Various embodiments of the present invention comprise endoscopes for viewing inside a cavity of a body such as a vessel like a vein or artery. These endoscopes may include at least one solid state emitter such as a light emitting diode (LED) that is inserted into the body cavity to provide illumination therein. Certain embodiments of the invention comprise disposable endoscopes that can be fabricated relatively inexpensively such that discarding these endoscopses after a single use is cost-effective. The endoscope may comprise a lens holder on a distal end of the endoscope for collection of light reflected from surfaces within the body in which the endoscope is inserted. This lens holder may have an inner cavity through which light passes along an optical path. Reflective surfaces on sidewalls of the inner cavity may direct light along this optical path. The endoscope may further comprise an elongated support structure for supporting a plurality of lenses disposed along the optical path. This optical path may lead to a detector onto which images are formed.

Disclosed is a digital device 100 facilitating body cavity diagnosis. The device 100 enables body cavity diagnosis without using a speculum. The device 100 comprises a casing 101 for enclosing a probe with additional channels 102. The additional channels 102 comprises a plurality of instruments. The probe 103 is configured for optical and digital diagnosis of abnormalities in the body cavities. The probe 103 is connected to wireless communication components for displaying captured images. The probe 103 comprises an in-situ image capturing means 106 with a light source for capturing images of abnormalities, image processing means coupled to a computing device for digital image diagnosis and angulation wires 107 for providing angulation control to the image capturing means. The casing 101 has a transparent cap 105 configured for visualizing structure of the cavity. The casing 101 comprises an expandable outer cuff 104, for separating the walls of a body part.

Disclosed is a digital device 100 facilitating body cavity diagnosis. The device 100 enables body cavity diagnosis without using a speculum. The device 100 comprises a casing 101 for enclosing a probe with additional channels 102. The additional channels 102 comprises a plurality of instruments. The probe 103 is configured for optical and digital diagnosis of abnormalities in the body cavities. The probe 103 is connected to wireless communication components for displaying captured images. The probe 103 comprises an in-situ image capturing means 106 with a light source for capturing images of abnormalities, image processing means coupled to a computing device for digital image diagnosis and angulation wires 107 for providing angulation control to the image capturing means. The casing 101 has a transparent cap 105 configured for visualizing structure of the cavity. The casing 101 comprises an expandable outer cuff 104, for separating the walls of a body part.

A video endoscopic device has a camera head and two parallel optical arrangements, each with optical components, arranged coaxially with one another along a common first optical axis of the optical components of a respective optical arrangement and in the interior of an endoscope shaft. The optical components transmit an optical image from a distal end of the respective optical arrangement to a proximal end of the respective optical arrangement. The camera head contains at least one image sensor comprising a recording plane and at least two projection objectives, each having a second optical axis and arranged to project an image onto the image sensor. The optical arrangements comprise a collimating optical unit for generating an at least approximately parallel beam path at the outlet of the respective optical arrangement. The respective collimating optical unit has a third optical axis arranged coaxially with the optical components of the optical arrangements.

A video endoscopic device has a camera head and two parallel optical arrangements, each with optical components, arranged coaxially with one another along a common first optical axis of the optical components of a respective optical arrangement and in the interior of an endoscope shaft. The optical components transmit an optical image from a distal end of the respective optical arrangement to a proximal end of the respective optical arrangement. The camera head contains at least one image sensor comprising a recording plane and at least two projection objectives, each having a second optical axis and arranged to project an image onto the image sensor. The optical arrangements comprise a collimating optical unit for generating an at least approximately parallel beam path at the outlet of the respective optical arrangement. The respective collimating optical unit has a third optical axis arranged coaxially with the optical components of the optical arrangements.

Surgical access port stabilization systems and methods are described herein. Such systems and methods can be employed to provide ipsilateral stabilization of a surgical access port, e.g., during spinal surgeries. In one embodiment, a surgical system can include an access port configured for percutaneous insertion into a patient to define a channel to a surgical site and an anchor configured for insertion into the patient's bone. Further, the access port can be coupled to the anchor such that a longitudinal axis of the access port and a longitudinal axis of the anchor are non-coaxial. With such a system, a surgeon or other user can access a surgical site through the access port without the need for external or other stabilization of the access port, but can instead position the access port relative to an anchor already placed in the patient's body.

Surgical access port stabilization systems and methods are described herein. Such systems and methods can be employed to provide ipsilateral stabilization of a surgical access port, e.g., during spinal surgeries. In one embodiment, a surgical system can include an access port configured for percutaneous insertion into a patient to define a channel to a surgical site and an anchor configured for insertion into the patient's bone. Further, the access port can be coupled to the anchor such that a longitudinal axis of the access port and a longitudinal axis of the anchor are non-coaxial. With such a system, a surgeon or other user can access a surgical site through the access port without the need for external or other stabilization of the access port, but can instead position the access port relative to an anchor already placed in the patient's body.

Various embodiments comprise endoscopes (e.g., arthroscopes) for viewing inside a cavity of a body. The endoscopes may include at least one solid state emitter such as a light emitting diode (LED) located at the distal end of the endoscope. The endoscope may comprise a thermally conductive cradle attached to the distal end of the endoscope. The thermally conductive cradle may be configured to dissipate heat generated by the solid state emitter away from the distal end of the endoscope. The thermally conductive cradle may also be electrically conductive. Further, the thermally conductive cradle may also function as a support structure for a plurality of lenses.

Various embodiments comprise endoscopes (e.g., arthroscopes) for viewing inside a cavity of a body. The endoscopes may include at least one solid state emitter such as a light emitting diode (LED) located at the distal end of the endoscope. The endoscope may comprise a thermally conductive cradle attached to the distal end of the endoscope. The thermally conductive cradle may be configured to dissipate heat generated by the solid state emitter away from the distal end of the endoscope. The thermally conductive cradle may also be electrically conductive. Further, the thermally conductive cradle may also function as a support structure for a plurality of lenses.

Medical imaging camera head devices and methods are provided using light captured by an endoscope system or other medical scope or borescope. Afocal light from the scope is manipulated and split. The resulting first and second beams are passed through focusing optics to a single sensor. To take better advantage of the available number image sensor pixels, the beam may pass through lens elements (or prisms) to generate an anamorphic aspect ratio prior to being split, increasing the resolution of the image in one dimension. The afocal anamorphic beam is then split, and both images are focused on the image sensor. The anamorphism is compensated for in image processing, permitting higher resolution in one dimension along the image sensor. The manipulation of the beams prior to being split (and in some cases after or while being split) can take several forms, each offering distinct advantages over existing systems.