Medical scope with capacitive sensor unit
AssigneeKARL STORZ Imaging, Inc.
InventorsJonathan Bormet, Larry Oslie
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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.
Claims24
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 a first electronic controller;
- a capacitive sensing unit disposed along an outer surface of the handle, the capacitive sensing unit including a plurality of capacitive sensors arranged the outer surface of the handle;
- and
- wherein the electronic controller is operable to process an actuation of the plurality of capacitive sensors so as to control a camera control function.
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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 along the outer surface of the handle;
- and
- sliding a finger along the capacitive sensing unit, 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.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.