Optical caliper for 3-d endoscopic imaging and measurement

A method of generating a three-dimensional (3-D) image of an object, comprising:

• transmitting a first light ray through a first optical path associated with an optical axis of an optical channel;
• transmitting a second light ray through a second optical path associated with along the optical axis;
• receiving a first set of images captured by an image sensor, wherein the first set of images pertain to the first light ray;
• receiving a second set of images captured from the image sensor, wherein the second set of images pertain to the second light ray;
• and
• generating, using the first and second sets of images, the 3-D image.

A system for an endoscope, comprising:

• a camera head coupled to an optical channel;
• a light port coupled to the endoscope and configured to receive a first light ray, wherein the first light ray travels through a first optical path along an optical axis of the optical channel;
• a depth measurement module coupled to the endoscope, wherein the depth measurement module is configured to generate a grid pattern and transmit the grid pattern and a second light ray toward a beam splitter, wherein the beam splitter is configured to reflect at least a portion of the grid pattern and the second light ray through the optical axis;
• an image sensor configured to receive a first set of images captured from the camera, wherein the first set of images pertain to the first light ray;
• a second image sensor configured to receive a second set of images captured from the camera, wherein the second set of images pertain to the second light ray;
• and
• a processing device configured to receive the first and second sets of images and the grid pattern from the image sensors and use the first and second sets of images and the grid pattern to generate one or more three-dimensional (3-D) images.