Interface for a variable direction of view endoscope
AssigneeEndActive, Inc.
InventorsEric L. Hale, Nathan J. Schara, Hans D. Høeg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An interface for a variable direction of view endoscope having an input device for receiving commands from the user, an output device for adjusting the endoscope, and an electronic processing device to determine the appropriate output based on the given input. The processing device may be configured to allow operation assisting features including a coordinate system aligned with the current view, a coordinate system aligned with the user's surroundings, a coordinate system aligned with the operating cavity, a memory to facilitate the immediate return to a user selected direction of view, and a clear indication of the current direction of view.
Claims25
A system for viewing the inside of a cavity using a variable direction of view endoscope, wherein a view vector is located at a distal end of said endoscope, and wherein said endoscope has a current endoscope configuration, comprising:
- an input device that receives commands from a user;
- a tracking device that provides view vector orientation information;
- a processing device that receives said commands and said orientation information and performs operations comprising the calculation of a desired endoscope configuration based on said commands and said orientation information, wherein said commands are interpreted by said processing device with respect to a control coordinate system that can change in alignment with said endoscope;
- a control device that adjusts said endoscope to make said current endoscope configuration equivalent to said desired endoscope configuration;
- and
- a display device that displays a current endoscopic view.
A system for viewing the inside of a cavity using a variable direction of view endoscope, wherein a view vector is located at a distal end of said endoscope, and wherein said endoscope has a current endoscope configuration, comprising:
- an input device that receives commands from a user;
- a tracking device that provides view vector orientation information;
- a processing device that receives said commands and said orientation information and performs operations comprising the calculation of a desired endoscope configuration based on said commands and said orientation information, wherein said commands are interpreted by said processing device with respect to a control coordinate system that can change in alignment with said endoscope, and wherein said endoscope becomes adjusted such that said current endoscope configuration is equivalent to said desired endoscope configuration;
- and
- a viewing device that provides a current endoscopic view.
A system for viewing the inside of a cavity using a variable direction of view endoscope, wherein a view vector is located at a distal end of said endoscope, and wherein said endoscope has a current endoscope configuration, comprising:
- an input means for receiving commands from a user;
- a tracking means for providing view vector orientation information;
- a processing means for receiving said commands and said orientation information and for performing operations, comprising the calculation of a desired endoscope configuration based on said commands and said orientation information, wherein said commands are interpreted by said processing device with respect to a control coordinate system that can change in alignment with said endoscope;
- an adjusting means for adjusting said endoscope to make said current endoscope configuration equivalent to said desired endoscope configuration;
- and
- a viewing means for providing a current endoscopic view.
An interface for use with a variable direction of view endoscope, wherein a distal portion of said endoscope is disposed within a cavity, comprising:
- an input means for receiving commands from a user;
- a tracking means for providing view vector orientation information;
- a processing means for receiving said commands and said orientation information and performing operations, comprising the calculation of a coordinate system that can change in alignment with said endoscope;
- and
- a viewing means for providing a current endoscopic view.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.