Advanced 3-dimensional endoscopic system with real dynamic convergence

An endoscopic device for use in therapeutic, diagnostic, and other applications, for obtaining 3-dimensional human vision simulated imaging of a target object with dynamic convergence, the device comprising:

• a main tubular shaft having an exterior surface, a distal end, and an opposing proximal end;
• two probe arms movably mounted on the distal end of main tubular shaft for a combined 180-degree range of movement from a fully closed position wherein the probe arms are adjacent one another, the probe arms each having a distal end and a proximal end;
• at least two imaging probes coupled to the probe arms, each imaging probe having a longitudinal axis, and at least two of the imaging probes being functionally identical, wherein each of the probe arms has one of the functionally identical imaging probes movably secured thereto such that convergence of the imaging probes results in 3-dimensional human vision simulated imaging;
• a sensor for detecting a position of the device relative to a target object, the sensor coupled to the main tubular shaft;
• at least one motor configured to assist a convergence movement of the at least two imaging probes;
• at least one computer component configured to collect and analyze information regarding the position from the sensor and calculate and send to the at least one motor a corresponding amount and duration of power required to achieve convergence and divergence by the imaging probes;
• a gearbox depending from the proximal end of the main tubular shaft, the gearbox configured to facilitate engagement of a slider mechanism and a convergence adjustment;
• a data transmitting means configured to transmit the position of the device from the sensor to the at least one computer component;
• a power transmitter configured to transmit the calculated amount and duration of power from the computer component to the at least one motor;
• the slider mechanism configured to transmit movement of the at least one motor in response to a communication received from the computer component via the power transmitter to the gearbox;
• the convergence adjustment configured to further transmit movement of the at least one motor from the gearbox to achieve convergence of the imaging probes;
• a probe arm mechanism adapted for opening and closing the probe arms;
• and
• a controller configured to coordinate the computer component relating to activation and deactivation of the at least one motor and transmission of movement from the at least one motor through the slide mechanism to the convergence adjustment, and further to the imaging probes for convergence and 3-dimensional human vision simulated imaging.

A method for producing 3-dimensional human vision simulated imaging of a target object with real dynamic convergence in therapeutic and sensor applications, wherein the target object is located behind a limited-access opening, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a target object behind a limited access opening;
• providing an endoscopic device and obtaining a 3-dimensional human vision simulated image with real dynamic convergence, the device comprising:
• a main tubular shaft having an exterior surface, a distal end, and an opposing proximal end;
• a slider positioned for alternating back and forth movement along the exterior surface between the distal end and the proximal end;
• two probe arms, each movably mounted on the distal end for a combined 180-degree range movement from a fully closed position wherein the probe arms are adjacent to each other, the probe arms each having a distal end and a proximal end;
• at least two imaging probes coupled to the probe arms, each of the imaging probes having a longitudinal axis, at least two of said imaging probes being functionally identical, with each of the probe arms movably secured thereto in a manner allowing convergence of the imaging probes for providing the 3-dimensional human vision simulated imaging;
• a gearbox depending from the proximal end of the main tubular shaft, the gearbox configured for a reducing movement;
• a slider mechanism configured to transmit the back and forth slider movement relative to the main tubular shaft to the gearbox;
• a convergence adjustment configured to transmit to the imaging probes the back and forth slider movement after reduction by the gearbox, for causing convergence in the imaging probes;
• a probe arm mechanism configured to open and close the probe arms;
• and
• a controller configured to engage and disengage the slider mechanism and convergence adjustment, such that the back and forth slider movement after reduction by the gearbox is transmitted by the convergence adjustment to the imaging probes for convergence, and the slider mechanism and convergence adjustment each comprise at least one integrated movement element shared with the controller, the shared integrated movement element configured to assist in controlling engagement and disengagement of the slider mechanism and convergence adjustment by the controller;
• inserting the distal end of the main tubular shaft through the limited access opening with the probe arms in a zero position wherein the probe arms are adjacent to one another;
• using the probe arm mechanism to move the probe arms out of the zero position away from one another into an opened position between the fully closed position and a fully opened position;
• adjusting the controller to permit movement of the slider after reduction by the reducing gears in the gearbox to be transmitted to the imaging probes for convergence by the convergence adjustment;
• advancing the distal end of the main tubular shaft toward the target object, and thereby shortening a distance between the main tubular shaft and the target object while causing a linear movement by the slider away from the target object relative to the main tubular shaft, and causing the slider mechanism to transmit the backward linear movement to the gearbox, after which the gearbox reduces the backward linear movement by a pre-determined amount, creating a first quantity of reduced movement, the convergence adjustment thereafter transmitting the quantity of reduced movement to the imaging probes urging them toward one another to convergence on the target object while the probe arms remain in the opened position and the distal end remains at the shortened distance from the target object;
• and
• moving the distal end away from the target object, thereby lengthening a distance from the target object, wherein the slider moves toward the target object, causing the slider mechanism to transmit the forward linear movement of the slider to the gearbox, the reducing means in the gearbox reducing the forward linear movement by a pre-determined amount to create a second quantity of reduced movement, the convergence adjustment transmitting the second quantity of reduced movement to the imaging probes such that they move away from one another and convergence on the target object while the probe arms remain in the opened position and the distal end remains at the lengthened distance from the target object.