Medical scope with capacitive sensor unit
AssigneeKARL STORZ Imaging, Inc.
InventorsJonathan Bormet, Larry Oslie
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided is an imaging system including a video endoscope, the video endoscope having a handle, and an endoscope. The endoscope includes an image sensor fixedly mounted within the endoscope. A capacitive sensing unit is disposed along an outer surface of the handle. The capacitive sensing unit includes a plurality of capacitive sensors disposed on the outer surface of the handle. The handle includes an electronic controller operable to process an actuation of the plurality of capacitive sensors so as to control a camera control function and determine a medical procedure and/or an identity of the user.
Claims14
A video endoscope comprising:
- an endoscopic shaft including an image sensor fixedly mounted within the endoscopic shaft;
- a handle fixedly attached to the endoscopic shaft, the handle including an electronic controller;
- and
- a capacitive sensing unit disposed along at least an outer surface of the handle, the capacitive sensing unit including a plurality of capacitive sensors arranged on at least the outer surface of the handle,
- wherein the electronic controller is operable to process an actuation of the plurality of capacitive sensors so as to control a camera control function;
- wherein the electronic controller is configured to process a signal from the capacitive sensing unit to determine a grip profile;
- wherein the electronic controller or a system controller in communication with the electronic controller includes a memory, and the memory includes a list of a plurality of medical procedures, each medical procedure having an associated grip profile;
- and
- wherein the electronic controller or system controller is configured to identify from said grip profile and said list, which medical procedure from a plurality of potential medical procedures is most likely being performed.
A method of operating an imaging system, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a video endoscope including:
- an endoscopic shaft including an image sensor fixedly mounted within the endoscopic shaft;
- a handle fixedly attached to the endoscopic shaft, the handle including a first electronic controller;
- and
- a capacitive sensing unit disposed along an outer surface of the handle, the capacitive sensing unit including a plurality of capacitive sensors arranged radially about a longitudinal axis of the handle on the outer surface of the handle and as an annular control ring;
- sliding a finger along the annular control ring, wherein the electronic controller is further configured to process an actuation of the plurality of capacitive sensors so as to control a camera control function in accordance with a direction of the slide,
- processing a signal, by the electronic controller, from the capacitive sensing unit to determine a grip profile;
- and
- accessing a memory within the electronic controller or a system controller in communication with the electronic controller, the memory storing a list of a plurality of medical procedures, each of the plurality of medical procedures having an associated grip profile;
- and
- identifying from said grip profile and said list, which medical procedure from a plurality of potential medical procedures is most likely being performed,
- wherein a predetermined number of capacitive sensors of the capacitive sensing unit is further disposed on an outer surface of the endoscopic shaft, and
- wherein the camera control function includes rotating an image provided by the image sensor on a display in accordance with the direction of the slide.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.