reproduced in full below. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application relates generally to endoscopic systems and methods, and more specifically to systems and methods of providing wireless power transmission from a camera head to one or more solid-state light sources housed in an endoscopic device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Surgeons and other medical professionals frequently employ endoscopic systems and methods to inspect regions within a patient&#39;s body during surgical, diagnostic, and/or other medical procedures. For example, a surgeon may employ an endoscopic system to inspect a patient&#39;s abdominal or pelvic cavity during a laparoscopic procedure, or to inspect a patient&#39;s thoracic or chest cavity during a thoracoscopic procedure. Such an endoscopic system may be employed in conjunction with surgical instruments such as forceps, scissors, probes, etc., to perform such a laparoscopic or thoracoscopic procedure through a small incision made in the patient&#39;s body, avoiding the need to open the patient&#39;s abdomen or chest. In this way, the patient&#39;s pain and/or discomfort due to the medical procedure, as well as the patient&#39;s recovery time, can be reduced. 
     A conventional endoscopic system typically includes a camera head, an endocoupler, an endoscopic device, a light source, and a light cable. The endocoupler mechanically and optically couples the camera head to the endoscopic device, and the light cable connects the light source to the endoscopic device. The endoscopic device typically includes an elongated insertion tube that extends from the endocoupler to a distal end of the endoscopic device, as well as an optical fiber bundle that provides an optical path for directing light energy produced by the light source to the distal end of the endoscopic device. 
     The conventional endoscopic system described above has drawbacks, however, due at least to the low efficiency and high power of the light source. Such a light source is typically a lamp that can require as much as 300 Watts of power or more in order to deliver about 1 Watt of light to the distal end of the endoscopic device, resulting in an efficiency of about 0.3%. Moreover, the light source in combination with the light cable can be bulky and can add needless clutter to the surgical suite, as well as significantly increase the overall cost of the endoscopic system. 
     It would therefore be desirable to have systems and methods of implementing a light source in an endoscopic system that can avoid at least some of the drawbacks of conventional endoscopic systems. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the present application, endoscopic systems and methods are disclosed that provide wireless power transmission from a camera head to at least one solid-state light source housed in an endoscopic device. The disclosed endoscopic systems and methods employ a multi-stage electromagnetic induction coupling mechanism that can wirelessly transfer power from the camera head to an endocoupler, as well as from the endocoupler to the solid-state light source, while allowing axial rotational motion of at least the camera head, the endocoupler, and/or the endoscopic device relative to one another. 
     In one aspect, an exemplary endoscopic system includes a camera head, an endoscopic device, and an endocoupler that couples the camera head to the endoscopic device. The camera head is coupled to a proximal region of the endocoupler, and the endoscopic device is coupled to a distal region of the endocoupler. In an exemplary aspect, the endoscopic device can be a direct-view endoscope. The endoscopic device includes an elongated insertion tube, an illumination post housing, and an optical fiber bundle. The elongated insertion tube, which can be rigid or flexible, extends from about the distal region of the endocoupler to a distal end section of the endoscopic device. The illumination post housing can house at least one solid-state light source. In a further exemplary aspect, the solid-state light source can be a light-emitting diode (LED). The optical fiber bundle of the elongated insertion tube provides an optical path for directing light energy produced by the solid-state light source to the distal end section of the endoscopic device. 
     In this aspect, the endoscopic system further includes a multi-stage electromagnetic induction coupling mechanism that can wirelessly transfer power from the camera head to the endocoupler, as well as from the endocoupler to the solid-state light source housed in the illumination post housing, while allowing axial rotational motion of at least the camera head, the endocoupler, and/or the endoscopic device relative to one another. In an exemplary aspect, the multi-stage electromagnetic induction coupling mechanism includes at least a first rotary induction coupling stage and a second rotary induction coupling stage. The first rotary induction coupling stage is disposed between the camera head and the endocoupler at or near the proximal region of the endocoupler. The second rotary induction coupling stage is disposed between the endocoupler and the endoscopic device at or near the distal region of the endocoupler. In a further exemplary aspect, the first and second rotary induction coupling stages can each include a first coil/ferrite assembly that has a magnetic field generating coil wound around a first ferrite core, and a second coil/ferrite assembly that has a magnetic field capturing coil wound around a second ferrite core. In order to allow axial rotational motion of the camera head and the endocoupler relative to one another, the first and second coil/ferrite assemblies included in the first rotary induction coupling stage can be implemented as a rotary power transfer device, such as a rotary transformer. The first rotary induction coupling stage can further include a first rotary attachment mechanism, such as a threaded mount, for rotatably attaching the endocoupler to the camera head. In order to allow axial rotational motion of the endoscopic device and the endocoupler relative to one another, the first and second coil/ferrite assemblies included in the second rotary induction coupling stage can likewise be implemented as a rotary power transfer device, such as a rotary transformer. The second rotary induction coupling stage can further include a second rotary attachment mechanism, such as a rotary joint, for rotatably attaching the endocoupler to the endoscopic device. 
     In an exemplary mode of operation, an endoscopic system is provided that includes a camera head, an endoscopic device, an endocoupler coupling the camera head to the endoscopic device, a first rotary induction coupling stage disposed between the camera head and the endocoupler, and a second rotary induction coupling stage disposed between the endocoupler and the endoscopic device, which houses at least one solid-state light source. Power is provided, by the camera head, for powering the solid-state light source by providing a first alternating current (also referred to herein as the “first AC current”) to a first coil/ferrite assembly within the first rotary induction coupling stage, thereby causing a first magnetic field to be generated by the first coil/ferrite assembly of the first rotary induction coupling stage. The first magnetic field generated by the first coil/ferrite assembly of the first rotary induction coupling stage is captured by a second coil/ferrite assembly within the first rotary induction coupling stage, thereby causing a second alternating current (also referred to herein as the “second AC current”) to be induced in the second coil/ferrite assembly of the first rotary induction coupling stage. The second AC current is provided to a first coil/ferrite assembly within the second rotary induction coupling stage, thereby causing a second magnetic field to be generated by the first coil/ferrite assembly of the second rotary induction coupling stage. The second magnetic field generated by the first coil/ferrite assembly of the second rotary induction coupling stage is captured by a second coil/ferrite assembly within the second rotary induction coupling stage, thereby causing a third alternating current (also referred to herein as the “third AC current”) to be induced in the second coil/ferrite assembly of the second rotary induction coupling stage. The third AC current is converted to a direct current (also referred to herein as the “DC current”), which is provided for powering the solid-state light source housed in the illumination post housing of the endoscopic device. Having powered the solid-state light source, the endoscopic device is rotated, by a user, about its axis at the second rotary induction coupling stage in order to change the orientation of a distal end section of the endoscopic device, while maintaining the transfer of power by the second rotary induction coupling stage from the endocoupler to the solid-state light source housed in the endoscopic device. Once having changed the orientation of the distal end section of the endoscopic device, a focusing ring assembly implemented in the endocoupler is rotated, by the user, about its axis at the first rotary induction coupling stage in order to adjust focusing optics contained in the endocoupler and/or the camera head, while further maintaining the transfer of power by the first rotary induction coupling stage from the camera head to the endocoupler, and ultimately to the solid-state light source. 
     By providing an endoscopic system that includes a camera head, an endoscopic device, an endocoupler coupling the camera head to the endoscopic device, a first rotary induction coupling stage disposed between the camera head and the endocoupler, and at least a second rotary induction coupling stage disposed between the endocoupler and the endoscopic device, a user (e.g., a surgeon or other medical professional) can axially rotate the endoscopic device at the second rotary induction coupling stage relative to the endocoupler, and also axially rotate a focusing ring assembly implemented in the endocoupler at the first rotary induction coupling stage relative to the camera head, while advantageously maintaining a transfer of power from the camera head to the endocoupler across the first rotary induction coupling stage, as well as from the endocoupler to the endoscopic device across the second rotary induction coupling stage, for powering a solid-state light source housed in the endoscopic device. Such a solid-state light source (e.g., an LED) can require about 5 Watts of power in order to deliver about 1 Watt of light to a distal end of the endoscopic device, advantageously resulting in an increased efficiency of about 20%. 
     Other features, functions, and aspects of the invention will be evident from the Detailed Description that follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments described herein and, together with the Detailed Description, explain these embodiments. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of an exemplary endoscopic system, including a camera head, an endoscopic device, and an endocoupler coupling the camera head to the endoscopic device, in accordance with the present application; 
         FIG. 2  is a detailed partially cross-sectional view of the camera head, the endocoupler, and the endoscopic device included in the endoscopic system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a detailed partially cross-sectional view of an endocoupler and an endoscopic device included in a first alternative embodiment of the endoscopic system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a detailed partially cross-sectional view of an endocoupler and an endoscopic device included in a second alternative embodiment of the endoscopic system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5 a    is a detailed cross-sectional view of a camera head and a video endoscopic device included in a video endoscopic system, in accordance with the present application; 
         FIG. 5 b    is a schematic diagram of an exemplary rectifier circuit and an exemplary solid-state light source included in the video endoscopic system of  FIG. 5 a   , the rectifier circuit being configured to convert an alternating current (AC) input to a direct current (DC) for powering the solid-state light source; 
         FIG. 5 c    is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of the circuit of  FIG. 5 b   , in which two solid-state light sources connected in anti-parallel fashion are powered by the AC input; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a computerized medical system incorporating the endoscopic system of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is a flow diagram of an exemplary method of operating the endoscopic system of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/081,158 filed Nov. 18, 2014 entitled ENDOCOUPLER WITH INDUCTION COUPLING is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Endoscopic systems and methods are disclosed that provide wireless power transmission from a camera head to at least one solid-state light source housed in an endoscopic device. The disclosed endoscopic systems and methods employ a multi-stage electromagnetic induction coupling mechanism that can wirelessly transfer power from the camera head to an endocoupler, as well as from the endocoupler to the solid-state light source, while allowing axial rotational motion of at least the camera head, the endocoupler, and/or the endoscopic device relative to one another. 
       FIG. 1  depicts an illustrative embodiment of an exemplary endoscopic system  100 , in accordance with the present application. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the endoscopic system  100  includes a camera head  106 , an endoscopic device  102 , and an endocoupler  104  configured to couple the camera head  106  to the endoscopic device  102 . For example, a surgeon or other medical professional may employ the endoscopic system  100  to inspect a region within a patient&#39;s body during a laparoscopic procedure, a thoracoscopic procedure, or any other suitable surgical, diagnostic, or other medical procedure. The endoscopic device  102  includes an elongated insertion tube  108 , an eyepiece section  110 , and an illumination post housing  112  for housing at least one solid-state light source (e.g., a solid-state light source  513 ; see  FIG. 5 a   ). The endocoupler  104  includes a focusing ring  114  of a focus assembly (e.g., a focus assembly  514 ; see  FIG. 5 a   ) for adjusting focusing optics (e.g., at least one lens  218 ; see  FIG. 2 ) contained in the endocoupler  104  and/or the camera head  106 . Through the focusing optics, the endocoupler  104  can project an image viewed through the eyepiece section  110  of the endoscopic device  102  onto an imaging sensor of the camera head  106 . The camera head  106  is coupled to a proximal region  118  of the endocoupler  104 , and the endoscopic device  102  is coupled to a distal region  116  of the endocoupler  104 . In one embodiment, the endoscopic device  102  can be a direct-view endoscope, or any other suitable endoscope. The elongated insertion tube  108 , which can be rigid or flexible, extends from the eyepiece section  110  to a distal end section  120  of the endoscopic device  102 . In one embodiment, the solid-state light source  513  (see  FIG. 5 a   ) can be a light-emitting diode (LED). The elongated insertion tube  108  can include an optical fiber bundle (e.g., an optical fiber bundle  521 ; see  FIG. 5 a   ) in order to provide an optical path for directing light energy produced by the solid-state light source to the distal end section  120  of the endoscopic device  102 . 
     The disclosed endoscopic system  100  further includes a multi-stage electromagnetic induction coupling mechanism that can wirelessly transfer power from the camera head  106  to the endocoupler  104 , as well as from the endocoupler  104  to the solid-state light source housed in the illumination post housing  112 , while allowing rotational motion, about an axis  122 , of at least the camera head  106 , the endocoupler  104 , and/or the endoscopic device  102  relative to one another. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the multi-stage electromagnetic induction coupling mechanism can include at least a first rotary induction coupling stage  202  and a second rotary induction coupling stage  204 . The first rotary induction coupling stage  202  is disposed between the camera head  106  and the endocoupler  104  at or near the proximal region  118  of the endocoupler  104 . The second rotary induction coupling stage  204  is disposed between the endocoupler  104  and the endoscopic device  102  at or near the distal region  116  of the endocoupler  104 . 
     As further shown in  FIG. 2 , the first rotary induction coupling stage  202  can include a first coil/ferrite assembly (not numbered) that has a magnetic field generating coil  206  wound around a ferrite core  207 , and a second coil/ferrite assembly (not numbered) that has a magnetic field capturing coil  208  wound around a ferrite core  209 . The first coil/ferrite assembly and the second coil/ferrite assembly of the first rotary induction coupling stage  202  are disposed longitudinally about the axis  122  of the endoscopic system  100 . In order to allow axial rotational motion of the camera head  106  and the endocoupler  104  relative to one another, the first and second coil/ferrite assemblies of the first rotary induction coupling stage  202  can be implemented as a rotary transformer or any other suitable rotary power transfer device. In the case where the first and second coil/ferrite assemblies of the first rotary induction coupling stage  202  are implemented as a rotary transformer, one of the coil/ferrite assemblies can have a fixed coil, while the other coil/ferrite assembly has a rotatable coil. The first rotary induction coupling stage  202  can further include a threaded mount  220 , such as a C-mount or any other suitable rotary attachment mechanism, for use in rotatably attaching the endocoupler  104  to the camera head  106 . 
     With regard to  FIG. 2 , the second rotary induction coupling stage  204  of the endoscopic system  100  can include a first coil/ferrite assembly (not numbered) that has a magnetic field generating coil  210  wound around a ferrite core  215 , and a second coil/ferrite assembly (not numbered) that has a magnetic field capturing coil  212  wound around a ferrite core  213 . The first coil/ferrite assembly and the second coil/ferrite assembly of the second rotary induction coupling stage  204  are disposed longitudinally about the axis  122  of the endoscopic system  100 . In order to allow axial rotational motion of the endoscopic device  102  and the endocoupler  104  relative to one another, the first and second coil/ferrite assemblies of the second rotary induction coupling stage  204  can be implemented as a rotary transformer or any other suitable rotary power transfer device. In the case where the first and second coil/ferrite assemblies of the second rotary induction coupling stage  204  are implemented as a rotary transformer, one of the coil/ferrite assemblies can have a fixed coil, while the other coil/ferrite assembly has a rotatable coil. The second rotary induction coupling stage  204  can further include a rotary joint  211  or any other suitable rotary attachment mechanism, for use in rotatably attaching the endocoupler  104  to the endoscopic device  102 . 
     In one mode of operation, an alternating current (AC) source (also referred to herein as the “AC current source”) (e.g., an AC current source  616 ; see  FIG. 6 ) provides, via a first conductor disposed in a channel  222 , a first AC current to the first coil/ferrite assembly of the first rotary induction coupling stage  202 , causing a first magnetic field to be generated by the magnetic field generating coil  206 . The magnetic field capturing coil  208  included in the second coil/ferrite assembly of the first rotary induction coupling stage  202  captures the first magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating coil  206 , causing a second AC current to be induced in the magnetic field capturing coil  208 . A second conductor disposed in a channel  216  provides the second AC current to the first coil/ferrite assembly of the second rotary induction coupling stage  204 , causing a second magnetic field to be generated by the magnetic field generating coil  210 . The magnetic field capturing coil  212  included in the second coil/ferrite assembly of the second rotary induction coupling stage  204  captures the second magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating coil  210 , causing a third AC current to be induced in the magnetic field capturing coil  212 . A third conductor disposed in a channel  214  provides the third AC current to a rectifier circuit (e.g., a rectifier circuit  523 ; see  FIG. 5 a   ), such as a bridge rectifier or any other suitable rectifier circuit, which converts the third AC current to a direct current (also referred to herein as the “DC current”) for powering the solid-state light source (e.g., an LED) housed in the illumination post housing  112  of the endoscopic device  102 . Having powered the solid-state light source of the endoscopic device  102 , the endoscopic device  102  can be rotated, by a user (e.g., a surgeon or other medical professional), about the axis  122  at the second rotary induction coupling stage  204  in order to change the orientation of the distal end section  120  of the endoscopic device  102 , while maintaining the transfer of power by the first and second coil/ferrite assemblies (e.g., a rotary transformer) of the second rotary induction coupling stage  204  from the endocoupler  104  to the solid-state light source. Once having changed the orientation of the distal end section  120  of the endoscopic device  102 , the focusing ring  114  of the focus assembly can be rotated, by the user, about the axis  122  at the first rotary induction coupling stage  202  in order to adjust the focusing optics contained in the endocoupler  104  and/or the camera head  106 , while further maintaining the transfer of power by the first and second coil/ferrite assemblies (e.g., another rotary transformer) of the first rotary induction coupling stage  202  from the camera head  106  to the endocoupler  104 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts a first alternative embodiment of the endoscopic system  100  of  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , an endoscopic system  300  includes a camera head  306 , an endoscopic device  302 , and an endocoupler  304  configured to couple the camera head  306  to the endoscopic device  302 . The endoscopic device  302  includes an eyepiece section  310 . The endocoupler  104  includes a focusing ring  314  of a focus assembly for adjusting focusing optics contained in the endocoupler  304  and/or the camera head  306 . The endoscopic system  300  further includes a multi-stage electromagnetic induction coupling mechanism that can wirelessly transfer power from the camera head  306  to the endocoupler  304 , as well as from the endocoupler  304  to a solid-state light source (e.g., an LED) housed in the endoscopic device  302 , while allowing rotational motion, about an axis  322 , of at least the camera head  306 , the endocoupler  304 , and/or the endoscopic device  302  relative to one another. As further shown in  FIG. 3 , the multi-stage electromagnetic induction coupling mechanism can include at least a rotary induction coupling stage  303  disposed between the endocoupler  304  and the endoscopic device  302  at or near a distal region of the endocoupler  304 . The rotary induction coupling stage  303  can include a first coil/ferrite assembly  307  and a second coil/ferrite assembly  309 . Another such rotary induction coupling stage, which can be disposed between the camera head  306  and the endocoupler  304  at or near a proximal region of the endocoupler  304 , is not shown for clarity of illustration. Whereas the first and second coil/ferrite assemblies of the rotary induction coupling stage  204  (see  FIG. 2 ) (as well as the first and second coil/ferrite assemblies of the rotary induction coupling stage  202 ; see also  FIG. 2 ) are disposed longitudinally about the axis  122  of the endoscopic system  100 , the first and second coil/ferrite assemblies  307 ,  309  of the rotary induction coupling stage  303  (see  FIG. 3 ) are disposed radially about the axis  322  of the endoscopic system  300 . In one embodiment, the radially disposed first and second coil/ferrite assemblies  307 ,  309  can each include a single-turn coil, which can be implemented using a single enameled wire, a plurality of litz wires, or any other suitable wire(s). 
       FIG. 4  depicts a second alternative embodiment of the endoscopic system  100  of  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , an endoscopic system  400  includes a camera head  406 , an endoscopic device  402 , and an endocoupler  404  configured to couple the camera head  406  to the endoscopic device  402 . The endoscopic device  402  includes an eyepiece section  410 . The endocoupler  404  includes a focusing ring  414  of a focus assembly for adjusting focusing optics contained in the endocoupler  404  and/or the camera head  406 . The endoscopic system  400  further includes a multi-stage electromagnetic induction coupling mechanism that can wirelessly transfer power from the camera head  406  to the endocoupler  404 , as well as from the endocoupler  404  to a solid-state light source (e.g., an LED) housed in the endoscopic device  402 , while allowing rotational motion, about an axis  422 , of at least the camera head  406 , the endocoupler  404 , and/or the endoscopic device  402  relative to one another. As further shown in  FIG. 4 , the multi-stage electromagnetic induction coupling mechanism can include at least a rotary induction coupling stage  403  disposed between the endocoupler  404  and the endoscopic device  402  at or near a distal region of the endocoupler  404 . The rotary induction coupling stage  403  can include a first coil/ferrite assembly  407  and a second coil/ferrite assembly  409 . Another such rotary induction coupling stage, which can be disposed between the camera head  406  and the endocoupler  404  at or near a proximal region of the endocoupler  404 , is not shown for clarity of illustration. Whereas the first and second coil/ferrite assemblies  307 ,  309  of the endoscopic system  300  can each include a single-turn coil (e.g., a single enameled wire, a plurality of litz wires), which typically has a round cross-section, the first and second coil/ferrite assemblies  407 ,  409  of the endoscopic system  400  can each include a coil that has a non-round cross-section, such as a flat cross-section. In one embodiment, the first and second coil/ferrite assemblies  407 ,  409  can each include a coil implemented using a flat or ribbon wire, or any other suitable wide thin conductor. By implementing the coils of the first and second coil/ferrite assemblies  407 ,  409  using wide thin conductors, improved coupling between the coils (and therefore improved power transmission efficiency) can be achieved due to the skin effect, i.e., the distribution of AC current that can occur at the surfaces of such wide thin conductors. 
       FIG. 5 a    depicts an illustrative embodiment of an exemplary video endoscopic system  500 , in accordance with the present application. As shown in  FIG. 5 a   , the video endoscopic system  500  includes a camera head  506 , and a combined video endoscope/endocoupler device  504  coupled to the camera head  506 . The video endoscope/endocoupler device  504  includes an elongated insertion tube  508 , and an illumination post housing  512  for housing the solid-state light source  513  (e.g., an LED). The video endoscope/endocoupler device  504  further includes the focus assembly  514  adjacent a proximal region of the video endoscope/endocoupler device  504  for adjusting focusing optics contained in the video endoscope/endocoupler device  504  and/or the camera head  506 . The camera head  506  is coupleable to the proximal region of the video endoscope/endocoupler device  504 . The elongated insertion tube  508 , which can be rigid or flexible, extends from a distal region of the video endoscope/endocoupler device  504  to a distal end section of the video endoscopic system  500 . The elongated insertion tube  508  includes the optical fiber bundle  521  for use in providing an optical path for directing light energy produced by the solid-state light source  513  to the distal end section of the video endoscopic system  500 . 
     With regard to  FIG. 5 a   , the video endoscopic system  500  further includes a multi-stage electromagnetic induction coupling mechanism that can wirelessly transfer power from the camera head  506  to the video endoscope/endocoupler device  504 , and ultimately to the solid-state light source  513  housed in the illumination post housing  512 , while allowing rotational motion, about an axis  522 , of at least the camera head  506  and the video endoscope/endocoupler device  504  (including the focus assembly  514 ) relative to one another. As shown in  FIG. 5 a   , the multi-stage electromagnetic induction coupling mechanism can include at least three stages, namely, a first rotary induction coupling stage  515 , a second rotary induction coupling stage  525 , and a third rotary induction coupling stage  535 . For example, the first, second, and third rotary induction coupling stages  515 ,  525 ,  535  can each be implemented as a rotary transformer or any other suitable rotary power transfer device. The first rotary induction coupling stage  515  is disposed between the camera head  506  and the video endoscope/endocoupler device  504  at or near the proximal region of the video endoscope/endocoupler device  504 . The focus assembly  514  is disposed between the first rotary induction coupling stage  515  and the second rotary induction coupling stage  525 . The second rotary induction coupling stage  525  is disposed between the focus assembly  514  and the third rotary induction coupling stage  535 . The third rotary induction coupling stage  535  is disposed at or near the distal region of the video endoscope/endocoupler device  504 . 
     With further regard to  FIG. 5 a   , the first rotary induction coupling stage  515  can include a first coil/ferrite assembly  517  and a second coil/ferrite assembly  519 . The first and second coil/ferrite assemblies  517 ,  519  can be disposed longitudinally (or radially) about the axis  522  of the video endoscopic system  500 . In order to allow axial rotational motion of the camera head  506  and the video endoscope/endocoupler device  504  relative to one another, the first rotary induction coupling stage  515  can include a threaded mount  550 , such as a C-mount or any other suitable rotary attachment mechanism, for use in rotatably attaching the video endoscope/endocoupler device  504  to the camera head  506 . The second rotary induction coupling stage  525  can include a first coil/ferrite assembly  527  and a second coil/ferrite assembly  529 . The first and second coil/ferrite assemblies  527 ,  529  can be disposed longitudinally (or radially) about the axis  522  of the video endoscopic system  500 . The first and second rotary induction coupling stages  515 ,  525  are configured to allow rotational motion of the focus assembly  514  disposed therebetween about the axis  522  of the video endoscopic system  500 . The third rotary induction coupling stage  535  can include a first coil/ferrite assembly  537  and a second coil/ferrite assembly  539 . The first and second coil/ferrite assemblies  537 ,  539  can be disposed longitudinally (or radially) about the axis  522  of the video endoscopic system  500 . In order to allow axial rotational motion of the distal region of the video endoscope/endocoupler device  504  for changing the orientation of the distal end section of the video endoscopic system  500 , the third rotary induction coupling stage  535  can include a rotary joint  550  or any other suitable mechanism configured to allow such axial rotational motion. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 a   , the video endoscopic system  500  includes the rectifier circuit  523  that can convert an AC current provided by the third rotary induction coupling stage  535  to a DC current for powering the solid-state light source  513  (e.g., an LED) housed in the illumination post housing  512 .  FIG. 5 b    depicts an illustrative embodiment of the rectifier circuit  523 , which includes a plurality of diodes D 1 , D 2 , D 3 , D 4  configured as a bridge rectifier operative to receive the AC current as input, and to convert the AC input to a DC current for powering the LED  513 .  FIG. 5 c    depicts an alternative embodiment of the circuit of  FIG. 5 b   , in which the LED  513  is replaced by a plurality of solid-state light sources  560 ,  562  (e.g., at least two LEDs) connected in anti-parallel fashion. The plurality of LEDs  560 ,  562  are powered directly by the AC input, obviating the need for the rectifier circuit  523 . As shown in  FIG. 5 c   , the cathode of the LED  560  and the anode of the LED  562  are connected to a node A, and the cathode of the LED  562  and the anode of the LED  560  are connected to a node B. When an AC voltage is applied across the nodes A and B, the LEDs  560 ,  562  are energized on alternating halves of the AC waveform. In one embodiment, the plurality of LEDs  560 ,  562  can be implemented as a plurality of blue/UV LED chips, which can constitute the core of one or more white LEDs. In a further alternative embodiment, one or more additional LEDs can be connected in parallel with the LED  560 , and, likewise, one or more additional LEDs can be connected in parallel with the LED  562 , while maintaining the anti-parallel circuit configuration of the plurality of LEDs. 
       FIG. 6  depicts an illustrative embodiment of an exemplary computerized medical system  600  that incorporates an endoscopic system  606 , which can be like any one of the endoscopic systems  100 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500  described herein. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the computerized medical system  600  includes the endoscopic system  606 , a computing device  604 , and a display device  602 . The endoscopic system  606  can send image data of a patient&#39;s internal anatomical structures to the computing device  604 , which can receive the image data via, e.g., a suitable video/frame capture device. The computing device  604  can perform processing on the image data to segment target tissue and/or anatomical structures in the image data from other tissue and/or structures, and to display corresponding images on the display device  602  in a manner that conveys such segmentation to a user, such as a surgeon or other medical professional. The computing device  604  includes a camera interface  614  that can receive the image data from the endoscopic system  606 , provide power (in conjunction with the AC current source  616 ) to the endoscopic system  606 , and further provide bidirectional communications with the endoscopic system  606 . 
     With regard to  FIG. 6 , the computing device  604  may be embodied as any suitable type of computing device, such as a personal computer, a workstation, a portable computing device, a console, a laptop, a tablet, a network terminal, an embedded device, or the like. The computing device  604  further includes an interconnection mechanism such as a data bus or other circuitry that couples the camera interface  614  to a memory  610 , a processor  612 , and an input/output (I/O) interface  608 . The memory  610  may be embodied as any suitable type of computer readable medium, which may include, e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a Read Only Memory (ROM), and/or a Random Access Memory (RAM). The memory  610  can store one or more software programs/applications for execution by the processor  612 . The stored software program/applications may include instructions that, when executed by the processor  612 , causes the processor  612  to perform various operations described herein. During operation of the computing device  604 , the processor  612  can access the memory  610  via the interconnection mechanism in order to execute the software program/application(s). In other implementations, the processor  612  and the memory  610  may be replaced with programmable circuitry such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), which may be programmed to execute the logic of the software program/application. 
     An exemplary method of operating the endoscopic system  100  is described below with reference to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 7 . As depicted in block  702  (see  FIG. 7 ), the endoscopic system  100  (see  FIG. 1 ) is provided, including the camera head  106 , the endoscopic device  102 , the endocoupler  104  coupling the camera head  106  to the endoscopic device  102 , the first rotary induction coupling stage  202  (see  FIG. 2 ) disposed between the camera head  106  and the endocoupler  104 , and the second rotary induction coupling stage  204  (see also  FIG. 2 ) disposed between the endocoupler  104  and the endoscopic device  102 . As depicted in block  704 , a first AC current is provided, by the camera head  106 , to the first coil/ferrite assembly within the first rotary induction coupling stage  202 , causing a first magnetic field to be generated by the first coil/ferrite assembly of the first rotary induction coupling stage  202 . As depicted in block  706 , the first magnetic field is captured by the second coil/ferrite assembly within the first rotary induction coupling stage  202 , causing a second AC current to be induced in the second coil/ferrite assembly of the first rotary induction coupling stage  202 . As depicted in block  708 , the second AC current is provided to the first coil/ferrite assembly within the second rotary induction coupling stage  204 , causing a second magnetic field to be generated by the first coil/ferrite assembly of the second rotary induction coupling stage  204 . As depicted in block  710 , the second magnetic field is captured by the second coil/ferrite assembly within the second rotary induction coupling stage  204 , causing a third AC current to be induced in the second coil/ferrite assembly of the second rotary induction coupling stage  204 . As depicted in block  712 , the third AC current is converted to a DC current, which is provided for powering the solid-state light source housed in the illumination post housing  112  of the endoscopic device  102 . As depicted in block  714 , having powered the solid-state light source, the endoscopic device  102  is rotated, by a user (e.g., a surgeon or other medical professional), about its axis at the second rotary induction coupling stage  204  in order to change the orientation of the distal end section  120  of the endoscopic device  102 , while maintaining the transfer of power by the second rotary induction coupling stage  204  from the endocoupler  104  to the solid-state light source housed in the endoscopic device  102 . As depicted in block  716 , once having changed the orientation of the distal end section  120  of the endoscopic device  102 , a focusing ring assembly  114  implemented in the endocoupler  104  is rotated, by the user, about its axis at the first rotary induction coupling stage  202  in order to adjust focusing optics contained in the endocoupler  104  and/or the camera head  106 , while further maintaining the transfer of power by the first rotary induction coupling stage  202  from the camera head  106  to the endocoupler  104 , and ultimately to the solid-state light source housed in the endoscopic device  102 . 
     It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that modifications to and variations of the above-described systems and methods may be made without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein. Accordingly, the invention should not be viewed as limited except as by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.