Method and apparatus to calibrate an endoscope while maintiainng a sterile endoscope tip

Abstract

An endoscope includes a distal tip with a sterile cap disposed on the distal tip. The sterile cap reduces the exposure of the distal tip to contamination and includes an integrating sphere that enables calibration of an image sensor disposed in the endoscope. By enabling calibration of the image sensor while the sterile cap remains on the distal tip of the endoscope, the image sensor can be calibrated while maintaining the sterility of the endoscope. The sterile cap can be disposed on the distal tip of the endoscope under sterile conditions, placed in a sterile packaging, and can be removed just before a medical procedure to reduce the risk of exposing the endoscope to contamination.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.