Endoscope System with Multiple Connection Interfaces to Interface with Different Video Data Signal Sources
AssigneeEndoChoice, Inc.
InventorsIdan Levy, Roei Atias, Golan Salman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Endoscopes having a tip section with viewing elements coupled to a CMOS image sensor and/or a CCD image sensor for transforming light captured by the viewing element into digital and/or analog signals are described. A main connector is coupled with the tip section for transmitting the signals to a main control unit of the endoscope. The main connector includes a pad for transmitting digital signals provided by the CMOS image sensor to a push pin probe in a receptacle of the main control unit. The main connector also include another interface for transmitting analog signals to the main control unit.
Claims20
An endoscope system comprising:
- an endoscope comprising:
- a tip section having at least one viewing element;
- a main connector coupled with the tip section and configured to receive and transmit a first set of video data signals from the at least one viewing element wherein the main connector comprises at least one pad;
- and
- a control unit comprising:
- a receptacle positioned on an exterior surface of the control unit and configured to receive the main connector, wherein the receptacle has a first region, wherein the first region comprises at least one probe, wherein said at least one probe comprises a spring loaded pin, and wherein, upon attachment of the main connector to said receptacle, the at least one probe abuts the at least one pad such that the at least one probe is compressed.
An endoscope system comprising:
- an endoscope comprising
- a tip section having a first viewing element and a second viewing element;
- a main connector coupled with the tip section and configured to receive and transmit a first set of video data signals from the first viewing element and a second set of video data signals from the second viewing element, wherein the main connector comprises a first pad in data communication with the first viewing element and a second pad in data communication with the second viewing element;
- and
- a control unit comprising
- a receptacle positioned on an exterior surface of the control unit and configured to receive the main connector, wherein the receptacle has a first region, wherein the first region comprises a first probe and a second probe, wherein each of the first probe and second probe comprises a spring loaded pin, and wherein, upon attachment of the main connector to said receptacle, the first probe abuts the first pad such that the first probe is compressed and the second probe abuts the second pad such that the second probe is compressed.
An endoscope control unit configured to attach to, and be in data communication with, an endoscope, the endoscope control unit comprising
- a receptacle positioned on an exterior surface of the control unit and configured to receive a main connector of the endoscope;
- a first region positioned within an exterior face of the receptacle, wherein the first region comprises a first probe, wherein the first probe comprises a spring loaded pin configured to receive a first set of video data signals having a first bandwidth;
- a second region positioned within the exterior face of the receptacle and separated from the first region, wherein the second region comprises an interface configured to receive a second set of video data signals having a second bandwidth.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.