Apparatus and method for stereo viewing in variable direction-of-view endoscopy

Claim 3

The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a control mechanism that rotates said distal end portion about said longitudinal axis.

Claim 4

The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a second control mechanism that rotates said pivotable view vector about said pivot axis.

Claim 5

The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said generally tubular member is generally rigid.

Claim 6

The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said generally tubular member is generally flexible.

Claim 7

The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said distal end portion is rigid.

Claim 8

The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional area, perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, of said distal end portion at the proximal extreme of said transparent viewing area is smaller than the cross-sectional area, perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, of said tubular member near said distal end portion.

Claim 9

The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an illumination system that provides light to a viewed area.

Claim 10

The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said viewing system further comprises a pivotable reflector, wherein said pivotable view vector is adjusted by rotating said pivotable reflector about said pivot axis.

Claim 11

The apparatus according to claim 9 , further comprising a fixed reflector positioned adjacent to and in communication with said pivorable reflector.

Claim 12

The apparatus according to claim 10 , further comprising an optical train in communication with said fixed reflector.

Claim 13

The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein said pivotable reflector and said fixed reflector are each comprised of a prism.

Claim 14

The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an imager for capturing images of a viewed area.

Claim 15

The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said external surface of said transparent viewing area also is generally a complete or partial surface of revolution about said view vector, whereby said transparent viewing area is generally spherical and approximately centered about both said pivotable view vector and said pivot axis.

Claim 16

The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said transparent viewing area is comprised of a transparent layer of rigid material.

Claim 17

The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said view vector may be rotated through an unlimited range about said pivot axis.

Claim 18

The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said distal end portion may be rotated through art unlimited range about said longitudinal axis.

Claim 19

The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said pivot axis is generally perpendicular to both said pivotable view vector and said longitudinal axis.

Claim 20

The apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein said view vector is laterally offset from said longitudinal axis.

Claim 21

A process for using the apparatus described in claim 19 , wherein said apparatus has an initial configuration comprised of an initial distal end orientation and an initial view vector orientation, comprising the steps of: rotating said distal end portion about said longitudinal axis from said initial distal end orientation approximately 180 degrees to a final distal end orientation; and adjusting said view vector to a final view vector orientation symmetric across said symmetry plane from said initial view vector orientation; whereby the viewing direction of said initial configuration is substantially the same as the viewing direction of a final configuration comprising said final distal end orientation and said final view vector orientation.

Claim 22

The process of claim 20 , further comprising the steps of: capturing a first image from said initial configuration; capturing a second image from said final configuration; providing both of said first and second images in a stereo image format.

Claim 25

A process for using an endoscope comprising a generally tubular member having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a longitudinal axis, and a viewing system, wherein said viewing system comprises a pivotable view vector originating horn said distal end portion, said pivotable view vector having a pivot axis that is generally perpendicular to both said pivotable view vector and said longitudinal axis, wherein said view vector can be rotated to either side of a symmetry plane, said symmetry plane being generally parallel to said longitudinal axis near said distal end portion and generally parallel to said pivot axis, and wherein said endoscope has an initial configuration comprised of an initial distal end orientation and an initial view vector orientation, comprising the steps of: rotating said distal end portion about said longitudinal axis from said initial distal end orientation approximately 180 degrees to a final distal end orientation; and adjusting said view vector to a final view vector orientation symmetric across said symmetry plane from said initial view vector orientation; whereby the viewing direction of said initial configuration is substantially the same as the viewing direction of a final configuration comprising said final distal end orientation and said final view vector orientation.

Claim 26

A process for using an endoscope comprising a generally tubular member having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a longitudinal axis, and a viewing system, wherein said viewing system comprises a pivotable view vector originating horn said distal end portion, said pivotable view vector having a pivot axis that is generally perpendicular to both said pivotable view vector and said longitudinal axis, wherein said view vector can be rotated to either side of a symmetry plane, said symmetry plane being generally parallel to said longitudinal axis near said distal end portion and generally parallel to said pivot axis, and wherein said endoscope has an initial configuration comprised of an initial distal end orientation and an initial view vector orientation, comprising the steps of: rotating said distal end portion about said longitudinal axis from said initial distal end orientation approximately 180 degrees to a final distal end orientation; and adjusting said view vector to a final view vector orientation symmetric across said symmetry plane from said initial view vector orientation; whereby the viewing direction of said initial configuration is substantially the same as the viewing direction of a final configuration comprising said final distal end orientation and said final view vector orientation.

Claim 27

The process of claim 23 , wherein said view vector is laterally offset from said longitudinal axis, further comprising; capturing a first image from said initial configuration; capturing a second image from said final configuration; providing both of said first and second images in a stereo image format.