Small diameter video camera heads and visualization probes and medical devices containing them

Abstract

In a first aspect the invention is a video camera head comprising an objective lens assembly and a solid state imager (SSI) comprised of a solid state pick up device and integrated circuitry adapted to produce an output video signal. The SSI is configured to allow video signals to be sent from the SSI and power to be supplied to the SSI by means of four or less electrically connecting pads. In a second aspect the invention is a video camera head comprising a 0.7 mm×0.7 mm sensor and an integral 1.4 mm inner diameter light ring. In a third aspect the invention is a visualization probe comprising illumination means and a video camera head of the first aspect. The visualization probe has a maximum outer diameter of 2.8 mm or less. In a fourth aspect the invention is a medical device comprising a visualization probe of the third aspect. The medical device has a maximum outer diameter of 3.2 mm or less.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A video camera head comprising an objective lens assembly and a solid state imager (SSI) comprised of a solid state pick up device and integrated circuitry adapted to produce an output video signal, wherein said SSI is configured to allow video signals to be sent from said SSI and power to be supplied to said SSI by means of four or less electrically connecting pads. 
     
     
         2 . The video camera head of  claim 1 , wherein the objective lens assembly is implemented using wafer level technology. 
     
     
         3 . The video camera head of  claim 1 , wherein the output video signal is carried by an electric current. 
     
     
         4 . The video camera head of  claim 1 , wherein said video camera head has a maximum outer diameter of 1.4 mm or less. 
     
     
         5 . The video camera head of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical connections between the electrically connecting pads and the solid state pick up device are implemented by means of through silicon vias. 
     
     
         6 . The video camera head of  claim 1 , wherein the photosensitive elements of the solid state pick up device are implemented using back side illumination technology. 
     
     
         7 . The video camera head of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the objective lens assembly is 2.5 mm or less. 
     
     
         8 . The video camera head of  claim 1 , comprising an iris created by metalizing one surface of one lens of the objective lens assembly and etching said iris therein. 
     
     
         9 . The video camera head of  claim 6 , comprising pixel cells having dimensions that are in the range of 2.2×2.2 microns to 0.9×0.9 microns. 
     
     
         10 . A video camera head comprising a 0.7 mm×0.7 mm sensor and an integral 1.4 mm inner diameter light ring. 
     
     
         11 . A visualization probe comprising illumination means, an objective lens assembly, and a solid state imager (SSI) comprised of a solid state pick up device and integrated circuitry adapted to produce an output video signal, wherein said SSI is configured to allow video signals to be sent from said SSI and power to be supplied to said SSI by means of four or less electrically connecting pads and said visualization probe has a maximum outer diameter of 4 mm or less. 
     
     
         12 . The visualization probe of  claim 11 , wherein the objective lens assembly is implemented using wafer level technology. 
     
     
         13 . The visualization probe of  claim 11 , wherein the objective lens assembly is implemented using injection molded lenses. 
     
     
         14 . The visualization probe of  claim 11 , wherein the output video signal is carried by an electric current. 
     
     
         15 . The visualization probe of  claim 11 , wherein the electrical connections between the electrically connecting pads and the solid state pick up device and the integrated circuitry are implemented by means of through silicon vias. 
     
     
         16 . The visualization probe of  claim 11 , wherein the photosensitive elements of the solid state pick up device are implemented using back side illumination technology. 
     
     
         17 . The visualization probe of  claim 11  comprising one or more of:
 a) an articulation section; 
 b) a working channel. 
 
     
     
         18 . The visualization probe of  claim 17 , wherein the articulation section is constructed without any hinges and in one piece. 
     
     
         19 . The visualization probe of  claim 18 , wherein the articulation section is constructed from one plate, and in which each link is cut from said plate precisely by electromagnetic or mechanical apparatus to form a plurality of elements projecting outward from a spine and the projecting elements are then bent to form the individual vertebrae. 
     
     
         20 . The visualization probe of  claim 17 , wherein the articulation section is constructed from a plurality of ring-shaped elements attached to an elongated flexible axially located component of said visualization probe/medical device, wherein said axially located component passes through the centers of said ring-shaped elements. 
     
     
         21 . The visualization probe of  claim 16  comprising pixel cells having dimensions that are in the range of 2.2×2.2 microns to 0.9×0.9 microns. 
     
     
         22 . A medical device comprising a visualization probe comprised of illumination means, an objective lens assembly, and a solid state imager (SSI) comprised of a solid state pick up device and integrated circuitry adapted to produce an output video signal, wherein said SSI is configured to allow video signals to be sent from said SSI and power to be supplied to said SSI by means of four or less electrically connecting pads and said medical device has a maximum outer diameter of 4 mm or less. 
     
     
         23 . The medical device of  claim 22 , wherein said medical device is one of the following:
 a) an endoscope;   b) a laparoscope;   c) a guide wire;   d) a flexible, semi-flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid single or multi-lumen tube;   e) scissors;   f) a scalpel;   g) forceps;   h) a spring;   i) a rod;   j) a device used for approximating tissues;   k) a device used for cutting tissues;   l) a device used for sealing tissues;   m) a device for burning objects;   n) a device for coagulating objects;   o) a device for feeding;   p) a device for guiding objects or substances to a location in a body;   q) a device for draining objects or substances from a location in a lumen;   r) a device for delivering objects or substances to a location in a lumen;   s) a device comprising monitoring instruments or sensors;   t) a device comprising diagnosis instruments or sensors;   and   u) a wireless in vivo device.