Medical imagaing system
AssigneeArthrex, Inc.
InventorsBRUCE LAURENCE KENNEDY, DAVID A. D'ALFONSO
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Abstract
A medical imaging system includes multiple illuminating endoscopes with cameras having image sensors exposure control and a frame memory. The exposure control of each camera activates the frame memory and light source for collection of selected frame images by the frame memory. A data link among the endoscopes synchronizes exclusive initiation of the exposure controls in recurring serial order for activation of each respective frame memory and light source.
Claims15
A medical imaging system comprising:
- a plurality of endoscopic video cameras, each endoscopic video camera further comprising:
- a light source;
- an image sensor capable of sensing video frame images;
- and
- a frame memory capable of collecting sensed video frame images;
- a controller coupled to the plurality of endoscopic video cameras, the controller synchronizing the endoscopic video cameras for alternate illumination by the light sources, and for alternate collection of the video frame images by the frame memories such that at least one endoscopic video camera frame memory is deactivated when the frame memory of another endoscopic video camera is collecting video frame images.
A process for using two endoscopic cameras in a medical procedure, each endoscopic camera including an image sensor capable of sensing video frame images, a video output for selected sensed video frame images, and a light source having a first mode of direct lighting, comprising the steps of
- positioning the endoscopic cameras at a surgical site;
- synchronizing the endoscopic cameras for alternate first mode illumination by the light sources and for selecting video frame images from each endoscopic camera only during first mode illumination of the light source of that camera;
- and
- communicating the selected video frame images to the respective video outputs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.