There are provided an endoscopic diagnosis apparatus, lesion portion size detection method, and a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium that enable easy detection of the size of a lesion portion using an endoscope. This object is achieved by capturing an endoscopic image by emitting light having a regular repetitive pattern onto a subject, detecting, from the endoscopic image, a region in which a repetitive pattern is different from the repetitive pattern of the emitted light, and detecting at least one of a length and area of a lesion portion by using a number of repetitive patterns in the region in which the repetitive pattern is different and a size of a unit of repetition in the repetitive pattern.

A projector in an endoscope is used to project visible light onto tissue. The projected intensity, color, and/or wavelength vary by spatial location in the field of view to provide an overlay. Rather than relying on a rendered overlay alpha-blended on a captured image, the illumination with spatial variation physically highlights one or more regions of interest or physically overlays on the tissue.

A digital dental tray system is described including a dental tray shaped to at least partially surround a plurality of teeth and a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) optical imaging elements attached to the dental tray. Each of the 3D optical imaging elements comprises a structured light projector to project a light pattern onto one or more teeth of the plurality of teeth and a camera to capture an image of the one or more teeth.

An apparatus, system and process for utilizing dual complementary pattern illumination of a scene when performing depth reconstruction of the scene are described. The method may include projecting a first reference image and a complementary second reference image on a scene, and capturing first image data and second image data including the first reference image and the complementary second reference image on the scene. The method may also include identifying features of the first reference image from features of the complementary second reference image. Furthermore, the method may include performing three dimensional (3D) scene reconstruction for image data captured by the imaging device based on the identified features in the first reference image.

An intra-oral optical scanning method for intra-oral optical scanning including projecting a pattern, the pattern including at least a first area illuminated by a first color of light and a second area illuminated by a second color of light and at least one non-illuminated area onto an intra-oral feature, making a first image of the first area, the second area and the non-illuminated area differentiating between the first color of light and the second color of light in the first image of the projected pattern, and determining from the image of the non-illuminated area at least one of an ambient light level, a level of scattered light, a level of light absorption and a level of light reflected from at least one of the first area and the second area. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

A system comprises a dental tray comprising an array of cameras, wherein each camera of the first array of cameras has a fixed position and orientation relative to one or more other camera of the array of cameras. The system further comprises a processing device to receive a plurality of images generated by the array of cameras, stitch the plurality of images together based on calibration data specifying predetermined image stitching parameters for combining the plurality of images, wherein the predetermined image stitching parameters are based on predetermined fixed relative positions and orientations of cameras from the array of cameras, and generate a three-dimensional model of a plurality of teeth based on the stitched plurality of images.

An endoscopic device comprising a housing, first imaging means in the housing for detecting light emanating from objects from a predetermined first surrounding region annularly surrounding the endoscopic device and for producing a first image of the first surrounding region, a first image sensor for detecting the first image and for producing a first image signal, a first image sensor for sensing the first image and for generating a first image signal representing the first image, a second imaging means in the housing for sensing light emanating from objects in a predetermined second surrounding region and for generating a second image of the second surrounding region, and a second image sensor for sensing the second image and for generating a second image signal representing the second image. The first imaging device comprises a catadioptric imaging system with a first reflective surface, a second reflective surface, and a light refracting interface.

A surgical access assembly comprises a trocar and a surgical instrument. The trocar comprises a housing and an access tube extending distally from the housing. The housing comprises a hollow light emitter. The housing and the access tube define a lumen extending through the housing and the access tube. The hollow light emitter is configured to project light in the lumen. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector and a shaft extending proximally from the end effector. The shaft comprises an optical receiver positioned within reach of the light from the hollow light emitter. The shaft further comprises a light guide extending from the optical receiver along at least a portion of the shaft toward the end effector.

The technology disclosed can be implemented to construct devices with an array of optical elements to provide power to stimulate a biological process in a nerve system in living objects, and to provide patterned light outputs from the array of optical elements to indicate a corresponding electrical pattern monitored from the biological process in the nerve system. In one aspect a nerve stimulator apparatus is disclosed including a plurality of optical to electrical transducers arranged in a two-dimensional array, wherein each of the plurality of optical to electrical transducers is configured to convert light to an electrical signal; a plurality of electrodes, each electrode associated with one or more associated optical to electrical transducers; and a plurality of electrical interconnects to connect each of the plurality of electrodes to the one or more associated optical transducers. In another aspect nerve sensor apparatus is disclosed including a plurality of optical to electrical transducers; a plurality of optical sources; a plurality of electrodes, each electrode associated with one or more optical to electrical transducers, each optical source configured to modulate light output according to a voltage at one of the plurality of electrodes; and a plurality of electrical interconnects.

A surgical apparatus is provided including an endoscope, a camera, a light source, and a structured light pattern source. The endoscope includes an elongate body having a plurality of segments manipulatable relative to one another. The camera, light source, and structured light pattern source cooperate to determine the topography of a surface within a patient. A method of performing surgery is also provided.