HK1219643B - Viewing trocar with intergrated prism for use with angled endoscope - Google Patents

Description

Viewing trocar with integrated prism for use with angled endoscopes

Background Art

Advances in technology have led to many improvements in imaging capabilities for medical use. One area that has enjoyed some of the most favorable advances is endoscopic surgery. These procedures can be less invasive than traditional surgeries because they allow for the examination (and sometimes treatment) of a patient's internal body parts, including the surgical site, by inserting an imaging device called an endoscope into a small port in the patient's body.

Typically, to initiate endoscopic surgery, a small port or path to the surgical site of interest inside the patient is first created using a trocar. More specifically, the trocar is first inserted into a narrow endoscope tube or cannula. The trocar is then used to penetrate the patient's tissue (first the distal portion) to reach the surgical site. The distal portion of the trocar typically terminates in a relatively sharp tip (i.e., an insertion tip) to facilitate piercing the tissue and reaching the surgical site. Once the surgical site is reached, the trocar can then be removed, leaving the cannula as a port.

When a trocar is used to penetrate a patient's internal tissue, there is a risk of accidental rupture of an organ or blood vessel. This is particularly true when making the initial port for surgery, as the initial insertion of the trocar into the patient cannot be observed from within the patient's body using an endoscope passed through another port.

To help mitigate the risks of this first insertion, viewing trocars have been developed to allow the tip of the trocar to be viewed as it is inserted (i.e., pierced through the patient) and passed through the patient's tissue to the surgical site. To accomplish this, viewing trocars are typically configured with a window at or near their distal portion and a hollow portion that allows for insertion of an endoscope. The endoscope can then be used to view the insertion of the tip through the window and through the patient's tissue.

In order to provide an adequate field of view for viewing the tip, an unangled (zero-degree) endoscope is often used rather than an angled endoscope to create the initial port. However, angled endoscopes are commonly used and preferred for most other parts of many endoscopic procedures. This makes the use of unangled endoscopes for such procedures inconvenient, costly, and inefficient, especially when the endoscope is a limited-use, resettable, or single-use/disposable endoscope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. Advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood with reference to the following description and drawings, wherein:

FIG1 illustrates an exemplary endoscope system according to at least one embodiment and made in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present disclosure;

2 illustrates an example of a connected angled endoscopic device and viewing trocar according to at least one embodiment and made in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present disclosure;

3 is an enlarged detailed view of a distal portion of an exemplary coupled angled endoscopic device and viewing trocar according to at least one embodiment and made in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present disclosure;

FIG4 illustrates an exemplary method according to at least one implementation and in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present disclosure;

5A and 5B illustrate perspective and side views, respectively, of an implementation of a monolithic sensor having multiple pixel arrays for producing a three-dimensional image in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present disclosure;

6A and 6B illustrate perspective and side views, respectively, of an implementation of an imaging sensor constructed on multiple substrates, wherein a plurality of pixel columns forming a pixel array are located on a first substrate and a plurality of circuit columns are located on a second substrate, and illustrate electrical connections and communications between a pixel column and its associated or corresponding circuit column; and

7A and 7B illustrate perspective and side views, respectively, of an implementation of an imaging sensor having multiple pixel arrays for generating three-dimensional images, where the multiple pixel arrays and image sensors are constructed on multiple substrates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to methods, apparatus, and systems for endoscopic photorefractive imaging that allow angled endoscopes to be used with viewing trocars in a convenient, efficient, and cost-effective manner to create ports in a patient's body, including initial ports for endoscopic surgical procedures. In the following description of the present disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the present disclosure may be practiced. It should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the terms "comprising," "including," "containing," "characterized by," and their grammatical equivalents are non-exclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

The described endoscopic light refraction imaging technique allows an angled endoscope to be used with a viewing trocar in a convenient, efficient, and lower-cost manner to create ports in a patient's body, including initial ports for endoscopic surgical procedures.

In at least some implementations, the viewing trocar and/or angled endoscope of an endoscope system can be configured with a light-refracting element, such as a glass and/or plastic prism. The light-refracting element can be utilized within and/or with the viewing trocar to refract (i.e., bend) light entering the trocar through the trocar's window. More specifically, the light-refracting element can change the direction of travel of the incident light to be along a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the offset angle of the endoscope. Thus, the field of view of the endoscope can be substantially aligned with the field of view of the viewing trocar's window.

In at least one specific implementation, the viewing trocar can be configured with a prism that is integral with or removably attached to a lumen defined by the viewing trocar. Alternatively or additionally, the angled endoscope can be configured with a prism that is integral with or removably attached to the endoscope.

In at least one embodiment, the angled endoscope can be configured with an image sensor disposed at and/or near the distal end or tip of the endoscope. The image sensor can be, for example, a digital charge-coupled device (CCD) and/or complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) array of active pixel sensors.

As described above, endoscopic surgical procedures can be less invasive than traditional surgical procedures because they allow for inspection (e.g., observation, detection, and/or diagnosis) and/or treatment of a patient's internal body parts (i.e., tissue) by inserting an endoscope into a small port in the patient's body.

For example, a surgeon may examine and/or treat a patient by inserting a type of endoscope called a laparoscope through a port to reach the inside of the patient's abdomen or pelvis. As another example, a surgeon may examine and/or treat a patient by inserting another type of endoscope called an arthroscope through a port to reach the inside of a patient's joint (such as a knee joint).

An endoscope is typically a long, thin object having a light-collecting element (e.g., an objective lens) positioned at and/or near the distal end of the endoscope, and an imaging system that receives optical images and converts them into electronic images that can be reproduced on a display. The field of view of the endoscope's light-collecting element may be referred to herein as the endoscope's field of view. An imaginary line passing through the endoscope from the distal end to the proximal end may generally define the endoscope's axis.

As will be recognized and understood by those skilled in the art, the light collecting elements of an unangled endoscope are disposed substantially perpendicular to the axis so that the field of view of the endoscope is not substantially offset relative to a plane extending transverse to the axis of the endoscope (i.e., the transverse plane). As such, the distal end (i.e., the tip) does not define an angle relative to the transverse plane and therefore appears blunt.

In contrast, the light collecting element of an angled endoscope is not arranged substantially perpendicular to its axis. Instead, the light collecting element and the distal end define an angle relative to the transverse plane. This angle may be referred to as the offset angle of the endoscope, which may vary and may range from about 12 degrees to about 90 degrees. However, many endoscopic procedures often use endoscope offset angles of approximately 30 degrees (i.e., 30-degree endoscopes) and 45 degrees (i.e., 45-degree endoscopes). As a result, the field of view of the angled endoscope is substantially offset relative to the transverse plane, and the distal end therefore appears angled or pointed.

Most endoscopes are designed so that the imaging device or image sensor of the endoscope is positioned at or near the proximal end of the endoscope. For example, the image sensor is typically positioned in a handpiece unit of the endoscope that is located at and/or near the proximal end of the endoscope. In such a configuration, light can enter through a light collecting element at the distal end of the endoscope and propagate along the axis of the endoscope toward the image sensor. Such an image sensor can be configured to convert an optical image represented by the light into an electronic signal that can then be used to reproduce the image on a display. Therefore, the endoscope needs to be configured with a complex set of precisely coupled optical transmission components to transmit light to the image sensor.

Because the cost of an endoscope is often dependent on its optics, optical transmission components can significantly increase the cost (e.g., production cost) of an endoscope. Furthermore, optical transmission components can increase the fragility of an endoscope, as relatively minor impacts can easily damage these components or disrupt their relative alignment. This fragility necessitates frequent, expensive repair cycles to maintain image quality. Therefore, removing or reducing optical transmission components in an endoscope would be advantageous, at least because it would reduce the cost and fragility of the endoscope.

To this end, the endoscopic imaging techniques described herein allow endoscopes to be configured with minimal or no optical transmission components, thereby significantly reducing the cost and fragility of endoscopes compared to conventional endoscopes. For example, in some embodiments, an endoscope can be configured with an image sensor positioned at and/or near the distal end or tip of the endoscope, rather than at and/or near the proximal end of the endoscope or in a handpiece. Thus, the image sensor can be positioned relatively closer to the light collecting elements of the endoscope, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for optical transmission components in the endoscope.

Typically, to initiate an endoscopic surgical procedure, a port is first created using a trocar to access a site of interest (e.g., a surgical site) within the patient. To achieve this, the trocar may include a plug configured with a relatively sharp tip at or near the distal end of the trocar for piercing the patient's tissue and reaching the site of interest. Before being used to pierce tissue, the plug may first be inserted into a narrow endoscope tube outside the patient's body. The trocar (with the plug inside the cannula) may then be inserted (distal portion first) into the patient's body. Once the site of interest is reached, the trocar may then be removed, leaving the cannula as a port.

During endoscopic surgery, when a trocar is used to penetrate a patient's internal tissue, there is a risk of inadvertent rupture of vital organs or blood vessels, thereby complicating the procedure. The ability to observe the insertion of the trocar from within the patient using an endoscope inserted through a port can significantly mitigate this risk. However, this is not possible when creating the initial port for the procedure, making puncture of the initial port more risky than subsequent punctures.

To help mitigate the risk of such first-time penetration, viewing trocars (e.g., optical trocars) have been developed. Viewing trocars are typically configured with a transparent or translucent window to allow viewing of the tip of the trocar (e.g., the tip of a plug) as it is inserted (i.e., piercing the patient) and passes through the patient's tissue. The viewing trocar window is typically located at and/or near the distal end of the trocar. Viewing trocars are also typically configured with a hollow portion or lumen so that an endoscope can be inserted into the trocar to view the insertion and passage of the tip.

For example, some viewing trocars are configured with a transparent or translucent plug tip and lumen along the length of the trocar (from the proximal end to the distal end). Thus, an endoscope can be inserted (e.g., slid) into the trocar so that the endoscope's light-collecting element is located at and/or near (e.g., adjacent to) the window. Light from the patient's tissue and/or other objects within the window's field of view and within the endoscope's field of view can enter through the window, be collected and focused by the light-collecting element, and be viewed by the endoscope's imaging system and display.

For creating the initial port, an unangled endoscope is generally preferred over an angled endoscope. This is because, when placed in a viewing trocar, the field of view of the unangled endoscope is generally substantially aligned with the field of view of the viewing trocar window. As a result, the trocar window is rarely, if ever, obscured by the endoscope's light-collecting elements, and most or all of the light entering the trocar window reaches the endoscope's light-collecting elements.

In contrast, when an angled endoscope is placed in a typical viewing trocar, the endoscope's field of view is typically not substantially aligned with the field of view of the viewing trocar's window. This is due to the offset angle of the angled endoscope. Generally speaking, the greater the offset angle, the greater the misalignment between the field of view and the window. Therefore, it's not surprising that most, if not all, viewing trocars are configured as non-angled endoscopes rather than angled endoscopes.

For most types of endoscopic procedures other than initial port creation, angled endoscopes are commonly used and preferred. However, obtaining and utilizing two types of endoscopes, namely, an angled and a non-angled endoscope, can be costly, inconvenient, and wasteful, especially considering that the non-angled endoscope may only be needed to create the initial port. Therefore, being able to use a single angled endoscope for the entire endoscopic surgical procedure would be more convenient, efficient, and less expensive.

To this end, endoscopic light refraction imaging techniques are described herein. By utilizing these techniques, a viewing trocar and/or an unangled endoscope can be configured to be used together when forming a port (including an initial port for surgery) in a patient. For example, in some embodiments, a light refraction element (e.g., a prism) in and/or with the viewing trocar can be utilized to refract (i.e., bend) light entering the trocar through the window of the trocar. More specifically, the light refraction element can change the direction of travel of the incident light to be along a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the offset angle of the endoscope. Thus, the field of view of the endoscope can be substantially aligned with the field of view of the trocar window.

In other words, a light-refracting element can be used to increase the amount of light reaching the light-collecting element by bending the incident light at an angle so that the fields of view of the endoscope and the window are similar or identical. For example, if a 30-degree endoscope is inserted into a viewing endoscope, a prism can be used to bend the incident light at an angle of approximately 30 degrees toward the light-collecting element of the endoscope.

To facilitate the reader's understanding of the present disclosure, Figures 1A-1C illustrate an exemplary endoscope system 100 that can be implemented according to the techniques described herein. Endoscope system 100 illustrates an exemplary implementation and, therefore, should not be construed as limiting. More specifically, while the endoscope system 100 of Figures 1A-1C is described in the context of including various systems and components, this should not be construed as limiting the implementation of any one or more of these systems or components to endoscope system 100. Rather, it should be recognized and understood that any of the described systems and components can be implemented independently or in any combination without regard to endoscope system 100.

1A-1C , an endoscope system 100 may include an angled endoscope system 102. The angled endoscope system 102 may, in turn, include an endoscope device (i.e., endoscope) 104, an endoscope housing 106 (e.g., a handpiece and/or camera head), a control unit 108, a light source 110, a display 112, and an imaging device 114 (e.g., a camera, a sensor, etc.). Note that in this example, the endoscope device 104, the endoscope housing 106, the control unit 108, the light source 110, the display 112, and the imaging device 114 are each shown separately relative to one another for ease of discussion. However, it should be appreciated and understood that this should not be construed as limiting, and any one or more of these components may be integrated and/or connected in any suitable manner.

For example, in Figures 1A and 1B, the endoscopic device 104 and the endoscope housing 106 are shown in a disengaged state. However, as shown in Figure 1C, for example, these components can be operably connected (e.g., coupled) to each other to form an angled endoscope unit for performing endoscopic surgery.

For example, in the specific implementation of Figure 1A and Figure 1C, control unit 108 and light source 110 are shown as separated.And in the specific implementation of Figure 1B, control unit 108 and light source 110 are shown as parts of same unit 111.In any specific implementation, when needed, light source 110 can be configured to provide light to endoscopic device 104 by one or more optical fibers or other light-transmitting functional parts, for illumination of patient tissue or otherwise conducive to the observation of patient tissue.However, in some specific implementations (best shown in Figure 1B), these parts can be integrated in unit 111 (for example, in the same housing, etc.) or otherwise be operably connected.

As another example, the imaging device 114 in FIG1C is shown as being configured with components located in both the endoscope housing 106 and the endoscopic device 104. However, in some other implementations, the imaging device 114 can be configured in other ways. For example, in at least one implementation, all features of the imaging device 114 can be included or located in the endoscope housing 106 (best shown in FIG1A ), or alternatively, some or all of the imaging device 114 can be located remotely or externally relative to the endoscope housing 106 in one or more other components, which may or may not include the control unit 108 or the endoscopic device 104.

1B , the imaging device 114 includes an image sensor 116 that is advantageously disposed (i.e., located) at and/or near the distal end (i.e., tip) of the endoscopic device 104. The image sensor 116 may be any suitable type of device and/or associated circuitry, such as a digital charge-coupled device (CCD) and/or complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) array of active pixel sensors.

In at least one implementation, to avoid or mitigate changes in orientation and various display issues with the image sensor 116 at the endoscopic device tip when a user rotates or changes the angle of the endoscopic device 104 , certain mechanical and software stabilization techniques may be employed.

Operatively, the image sensor 116 may be configured to receive light collected and focused by a light-collecting element 118 (e.g., a lens) positioned at and/or near the distal end of the endoscopic device 104. The image sensor 116 may also be configured to convert an optical image represented by the received light into an electronic image capable of being reproduced on the display 112.

Note that in this example, the light-collecting element 118 is not positioned substantially perpendicular to the axis 119 of the endoscopic device 104. Instead, the light-collecting element 118 is positioned at an angle of approximately 30 degrees relative to a plane extending transverse to the axis 119 (i.e., the transverse plane). Thus, the offset angle of the endoscopic device 104 is approximately 30 degrees, thereby resulting in an angled endoscope within the endoscopic device 104. Due to this offset angle, the field of view of the endoscopic device 104 is substantially offset relative to the transverse plane, thereby resulting in an angled or pointed appearance of the distal end of the endoscopic device 104.

Next, in operation, the control unit 108 may be electronically and/or communicatively connected to the imaging device 114 and/or one or other components within the endoscope housing 106 and/or the endoscopic device 104 in order to facilitate the reproduction of the electronic image on the display 112. As represented by connection 120, the control unit 108 may be connected in this manner via a physical (e.g., wired) and/or wireless (e.g., Bluetooth, infrared, etc.) connection. Additionally, as represented by connection 122, the control unit 108 may be electronically and/or communicatively connected to the display 112. The display 112 may be any type of display device that is suitably configured to display the reproduced electronic image received from the imaging device 114.

In addition to the components including the imaging device 114, the endoscope housing 106 may also include other components, such as a transceiver 124 (e.g., a wireless transceiver), which may be configured to facilitate communication between the endoscope housing 106 and the control unit 108 via the connection 120. The ability to separate and communicatively connect the endoscope housing 106 to the control unit 108 (e.g., via wireless transmission) may allow for easy replacement of a used endoscope and/or endoscope housing with a sterilized and updated endoscope and/or housing. The ability to separate and communicatively connect these components also allows for greater mobility of the endoscope housing 106 during use of the endoscopic device.

In addition to the endoscope system 102, the endoscope system 100 may also include a viewing trocar system 128 that is configured to mitigate the risk of punctures during an endoscopic surgical procedure by allowing the distal end (i.e., tip) of the trocar system 128 to be viewed as the trocar system 128 is inserted into and through the patient's tissue. More specifically, in this example, the viewing trocar system 128 may include an obturator 130 and a cannula 134. The obturator 130 may include an obturator housing 132 that, in this example, is formed to facilitate gripping of the obturator 130.

The plug 130 may further define an internal plug lumen 136 extending along the axis 131 of the plug 130 from the proximal end of the plug (at the proximal end of the plug housing) to a point at or near the relatively sharp tip of the distal end of the plug (i.e., the distal end of the cannula needle system 128), which is formed by a transparent or translucent window 138.

In this example, plug housing 132 includes a hollow portion (e.g., a trocar housing lumen) that effectively allows plug lumen 136 to extend through plug housing 132 from at or near window 138 to opening 133 at the plug proximal end of the housing.

As will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art, the angled endoscope system 102 and the viewing trocar system 128 can be configured to be operably connected (e.g., coupled) to one another to initiate an endoscopic surgical procedure. For example, the endoscopic device 104 can be coupled to (e.g., slid into and removed from) the obturator 130 by first inserting the endoscopic device 104 (distal end first) through the opening 133 in the endoscope housing 132 and along the obturator lumen 136 until the distal end of the endoscopic device 104 reaches a point at or near the proximal end of the window 138.

Once the angled endoscope system 102 and the viewing trocar system 128 are operably connected, as shown in FIG2 , the tip formed by the window 138 can be inspected using the light-collecting element 118 and the imaging device 114 (including the image sensor 116) as the tip is inserted into the patient's tissue. More specifically, according to the described techniques, and as shown in FIG2 and FIG3 , when the angled endoscope system 102 and the viewing trocar system 128 are operably connected, a light-refracting element 140 can be utilized within the plug to bend incident light 302 entering through the window 138. The light-refracting element 140 can be any suitable type of device or material capable of refracting light in a particular direction. For example, in at least one embodiment, the light-refracting element 140 is a prism made of glass and/or plastic that causes the incident light 302 to bend toward the light-collecting element 118. It should be understood that the light-refracting element 140 can be made of any suitable material capable of refracting light as disclosed herein.

More specifically, the light refracting element 140 can be positioned at the light refracting region 142 in the plug lumen 136 and angled such that the incident light 302 is bent by the light refracting element 140 at an angle of 30 degrees in a direction toward the light collecting element 118, which is angled approximately 30 degrees relative to the transverse plane.

3 , the light-refracting element 140 can bend incident light 302 so that the direction of travel of the light is changed to be along a plane substantially perpendicular to the light-collecting element 118 and toward the light-collecting element 118. Thus, the field of view of the endoscopic device 104 can be substantially aligned with the field of view of the window 138, thereby enabling the endoscopic device 104 to be used in viewing the trocar system 128 in a convenient, effective, and cost-effective manner.

In some implementations, the light-refracting element 140 can be integrated with the inner wall of the obturator lumen 136 and/or integrated with the endoscopic device 104 so that the position and/or location of the element is fixed. Alternatively or in addition, the light-refracting element can be placed in and/or attached to the obturator lumen 136 and/or the endoscopic device 104 (i.e., temporarily or permanently).

For example, in at least one embodiment, retention features and structures can be utilized to position and/or attach light-refracting element 140 to a specific location and/or position within or on plug 130. Retention features and structures can be configured to allow light-refracting element 140 to be removably attached (e.g., temporarily) or permanently attached. For example, retention features and structures can be mechanical structures, structurally integrated shapes within the lumen or elsewhere within or on plug 130, adhesive chemistries, and/or regions (e.g., light-refracting regions 142) that allow light-refracting element 140 to be positioned within and/or attached to plug 130.

Furthermore, in at least one implementation, the retention feature and/or retention structure can be configured to maintain light refracting element 140 stationary relative to obturator lumen 136. In such implementations, when coupled with a viewing trocar system, endoscopic device 104 will likely need to be rotated relative to obturator 130 about axis 131 (and therefore axis 119) to achieve a suitable orientation in which light refracting element 140 and light collecting element 118 are substantially rotationally aligned and therefore adjacent to one another.

Alternatively, in at least one other embodiment, the retaining feature can be configured to allow light-refracting element 140 to move within obturator lumen 136. In such embodiments, it may not be necessary to rotate endoscopic device 104 about axis 131 to bring light-refracting element 142 and light-collecting element 118 into substantial rotational alignment and, therefore, adjacent one another. Instead, light-refracting element 140 can be rotated about axis 131 until alignment is achieved.

The retaining features and/or retaining structures may also be configured to allow light-refracting element 140 to be manually and/or automatically positioned in a plane extending relative to transverse axis 131 and/or at one or more desired angles relative to endoscopic device 104. For example, the retaining features and structures may be configured to allow the positioning of the light-refracting element to be changed from one desired angle to another desired angle.

The retention feature and/or light-refracting element 140 can be provided in any suitable manner. For example, the retention feature and/or light-refracting element 140 can be provided separately (e.g., commercially packaged) and/or provided with one or more components, such as with the viewing trocar system 128, the endoscopic device, and/or the endoscopic system 100.

Finally, as will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art, the obturator 130 and the trocar housing 132 can be operably connected to the cannula 134 prior to insertion into the patient. As described above, once the site of interest within the patient is reached, the obturator 130 and/or the trocar housing 132 can be removed, leaving the cannula as a port of entry into the patient. In at least one embodiment, the obturator 130 can be configured to be slid into and removed from the cannula 134 by first inserting the obturator 130 through the opening 144 in the cannula 134 and then following the cannula lumen 147 within the cannula 134 until the distal end of the obturator housing 132 contacts the proximal end of the cannula housing 146.

To assist the reader in understanding the endoscopic light refraction imaging techniques described herein, an exemplary method of configuring a viewing trocar and/or an angled endoscope to be used together for endoscopic surgery is described below.

4 , at block 402 , a viewing trocar and an angled endoscope can be configured to be operably coupled to position an endoscope port. In at least one implementation, the viewing trocar system 128 and the angled endoscope system 102 of the endoscope system 100 can be utilized.

At block 404, the viewing trocar or angled endoscope can be configured with a light refracting element (e.g., light refracting element 140), such as a glass and/or plastic prism, to refract the received light. As described above, the light can be received through a window (e.g., window 138) disposed at the distal end of the viewing trocar. In at least one embodiment, the viewing trocar can be configured with a prism located at or near the distal end of the trocar, the prism being integrated with or removably attached to the lumen defined by the viewing trocar. Alternatively or in addition, the angled endoscope can be configured with a prism that is integrated with or removably attached to the endoscope.

Alternatively or additionally, the viewing trocar can be configured with a retention feature at block 406. As described above, such retention features and structures can be any features that allow the light refractive element to be placed in and/or attached to the viewing trocar.

It should be understood that the present disclosure can be used with any image sensor (whether a CMOS image sensor or a CCD image sensor) without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the image sensor can be positioned anywhere within the overall system, including but not limited to the tip of the endoscope, the handpiece of the imaging device or camera, the control unit, or any other location within the system without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Specific implementations of image sensors that may be utilized with the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, the following image sensors, which are merely examples of various types of sensors that may be utilized with the present disclosure.

Referring now to Figures 5A and 5B, these figures illustrate perspective and side views, respectively, of an implementation of a monolithic sensor 500 having multiple pixel arrays for generating three-dimensional images in accordance with the teachings and principles of the present disclosure. Such an implementation may be desirable for three-dimensional image capture, wherein the two pixel arrays 502 and 504 may be offset during use. In another implementation, the first pixel array 502 and the second pixel array 504 may be dedicated to receiving electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined wavelength range, wherein the first pixel array 502 is dedicated to electromagnetic radiation of a different wavelength range than the second pixel array 504.

Figures 6A and 6B respectively illustrate a perspective view and a side view of a specific implementation of an imaging sensor 600 constructed on multiple substrates. As shown, multiple pixel columns 604 forming the pixel array are located on a first substrate 602, and multiple circuit columns 608 are located on a second substrate 606. The figure also shows the electrical connections and communications between a column of pixels and its associated or corresponding circuit columns. In one specific implementation, the image sensor may have a pixel array separate from all or most of the supporting circuitry, while it may otherwise be manufactured so that its pixel array and supporting circuitry are on a single, monolithic substrate/chip. The present disclosure may use at least two substrates/chips, which are stacked together using three-dimensional stacking technology. The first of the two substrates/chips 602 can be processed using an imaging CMOS process. The first substrate/chip 602 may include only the pixel array or the pixel array surrounded by limiting circuitry. The second or subsequent substrates/chips 606 can be processed using any process, not necessarily an imaging CMOS process. Second substrate/chip 606 can be, but is not limited to, a high-density digital process for integrating various and multiple functions into a very limited space or area on the substrate/chip, a mixed-mode or analog process for integrating, for example, precise analog functions, an RF process for implementing wireless capabilities, or a MEMS (micro-electromechanical system) process for integrating MEMS devices. Image CMOS substrate/chip 602 can be stacked with second or subsequent substrate/chips 606 using any three-dimensional technology. Second substrate/chip 606 can support most or most of the circuitry that would otherwise be implemented as peripheral circuitry in first image CMOS chip 602 (if implemented on a monolithic substrate/chip), thereby increasing the overall system area while maintaining the pixel array size constant and optimized to the greatest extent possible. Electrical connections between the two substrates/chips can be made via interconnects 603 and 605, which can be bond wires, bumps, and/or TSVs (through-silicon vias).

7A and 7B illustrate perspective and side views, respectively, of an embodiment of an imaging sensor 700 having multiple pixel arrays for generating three-dimensional images. A three-dimensional image sensor can be constructed on multiple substrates and can include multiple pixel arrays and other associated circuitry, wherein a plurality of pixel columns 704a forming a first pixel array and a plurality of pixel columns 704b forming a second pixel array are located on respective substrates 702a and 702b, respectively, and a plurality of circuitry columns 708a and 708b are located on a separate substrate 706. Electrical connections and communications between the pixel columns and the associated or corresponding circuitry columns are also shown.

It should be understood that the teachings and principles of the present disclosure can be used for reusable device platforms, limited use device platforms, resettable device platforms or single use/disposable device platforms without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that in a reusable device platform, the end user is responsible for the cleaning and disinfection of the device. In a limited use device platform, the device can be used a specified number of times before becoming inoperable. In the case of additional use, a typical new device is delivered sterile and requires the end user to clean and disinfect it before additional use. In a resettable device platform, a third party can reprocess the device (e.g., clean, package and disinfect) the single use device for additional use at a lower cost than a new unit. In a single use/disposable device platform, a sterile device is provided to the operating room and can only be used once before being disposed of.

Additionally, the teachings and principles of the present disclosure may encompass any and all wavelengths of electromagnetic energy, including the visible and invisible spectrum, such as infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), and X-rays.

For the purpose of illustration and description, the above-mentioned specific embodiments have been provided. These specific embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the specific forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations can be made to the present disclosure based on the above-mentioned teachings. In addition, it should be noted that any or all of the aforementioned alternative embodiments can be used in any desired combination to form another mixed embodiment of the present disclosure.

In addition, although specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been described and illustrated, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts as described and illustrated. The scope of the present disclosure will be defined by the claims appended hereto, any future claims filed here and in different applications, and their equivalents.

Claims (23)

1. An endoscope system, comprising: An angled endoscope, the endoscope including a light-collecting element configured to collect and focus light, wherein the light-collecting element is angled relative to a plane extending transversely to the axis of the endoscope; A cannula including a window, the cannula being configured to be operatively connected to the endoscope; and A light refraction element configured to bend light received through the window along a direction of travel toward the light collection element. 2. The endoscope system of claim 1, wherein the angle between the plane extending relative to the axis transverse to the endoscope is approximately 30 degrees. 3. The endoscope system of claim 1, wherein the window includes a transparent or translucent sharp tip positioned at the distal end of the cannula. 4. The endoscope system of claim 1, wherein the light refraction element is angled such that the direction of travel is substantially perpendicular to the light acquisition element. 5. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the light refraction element comprises a prism. 6. The endoscope system of claim 1, wherein the light refractive element is attached to the cannula. 7. The endoscope system of claim 6, wherein the light refractive element is removably attached to the lumen defined by the cannula. 8. The endoscope system of claim 1, wherein the light refractive element is integrated with the lumen defined by the cannula. 9. The endoscope system of claim 1, wherein the light refractive element is removably attached to the endoscope. 10. A cannula, comprising: A plug extending axially from a distal end to a proximal end, the plug being configured to be operatively connected to an angled endoscope through a lumen defined by the plug, the plug including a window located at or near the distal end and comprising: A light refractive element configured to bend light received through the window toward a light-collecting element associated with the endoscope, wherein the light-collecting element is angled relative to a plane extending transversely to the axis of the endoscope; and A retaining element is configured to allow the light refraction element to be one or both of the following: placed within the plug to bend the light toward the light collecting element, or attached to the plug to bend the light toward the light collecting element. 11. The cannula of claim 10, wherein the angle between the plane extending transversely to the axis of the endoscope and the plane is approximately 30 degrees. 12. The cannula according to claim 10, wherein the light refraction element comprises a prism. 13. The cannula of claim 10, wherein the retaining element comprises at least one of: a mechanical structure, an adhesive, and/or a region within the lumen. 14. The cannula of claim 10, wherein the window includes a transparent or translucent sharp tip positioned at the distal end of the cannula. 15. The cannula of claim 10, wherein the light refraction element is angled such that the direction of travel is substantially perpendicular to the light collection element. 16. The cannula of claim 10, wherein the light refractive element is attached to the cannula. 17. The cannula of claim 10, wherein the light refractive element is removably attached to the lumen defined by the cannula. 18. The cannula of claim 10, wherein the light refractive element is integrated with the lumen defined by the cannula. 19. The cannula of claim 10, wherein the light refraction element is removably attached to the endoscope. 20. A method for endoscopic light refraction imaging, comprising: A cannula configured for operable connection with an angled endoscope; and The cannula is configured as follows: A light refractive element that bends light toward a light-collecting element associated with the endoscope at an angle, wherein the light-collecting element is angled relative to a plane extending transversely to the axis of the endoscope; and A retaining element is configured to allow the light refraction element to be one or both of the following: placed inside the cannula to bend the light toward the light collecting element, or attached to the cannula to bend the light toward the light collecting element. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the light refraction element comprises a prism. 22. The method of claim 20, wherein the retaining element comprises at least one of: a mechanical structure, an adhesive, and/or a region within a lumen defined by the cannula. 23. The method of claim 20, wherein bending the light toward the light-collecting element comprises bending the light along a direction of travel substantially perpendicular to the light-collecting element.