Stereo imaging acquisition by lens translation

A method for generating a stereo image for an object, the method comprising:

• disposing a translating lens apparatus to receive light from the object, wherein the translating lens apparatus is configured to move a lens laterally to a first extent and laterally to a second extent opposite the first extent, wherein the first extent has a first distance and the second extent has a second distance;
• moving the lens to the first extent and directing light from the object through the lens to an image capture apparatus;
• capturing a first image with the image capture apparatus;
• moving the lens to the second extent and directing light from the object through the lens to the image capture apparatus;
• capturing a second image with the image capture apparatus;
• and
• processing the first image and the second image to produce a stereo image for the object.

A system for stereo imaging comprising:

• a translating lens apparatus, wherein the translating lens apparatus comprises:
• a translating lens with an aperture having a diameter less than a diameter of the translating lens;
• a lens holder mechanically coupled to the translating lens, wherein the lens holder is configured to move bilaterally;
• an actuating apparatus mechanically coupled to the lens holder, wherein the actuating apparatus is configured to move the lens holder in a first lateral direction to a first maximum extent and to move the lens holder in a second lateral direction opposite to the first lateral direction to a second maximum extent;
• and,
• an imaging apparatus receiving light directed through the translating lens, wherein the imaging apparatus is configured to capture a first image when the lens holder is at the first maximum extent and to capture a second image when the lens holder is at the second maximum extent;
• a lens controller electrically coupled to the actuating apparatus, wherein the lens controller is configured to control lens movement;
• a power supply electrically coupled to the lens controller;
• and,
• a video processor configured to receive images from the imaging apparatus and further configured to synchronize the lens movement with images received by the video processor and further configured to generate stereo images.

A sensor for imaging areas during internal surgery, the sensor comprising:

• a translating lens with a diameter less than or equal to 1 mm and having an aperture with a diameter less than 1 mm;
• a lens holder mechanically coupled to the translating lens, wherein the lens holder is configured to move bilaterally;
• an actuating apparatus mechanically coupled to the lens holder, wherein the actuating apparatus is configured to move the lens holder in a first lateral direction to a first maximum extent and to move the lens holder in a second lateral direction opposite to the first lateral direction to a second maximum extent;
• an imaging apparatus receiving light directed through the translating lens, wherein the imaging apparatus is configured to capture a first image when the lens holder is at the first maximum extent and to capture a second image when the lens holder is at the second maximum extent;
• and,
• a cylindrical housing configured to contain at least portions of the translating lens, the lens holder, the actuating apparatus, and the imaging apparatus, wherein the cylindrical housing has a diameter of less than or equal to 3.5 mm.

A micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) based image sensor comprising:

• a fixed substrate comprising semiconductor material;
• a translating lens;
• a lens holder comprising semiconductor material, wherein the lens holder is mechanically coupled to the translating lens and wherein the lens holder is configured to move bilaterally to a maximum positive extent of up to +100 μm and to a maximum negative extent of up to −100 μm;
• a first comb drive actuator disposed at a first end of the lens holder, wherein the first comb drive actuator comprises a plurality of first movable interdigitated fingers disposed on the first end of the lens holder and a plurality of first fixed interdigitated fingers disposed on the fixed substrate, wherein the first movable interdigitated fingers move into gaps between the first fixed interdigitated fingers when the first comb drive actuator is electrically energized;
• a second comb drive actuator disposed at a second end of the lens holder, wherein the second comb drive actuator comprises a plurality of second movable interdigitated fingers disposed on the second end of the lens holder and a plurality of second fixed interdigitated fingers disposed on the fixed substrate, wherein the second movable interdigitated fingers move into gaps between the second fixed interdigitated fingers when the second comb drive actuator is electrically energized;
• and
• an imaging apparatus receiving light directed through the translating lens, wherein the imaging apparatus is configured to capture a first image when the lens holder is at the maximum positive extent and to capture a second image when the lens holder is at the maximum negative extent.

A method for tracking a surgical instrument during a minimally invasive surgical procedure such as a LESS or NOTES type by providing stereo imagery during the procedure, the method comprising:

• providing a surgical instrument;
• providing a surgical instrument guide attached to the surgical instrument having means for producing a magnified 3-D image of the immediate operational area said image optionally including a surgical instrument or portions thereof and/or portions of an operational field, wherein the surgical instrument guide has a MEMS translation lens optical system providing an image shift and wherein the MEMS translation lens optical system provides an image shift according to the following equation:
• visible image shift=δ×(γ+1)
• where δ is a physical shift distance of a translating lens relative to an optical axis of the system in the MEMS translation lens portion;
• and
• where γ is a magnification of an object related to a distance of the object from the translating lens.