Camera fixture for stereoscopic imagery and method of using same

Claim 1

A stereoscopic endoscopic holder apparatus for holding a pair of elongated endoscopes projecting from respective cameras spaced apart a predetermined distance to orient the respective optical axes of said endoscopes focused at a predetermined angle converging inwardly toward one another to view a patient's body cavity and comprising: an endoscope holder including a frame and a pair of tubular devices formed with respective elongated open ended passages converging distally toward one another and configured for receipt of the respective said endoscopes to hold them in fixed relation to one another arranging said endoscopes with the respective optical axes converging at said predetermined angle and adjusters on the respective said tubular devices for holding the respective said endoscopes in the respective said tubular devices; a camera fixture including a pair of cradles spaced apart and configured to receive the respective said cameras therein, respective clamps for clamping the respective said cameras in the respective said cradles, an articulating connector connected between the respective said cradles to provide for movement of said cradles relative to one another and a restrictor for restricting articulation of said connector whereby said cameras may be nested in said cradles and said clamps tightened thereon and said articulation connector articulated to provide for articulation of said cradles relative to one another for shifting of the relative position of adjustment of the positioning of said endoscopes relative to one another so that said restrictor will then restrict relative movement of said cameras.

Claim 19

A method of stereoscopically observing a tissue in a patient's body cavity involving utilization of a pair of conventional elongated monoscopic endoscopes including elongated optical tubes of a predetermined size and configuration and having respective axial optical axes leading from camera couplers formed at their respective one ends, including the following steps: selecting a hand held holder including a pair of elongated open ended tubular housings carried by a rigid flame and sized and configured for telescopical receipt of the respective said optical robes of said endoscopes from one end thereof to view out the respective opposite ends thereof, said housings converging towards one another at a predetermined angle from said one ends toward the said respective opposite ends and unobstructed at said opposite ends for close viewing of tissues within said cavity; sliding said endoscopes into the respective said housings from the respective said one ends to leave the respective said camera couplers accessible; affixing the respective said endoscopes in fixed relation in the respective said housings; selecting a pair of cameras and coupling them to the respective said camera couplers; selecting a camera fixture for mounting the respective cameras from the opposite sides thereof and having an articulating connector to provide for articulation of said cameras relative to one another; adjusting said articulating connector to adjust the relative position of said cameras and holding said cameras in their adjusted position; making an incision for access to said body cavity for insertion of said holder and endoscopes; selecting a multiplexing device; coupling said multiplexing device to the respective said endoscopes; selecting a monitor; coupling said monitor to said multiplexing device for displaying of images from said multiplexing device; selecting three dimensional viewing glasses for viewing the images on said monitor; and grasping said holder and fixture and inserting the distal extremities of said endoscopes in said holder through said incision to view said tissue through said three dimensional glasses whereby said conventional elongated monoscopic endoscopes may be utilized for stereoscopic viewing of said cavity.

Claim 20

A method of stereoscopically observing a tissue in a patient's body cavity involving utilization of a pair of conventional elongated monoscopic endoscopes including elongated optical tubes of a predetermined size and configuration and having respective axial optical axes leading from camera couplers formed at their respective one ends, including the following steps: selecting a hand held holder including a pair of elongated open ended tubular housings carried by a rigid flame and sized and configured for telescopical receipt of the respective said optical robes of said endoscopes from one end thereof to view out the respective opposite ends thereof, said housings converging towards one another at a predetermined angle from said one ends toward the said respective opposite ends and unobstructed at said opposite ends for close viewing of tissues within said cavity; sliding said endoscopes into the respective said housings from the respective said one ends to leave the respective said camera couplers accessible; affixing the respective said endoscopes in fixed relation in the respective said housings; selecting a pair of cameras and coupling them to the respective said camera couplers; selecting a camera fixture for mounting the respective cameras from the opposite sides thereof and having an articulating connector to provide for articulation of said cameras relative to one another; adjusting said articulating connector to adjust the relative position of said cameras and holding said cameras in their adjusted position; making an incision for access to said body cavity for insertion of said holder and endoscopes; selecting a multiplexing device; coupling said multiplexing device to the respective said endoscopes; selecting a monitor; coupling said monitor to said multiplexing device for displaying of images from said multiplexing device; selecting three dimensional viewing glasses for viewing the images on said monitor; and grasping said holder and fixture and inserting the distal extremities of said endoscopes in said holder through said incision to view said tissue through said three dimensional glasses whereby said conventional elongated monoscopic endoscopes may be utilized for stereoscopic viewing of said cavity.