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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001]The present invention relates generally to a camera handle for an
endoscopic imaging device, and more particularly to an ergonomic camera
handle for an imaging device.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Minimally invasive procedures or surgeries (MIP or MIS), including
endoscopic, laparoscopic, endoscopically-assisted, or laparoscopically-
assisted procedures, are known and offer benefits to a patient such
limited incisional trauma, decreased pain, limited scars, decreased
hospitalization, and earlier return to a normal functional state. To perform
such procedures endoscopic imaging devices are employed. A typical
endoscopic imaging system includes a monitor, a light source, a power
source, a video processing unit, and an endoscope. Conventionally, the
medical practitioners hold the endoscope and camera in their hands
during the surgery. A typical endoscopic procedure may take any where
between V2-6 hours. The medical practitioners needs to hold the
endoscope for the complete surgery resulting is strain and fatigue and in
some cases injuries to the hand.
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[0003]Several grips, designs, shapes of the endoscope handle has been
evaluated to reduce the strain. One of such design includes providing a
handle with pistol grip. However, such designs are restricted to certain
specific procedures and hence different handles are required for different
procedures.
[0004]In the light of the above discussion, Applicant's have recognized the
desirability of an ergonomic and universal endoscope handle for surgical
application that overcomes one or more of the limitations of the devices
mentioned above, while keeping one or more of their advantages.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0005]It is therefore an object of the invention to propose an ergonomic camera
handle for an imaging device, which can be adapted for multipurpose
medical applications.
[0006]Another object of the invention is to propose an ergonomic camera handle
for an imaging device, which can provide several types of grip to the
medical practioners on the camera handle during its operation.
[0007]Yet another object of the invention is to propose an ergonomic camera
handle for an imaging device, which provides to the medical practioner
during the operation an indication of the orientation of the endscope.
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[0008]A further object of the invention is to propose an ergonomic camera
handle for an imaging device, which prevents forward or backward
slippage of the medical practioner's hand from the camera handle during
its operation.
[0009]A still further object of the invention is to propose an ergonomic camera
handle for an imaging device, which is light-weighted, easy to operate and
compact.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010]Accordingly there is provided an ergonomic camera handle for an
endoscopic imaging device, comprising; a head having an optical socket disposed
on a front plane of the head; the optical socket via an optical coupler connecting
an endoscope, reflected light from the endoscope falling on a camera module
housed on the head; a body accommodating a white balance circuit including a
ball-scoket means to provide a connection for a cable connector which transmits
signals from the camera module to a base unit; and a neck constituting a
constricted region between the head and the body being disposed distal to the
head. The length of the head, the width of the head at the front surface, and
width at the junction of the neck and head being configured with a relationship
of 1:1.3:1, a bottom width, top width, and lateral width of the neck having a
relationship of 1:1.5:1, and the length, and maximum diameter of the body
configured at a ratio-relationship of 1.7:1.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0011]FIG. 1 illustrates an ergonomic handle for hand assisted endoscopic
imaging, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2a illustrates a power grip on the handle, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0013]FIG. 2b illustrates a pen like grip on the handle, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0014]FIG. 2c illustrates a pen like grip on the handle wherein the endoscope is
inclined, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015]FIG. 3 illustrates the assembly of the handle of the endoscope, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016]FIG. 4a illustrates the ergonomic handle, in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0017]FIG. 4b illustrates the ergonomic handle, in accordance with yet another
embodiment of the present invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Although the present invention will be described in conjunction with some
embodiments as depicted in the figures, a person skilled in the art will easily
recognize that numerous additional embodiments will be well within the scope of
the present invention, wherein the scope is defined by the claims provided.
Hence, the detailed description that follows is intended merely to illustrate the
present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope and spirit of the claimed
invention in any way. In this regard, certain definitions for the terms used in the
claims are appropriate to ensure that the reader will not think to limit the scope
of these terms to the specified preferred embodiments described in this detailed
description. These definitions are given by way of example only, without
limitation.
[0019]The terms "ergonomic, 'ergonomic design', 'economically', and
'economically designed' herein refers to the human driven properties of a
machine interface in a man-machine system.
[0020]The terms 'conform' and 'conformance' herein are used to indicate the
property of one or more surfaces or bodies by virtue of which the surfaces or the
bodies have mutually compliant shapes and sizes.
[0021]The term "endoscopic imaging application" herein refers to the broad
reaching applications in the field of medical and surgical applications, computer
inspection, customs inspection, plumbing, mining, automobile mechanics,
veterinary medicine, aviation, remote control devices, safety equipment,
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monitoring devices, police investigations and in a variety of other settings in
which detailed inspection is desired. Further, the medical use includes
therapeutic and diagnostic medicine, inspection of body canals and openings,
surgical applications such as MIS, MAP, NOTES and the like, dental applications,
phototherapy, and others.
[0022]Once the scope of some of the critical terms has been defined, to get a
more complete understanding of the present invention, a detailed description of
the various embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the
illustrations, is provided below.
[0023]Referring now to FIG. 1, a camera handle 100 for an endoscope is
illustrated. The camera handle 100 comprises a head 102, a neck 104, a body
106, an optical socket 108, a camera window 110, a switch interface 112 and a
marking 114. As shown in the figure the optical socket 108 is located on the
front plane of the head 102. The optical socket 108 is provided with a lens
coupler (not shown in fig. 1), the lens coupler couples the endoscope to the
camera handle 100. The camera window 110 is located distal to the front plane
of the head 102 concentric to the optical socket 108. The camera window 110 is
provided for allowing the reflected light coming through the endoscope, to fall on
a camera module 340 housed in the head 102. In an embodiment of the present
invention, the switch interface 112 is provided on the head 102 to indicate the
power status and activate/deactivate a white balancing circuit 350 of the camera
module 340. A marking 114 is also provided on the head 102 to indicate the top
surface of the camera handle 100. Distal to the head 102 is the neck 104. The
neck 104 is a constricted region between the head 102 and body 106. The neck
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104 conforms to a first portion of a medical practitioner's hand. In various
embodiments of the present invention, the medical practitioner may grip the
camera handle 100 in different manner. Therefore, the first portion of the hand
can be the tip of thumb, the tip of the index finger, the lateral side of the thumb
the lateral side of the index finger, the tip of the middle finger, the tip of ring
finger, the edge of the palm, and a combination thereof. Similarly, the body 106
conforms to a second portion of the medical practitioner's hand. The body 106 is
located distal to the neck 104. In various embodiments of the present invention,
the second portion of the medical practitioner's hand can be the palm, the web
between the thumb and the index finger, the web between the index and middle
finger, or a combination thereof. Some of the various grips commonly used by
the medical practitioners have been illustrated in FIGs. 2a-2c. In an embodiment
of the present invention, the body 106 houses an image processing circuit, a
white balance circuit, etc.. Further, the body 106 also includes a ball and socket
arrangement at the distal-most end for a cable connector. The cable connector
transmits the camera signals from the camera module to a base unit, and
provides power for the functioning of the camera module, image processing
circuit, and the white balance circuit.
[0024]In an embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the
head 102 is shaped like a tapered cuboid, tapering from the front surface toward
the neck 104. The tapered portion of the head 102 prevents the slipping of the
first portion of the hand towards the proximal portion of the head 102. In an
embodiment of the present invention, the head 102 has a substantially square
cross section. The head 102 is 30- 35 mm in length, 40-45 mm in width at the
front surface, and 30-35 mm in width at the junction of the neck 104 and head
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102. The head 102 may also include a tapered section at the front surface
converging to a circular section at the optical socket 108.
[0025]The neck 104 starts from the distal portion of the head 102 and ends at
the proximal portion of the body 106. The neck 104 transitions from a square
cross section at the head 102 to a substantially elliptical cross section at the
junction of the neck 104 and body 106. The neck 104 achieves a minimum cross
section at section 116. In an embodiment of the present invention, at the section
116 the neck 104 has a width of 20-25 mm at the bottom, a width of 30-35 mm
at the top, and lateral width of 30-35 mm. The neck 104 is dimensioned to
conform to a first portion of the hand. The various grips and corresponding
portions of the hand resting on the neck 104 and body 106 has been illustrated
in FIG. 2a-2c.
[0026]The body 106 is the distal most portion of the camera handle 100. The
body 106 is shaped like an ellipsoid. In an embodiment of the present invention,
the length of the body 106 is between 60 and 100 mm. The maximum diameter
of the body 106 can be between 35mm and 60 mm.
In addition, the body 106 is oriented at an angle to the axis 118 of the camera
handle 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, the angle is between 0
and 30 degree. The angled orientation of the body 106 helps in providing the
medical practitioner a sense of the orientation of the camera handle 100. Hence,
a medical practitioner may correct the orientation of the camera handle 100
without actually looking at it. Further, the body 106 also prevents slipping of the
hand away in a backward direction. In various embodiments of the present
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invention, gripping surface such as gripping surface 120 may be provided to
enhance the grip on the body 106. Further, in an embodiment of the present
invention, the gripping surface 120 can be located at the bottom surface of the
body 106 as shown in FIG. 1. In another embodiment of the present invention,
the gripping surface may be located on the top surface, lateral surface of the
body 106.
[0027]The dimensions as mentioned in the various embodiments of the present
invention above are just for illustration and must not be considered to be
limiting. Most of the dimensions provided above has been chosen to realize an
ergonomic camera handle particularly for the hands of Asian populations.
However, as obvious to a person skilled in the art, the dimensions can ba
modified to suit the hands of people with different origin based on their
corresponding anthropometric data. However, knowing the various grips that a
medical practitioner uses is also important. The following description in
conjunction with FIG. 2a -2c, illustrates some of the grips that the medical
practitioners often employ to carry out surgical or diagnostic procedures.
[0028]FIG. 2a illustrates a power grip on the camera handle 100, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. The hand 200 is shown holding
the camera handle 100. A first portion of the hand 210 conforms to the neck 104
of the camera handle 100. The first portion of the hand 210 includes the tip of
the thumb 2V. and the lateral side of the index finger 214. The second portion of
the hand 220 conforms to the body 106 of the camera handle 100. The second
portion of the hand 220 includes the ring finger 222, middle finger 224, the little
finger 226, and the palm 228.
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[0029]FIG. 2b illustrates a pen like grip on the camera handle 100, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. The hand 200 is shown holding
the camera handle 100. A first portion of the hand 210 conforms to the neck 104
of the camera handle 100. The first portion of the hand 210 includes the tip of
the thumb 212, the tip of the index finger 214, and the tip of the middle finger
216. The second portion of the hand 220 conforms to the body 106 of the
camera handle 100. The second portion of the hand 220 includes the ring finger
222, the little finger 224, and the palm 226.
[0030]FIG. 2c illustrates a pen like grip on the handle wherein the endoscope is
inclined, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The hand
200 is shown holding the camera handle 100. A first portion of the hand 210
conforms to the neck 104 of the camera handle 100. The first portion of the
hand 210 includes the tip of the thumb 212, the tip of the index finger 214 and
the lateral side of the middle finger 216. The second portion of the hand 220
conforms to the body 106 of the camera handle 100. The second portion of the
hand 220 includes the web 222 between the thumb 224 and the index finger
226.
[0031]Referring now to FIG. 3, the assembly of the camera handle 100 is
illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The
camera handle 100 includes a top cover 310, a bottom cover 320, a front cover
330, a camera module 340, a white balance circuit 350, a ball socket
arrangement 360, a switch interface 370, and assembly features 380A, 380B.
The top cover 310, the bottom cover 320, and the front cover 330 forms an
enclosed space for housing the camera module 340 and the white balance circuit
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350. The top cover 310 includes a slot 312 and some of the assembly features
(not shown). The slot 312 is used to affix the switch interface 370 to the too
cover 310. As shown in Figure 3, the slot 312 also includes circular holes so that
the switch interface 370 is in contact with the white balance circuit 350. The
assembly features (not shown) in the top cover 310 also provide support for the
white balance circuit 350 to be placed in an inclined fashion with respect to the
top cover 310. Similarly, the bottom cover 320 provides a first assembly features
380A for coupling the top cover 310 to the bottom cover 320. The first assembly
features 380A in the bottom plate 320 provide support to the white balance
circuit 350. A second assembly features 380B are provided in the bottom cover
320 to accommodate the ball socket arrangement 360. The ball and socket
arrangement 360 is provided to support the end of the cable connector coupled
to the white board circuit 350 and the camera module 340. In an embodiment of
the present invention, the ball and socket arrangement 360 includes a silicon ball
362 housed in a polypropylene socket 364. The ball and socket arrangement
provides flexibility to the connector and increases the maneuverability of the
camera handle 100 integrated with the camera handle. Hence reducing th2
damage to the cable connector. In addition, the ball and socket arrangement 360
is particularly useful for medical applications wherein the instrument has to
cleaned and sterilized, as the ball and socket arrangement 360 ensures proper
sealing of the camera handle 100 at the entry point of the cable connector.
[0032]Moving on to the white balance circuit 350 that is positioned between the
top cover 310 and the bottom cover 320. The white balance circuit 350 provides
the user with capability to compensate for the differences in color temperature of
the light from the light source and the surrounding light and further lock a
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desired color setting. The white balance circuit 350 includes a micro-switch 352
and LEDs 354. The white balance circuit 350 is coupled to the camera module
340 where the parameters corresponding to the desired color setting are stored.
When the micro-switch 352 is pressed the color compensation is activated,
consequently when the desired color setting are achieved the micro-switch 352 is
pressed again, and the desired color settings are locked. In an embodiment of
the present invention, one of the LEDs 354 turns green indicating a white
balance lock. The other LED 354 is to indicate the power supply to the camera
handle 100. The LED 354 are coupled to the socket 312 in the top cover 310.
[0033]The front cover 330 is provided to protect and house the camera module
340. Also, the front cover 330 includes provision for coupling the front cover 333
with the optical coupler. Further, appropriate sealing is provided between the
camera window 110 in the front cover 330 and the camera module 340. The
camera module 340 includes a camera chip 342 and an image processing circuit
344. In an embodiment of the present invention, the camera chip 342 is a 1/3-
inch CCD chip which senses the light coming from the endoscope, and converts
the light to an electric signal that is sent to the image processing circuit 344. In
various other embodiment of the present invention, the camera chip 342 can be
a CMOS chip, a 1/2 inch CCD chip, a 1/4 inch CCD chip, a 2/3 inch CCD chip, 3CCD
sensor, and the like. Further, the camera chip may be sensitive to different kind
of light spectrum, such as infrared, ultraviolet, visible light, fluorescence
spectrum, or a combination thereof. The image processing circuit 344 receives
the electric signal from the camera chip and processes the signal. In an
embodiment of the present invention, the processing of the signal includes
amplification of the signal, filtering out of noise from the signal, analog to digital
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conversion, frequency filtering, image corrections, phase modulation, signal
amplitude and frequency modulation, and the like. In addition, in an embodiment
of the present invention, the image processing circuit 344 can be a
programmable chip, wherein the various parameters relating to signal processing
and camera chip can be adjusted.
[0034]The above description describes a three-piece assembly of the camera
handle 100, however various other modification and variations may be obvious to
those skilled in the art. For example, the assembly can be a two-piece assembly
wherein the front cover is affixed to the top cover 310 or the bottom cover 320
and the front cover 330 forms a single piece, or the bottom cover 320 and the
top cover 310 are integrated. Further, various other designs of the camera
handle 100 are possible within the scope of the present invention as illustrated in
FIG. 4 and 5.
[0035]Referring now to FIG. 4, a camera handle 400 is illustrated. The camera
handle 400 has a head 402, a neck 404 and a body 406. The body 406 is at an
angle to the axis 418 of the camera handle (400). The first portion of the hand
conforms to the neck 404 and the second portion of the hand conforms to the
body 406.
[0036]Referring now to FIG. 5, a camera handle 500 is illustrated. The camera
handle 500 has a head 502, a neck 504 and a body 506. The body 506 is hinged
to the neck 504 at the a 508. Hence, the body 506 can be oriented at any
desired angle with respect to the axis 518, by rotating the body about the line
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510 (not shown). The first portion of the hand conforms to the neck 504 and the
second portion of the hand conforms to the body 506.
[0037] In the light of the above description, the camera handle 100 achieves an
ergonomic design that is suitable for various kinds of grips as desired by the
medical practitioners. Further, the various sections of the camera handle restrict
the slipping of the hand during use, hence realizing a positive grip. In addition,
the camera handle gives the user a sense of the orientation, thereby enabling
the user to achieve a correct orientation without looking at the camera handle.
Another important aspect of the camera handle is the contouring at the various
sections and at the junction of the sections. The camera handle includes smooth
transitions from one cross section to another. The smooth transitions allow easy
gripping of the camera handle, and prevent stress and fatigue generated
because of sharp edges.
[0038]While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several
embodiments, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or limit the scope
of the appended claims to such detail. Numerous other variations, changes, and
substitutions will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the
scope of the invention.
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WE CLAIM
1. An ergonomic camera handle for an endoscopic imaging device,
comprising:
- a head (102) having an optical socket (108) disposed on a
front plane of the head (102); the optical socket (108) via
an optical coupler connecting an endoscope, reflected light
from the endoscope falling on a camera module (340)
housed on the head (102);
- a body (106) accommodating a white balance circuit (350)
including a ball-socket means (362, 364) to provide a
connection for a cable connector which transmits signals
from the camera module (340) to a base unit; and
- a neck (104) constituting a constricted region between the
head (102) and the body being (106) disposed distal to the
head (102), characterized in that:
- the length of the head, the width of the head at the front
surface, and width at the junction of the neck (104) and
head (102) being configured with a relationship of 1:1.3:1,
- a bottom width, top width, and lateral width of the neck
(104) having a relationship of 1:1.5:1, and
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- the length, and maximum diameter of the body configured
at a ratio-relationship of 1.7:1.
2. An ergonomic camera handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
white balance circuit (350) is coupled to the camera module (310),
and comprises a micro-switch (352) and a plurality of LEDs (354) to
allow achieving a desired color setting including locking of the
desired color setting.
3. An ergonomic camera handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
camera module (340) comprises a camera chip (342) and an image
processing circuit (344).
4. The camera-handle as claimed in claim 1, comprising a switch
interface (370) for triggering the white balance circuit (350) and
acting as an indicator for power.
5. The camera handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the head (102)
accommodating a camera window (110).
6. The camera handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the neck (104)
conforms to a first portion (210) of a medical practitioner's hand
(200).
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7. The camera handle as claimed in claim l, wherein the body (106)
conforms to a second portion (220) of the medical practitioner's
hand (200).
8. The camera handle as claimed in claim 1 or 5, wherein the head
(102) comprises a tapered section at a slot (108) to prevent
forward-slipping of the first portion (210) of the hand (200).
9. The camera handle as claimed in claim 1 or 6, wherein the neck
(104) attains a minimum cross-section at a point (116).
10.The camera handle as claimed in claim 1 or 7, wherein the body
(106) comprises a gripper to prevent backward-slipping of the hand
(200).
11.The camera-handle as claimed in claim 1, comprising a marking
(114) to indicate the direction of holding the camera-handle.
12.An ergonomic camera handle for an endoscopic imaging device as
herein described and illustrated with reference to the
accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to an ergonomic camera handle for an endoscopic imaging
device, comprising; a head (102) having an optical socket (108) disposed on a
front plane of the head (102); the optical socket (108) via an optical coupler
connecting an endoscope, reflected light from the endoscope falling on a camera
module (340) housed on the head (102); a body (106) accommodating a white
balance circuit (350) including a ball-socket means (362, 364) to provide a
connection for a cable connector which transmits signals from the camera
module (340) to a base unit; and a neck (104) constituting a constricted region
between the head (102) and the body being (106) disposed distal to the head
(102). The length of the head, the width of the head at the front surface, and
width at the junction of the neck (104) and head (102) being configured with a
relationship of 1:1.3:1, a bottom width, top width, and lateral width of the neck
(104) having a relationship of 1:1.5:1, and the length, and maximum diameter of
the body configured at a ratio-relationship of 1.7:1.