Connector module for video endoscopic system

In a video endoscopic system including a video processor having an illumination source, a video monitor connected to the processor, and an insertion tube having a solid state imaging device at its distal end;

• the improvement comprising an interface module for releasably connecting the insertion tube to the processor, the proximal end of the insertion tube being operatively connected to the module, first coacting means in the module and processor for releasably securing the former to the latter, a fiber optic bundle in the module for transmitting light through the insertion tube to the distal end thereof, second coacting means in the module and processor for positioning the light receiving end face of the bundle at the focal point of the illumination source when the module and processor are secured together, and coacting electrical connector means on the module and processor that interengage to connect circuitry in the module with circuitry in the processor when the module and processor are secured together.

In a video endoscopic system including a video processor having an illumination source, a video monitor connected to the processor, and an insertion tube having a solid state imaging device at its distal end;

• the improvement comprising an interface module for releasably connecting the insertion tube to the processor, the proximal end of the insertion tube being operatively connected to the module, first coacting means in the module and processor for releasably securing the former to the latter, a fiber optic bundle in the module for transmitting light through the insertion tube to the distal end thereof, second coacting means in the module and processor for positioning the light receiving end face of the bundle substantially at the focal point of the illumination source when the module and processor are secured together, an air supply conduit in the module for delivering air to the insertion tube, and third coacting means in the module and processor for connecting the conduit in a sealed manner to an air supply conduit in the processor when the module and processor are secured together.

In a video endoscopic system including a video processor having an illumination source, a video monitor connected to the processor, and an insertion tube having a solid state imaging device at its distal end;

• the improvement comprising an interface module for releasably connecting the insertion tube to the processor, the proximal end of the insertion tube being operatively connected to the module, first coacting means in the module and processor for releasably securing the former to the latter, the illumination source having a primary and a secondary light source, the secondary light source being a back-up source and being movable between inoperable and operable positions, the secondary light source normally being positioned in its inoperable position, a fiber optic bundle in the module for transmitting light through the insertion tube to the distal end thereof, and second coacting means in the module and processor for positioning the light receiving end face of the bundle at the focal point of the primary light source when the module and processor are secured together.

In a video endoscopic system having a video monitor, a video processor and illumination source, and an insertion tube having a solid state imaging device at its distal end;

• the improvement comprising an interface module for releasably connecting the insertion tube to the processor, the proximal end of the insertion tube being operatively connected to the module, circuitry in the module that accepts from the processor standard input signals for driving the solid state imaging device, and means forming a part of the circuitry for adjusting the input signals so that they are at the levels required to drive the particular imaging device in the insertion tube so that optimum video performance is achieved.

In a video endoscopic system having a video monitor, a video processor and illumination source, the processor including video processor circuitry, and an insertion tube having a solid state imaging device at its distal end;

• the improvement comprising an interface module for releasably connecting the insertion tube to the processor, the proximal end of the insertion tube being operatively connected to the module, circuitry in the module for transmitting video output signals from the solid state imaging device to the video processor circuitry in the processor, the video signal transmission circuitry including a video amplifier, and means for adjusting the gain of the amplifier so that its output drives the video processor in the manner required for optimum video performance.

In a video endoscopic system having a video monitor, a video processor and illumination source, the processor including video processor circuitry, and an insertion tube having a solid state imaging device at its distal end;

• the improvement comprising an interface module for releasably connecting the insertion tube to the processor, the proximal end of the insertion tube being operatively connected to the module, circuitry in the module that accepts from the processor standard input signals for driving the solid state imaging device, means forming a part of the circuitry for adjusting the input signals so that they are at the levels required to drive the particular imaging device in the insertion tube so that optimum video performance is achieved, and additional circuitry in the module for transmitting video output signals from the solid state imaging device to the video processor circuitry in the processor, the last-named circuitry including a video amplifier and means for adjusting the amplifier gain so that the amplifier has a low impedance output that drives the video processor in the manner required for optimum video performance.