Imaging system having a quick connect coupling interface

Abstract

An imaging system can include a base unit and one or more imaging units. The base unit can include a main interface that has a plurality of main electrical connectors and one or more main mechanical connectors. A mechanical system is located in the base unit. Each imaging unit can include an elongate support member having a proximal end, a proximal section, a bendable section, and a distal end. Also, an imaging interface that couples with the main interface can be included on the proximal end of the elongate support member. The imaging interface includes a plurality of imaging electrical connectors that correspond and connect with the main electrical connectors of the main interface and includes one or more imaging mechanical connectors that correspond and connect with main mechanical connectors of the main interface. Mechanical actuators can bend the bendable section under control from the base unit.

1 . A method of coupling a disposable imaging unit with a reusable base unit, the method comprising:
 providing a reusable base unit that includes a main interface that has a plurality of main electrical connectors operably coupled with a system control module and one or more main mechanical connectors;   providing a disposable imaging unit that includes an imaging interface configured to couple with the main interface of the reusable base unit, the imaging interface has a plurality of imaging electrical connectors that correspond and connect with the main electrical connectors of the main interface and includes one or more imaging mechanical connectors that correspond and connect with main mechanical connectors of the main interface, wherein one of the main mechanical connectors of the base unit or the imaging mechanical connectors is a female force transfer member having a recess and the other is a male force transfer member with a shaft that slidably fits into the recess of the female force transfer member, wherein one of the female force transfer member or male force transfer member is electromagnetic, and   coupling the main interface with the imaging interface.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising connecting the main electrical connectors to the imaging electrical connectors. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising connecting the main mechanical connectors to the imaging mechanical connectors. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the base unit comprises:
 a housing;   a system control module located in the housing;   the main interface on the housing;   a mechanical system located in the housing and mechanically coupled with the one or more main mechanical connectors; and   a mechanical activating member mechanically coupled with the mechanical system,   and wherein the imaging unit comprises:   an elongate support member having a proximal end, a proximal section, a bendable section, and a distal end;   the imaging interface on the proximal end of the elongate support member;   one or more mechanical actuators each having a proximal end mechanically coupled with the one or more imaging mechanical connectors and extending from the imaging interface along the elongate support member to a distal region of the bendable section which is coupled to a distal end of the mechanical actuator; and   a plurality of electrically conductive elements electronically coupled with the imaging electrical connectors and disposed within the elongate support member and extending from the imaging interface to an imaging module located in the distal end of the elongate support member.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the main mechanical connectors and imaging mechanical connectors function as force transfer connectors when coupled that are configured to transfer mechanical forces from the mechanical system of the base unit to the one or more mechanical actuators in order to bend the bendable section of the elongate support member upon electronic activation. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the housing includes a power source that is operably coupled with one or more of the plurality of main electrical connectors, which are configured to transfer electrical power from the base unit to the imaging unit. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the female force transfer member is electromagnetic. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the male force transfer member is ferromagnetic. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one of the main engagement members or imaging engagement members include an extension with a recess and the other has a protrusion received into the recess of the extension when the base unit is coupled with the imaging unit. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bendable section of the elongate support member includes a shape memory member extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the bendable section. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the shape memory member includes a shape memory alloy that is straight when in its relaxed state. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical system includes a spindle gear coupled with a force cable at one end with the other end of the force cable being coupled with the one of the main mechanical connectors, and wherein activating the spindle gear winds the force cable therearound so as to apply a bias to the main mechanical connector. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the mechanical system includes a drive gear engaged with the spindle gear and a mechanical activating member is coupled with the drive gear such that activation of the mechanical activating member actuates the drive gear. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the mechanical system includes a bias system coupled with the drive gear such that the bias system applies a bias to the drive gear. 
     
     
         15 . A method of imaging an object, the method comprising:
 performing the coupling method of  claim 1 ; and   directing a camera on a distal end of the imaging unit at an object; and   imaging the object with the camera.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising:
 emitting a light from the distal end of the imaging unit; and   directing the light onto the object being imaged.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising:
 inserting the distal end of the imaging unit into a living subject; and   imaging an object inside of the living subject.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  comprising:
 inserting the distal end of the imaging unit into a mechanical system; and 
 imaging an object inside of the mechanical system. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the distal end of the imaging unit is configured to articulate, the method comprising:
 articulating the distal end of the imaging unit in order to aim the camera at the object.   
     
     
         20 . A method of disconnecting the disposable imaging unit from the reusable base unit, the method comprising:
 removing power from the electromagnetic force transfer member; and   disconnecting the main interface of the reusable base unit from the imaging interface of the disposable imaging unit.