Dynamic aperture positioning for stereo endoscopic cameras

Abstract

A stereoscopic endoscope comprises at least one image sensor for sensing a first image and a second image of a pair of stereo images. The first image is sensed based on light passing through a first aperture within the stereoscopic endoscope. The second image is sensed based on light passing through a second aperture within the stereoscopic endoscope. The stereoscopic endoscope further comprises a liquid crystal layer disposed between two layers of glass. The two layers of glass comprise a first arrangement of electrodes, such that each of the first aperture and the second aperture is created in the liquid crystal layer using a portion of the first arrangement of electrodes. A polarization state associated with each of the first and second apertures are controlled using corresponding control signals provided through the first arrangement of electrodes.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.