Optoelectronic module comprising ultrasound transducer and imaging apparatus using the same

Abstract

The present invention provides an optoelectronic module and an imaging apparatus such as an endoscope (e.g. an angioscope and a bronchoscope) comprising such module. The optoelectronic module includes a housing, an image sensor, and an ultrasound transducer positioned in its entirety behind the image sensor. The image sensor's face has a perimeter S, the cross section of the optoelectronic module along the face has a perimeter H, and S<H<1.6S. In an example, illumination components such as a flashing LED and the image sensor are confined within the minimum bounding circle of the sensor's face. The invention exhibits technical advantages such as minimized size of the insert portion of the endoscopy, and live visual aid during the insertion of ultrasound probe.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.