Endoscope Comprising a System with Multiple Cameras for Use in Minimal-Invasive Surgery

Abstract

The present invention concerns an endoscope for minimally invasive surgery, especially for use within a surgical robotic system, which comprises a main support device ( 4 ), which basically extends over the entire length of the endoscope from the outside to the interior of the body, and which comprises at its distal end at least one illumination unit ( 15, 16 ) and two imaging devices ( 12 a, 13 a, 14 a, 12 b, 13 b, 14 b; 12 c ), wherein each of the imaging devices ( 12 a, 13 a, 14 a, 12 b, 13 b, 14 b; 12 c ) is basically arranged in such a way that it can be rotated to the outside on the same level as the main support device ( 4 ), a trocar ( 1 ), by means of which the endoscope can enter the body, and an additional support device ( 3 ), which is provided at the trocar ( 1 ) and/or the main support device ( 4 ), wherein the additional support device ( 3 ) comprises at its distal end an additional imaging device ( 8, 9, 10, 11 ), which can be rotated from the additional support device ( 3 ) to the outside and wherein the additional imaging device ( 7, 8, 9, 10 ) comprises an additional illumination unit ( 10, 11 ) and at least an additional image sensor ( 8, 9 ), which comprises a monitoring area, which encompasses the two monitoring areas of the imaging devices ( 12 a, 13 a, 14 a, 12 b, 13 b, 14 b; 12 c ) of the main support device ( 4 ).

We claim: 
     
         1 . Multi-camera system, which comprises
 an endoscope or other surgical instrument with a main support device, which basically extends over the entire length of the endoscope,   a trocar, by means of which the endoscope can enter a human body,   and an additional support device, which is provided at the trocar and/or the main support device, wherein the additional support device comprises at its distal end a first imaging device, wherein the first imaging device can be rotated to the outside of the additional support device and wherein the first imaging device comprises a first lighting unit and at least a first image sensor,
 wherein the first image sensor comprises a wide-angle lens and is located near a distal end of the trocar when pivoted to generate a 2D overview image, and 
 wherein the additional support device is located between the trocar and the main support device, resting directly at the main support device, wherein the main support device and the additional support device have a cylindrical design. 
   
     
     
         2 . Multi-camera system according to  claim 1 , where the system comprises an endoscope, and wherein the endoscope comprises at its distal end at least a second lighting unit and two additional imaging devices, wherein each of the two additional imaging devices are basically arranged in such a way that they can be rotated to the outside of the main support device. 
     
     
         3 . Multi-camera system according to  claim 2 , where the endoscope is characterized in that each of the two additional imaging devices can be rotated about a rotation axis at a distal end of the main support device, wherein the rotation axes are aligned in a plane parallel to one another. 
     
     
         4 . Multi-camera system according to  claim 2 , where the endoscope is characterized in that each of the two additional imaging devices is arranged in such a way that they can be tilted by means of joints about the rotation axis, as well as about a further pivot axis, in orthogonal direction toward the longitudinal extension of the support device, wherein the rotary movements about the rotation axes and the rotation axes are decoupled independently of one another. 
     
     
         5 . Multi-camera system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a surgical instrument. 
     
     
         6 . Multi-camera system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first imaging device is comprised of a CCD or CMOS sensor with a resolution of 1920××1080 pixels or higher. 
     
     
         7 . Multi-camera system of  claim 1 , wherein the multi-camera system is part of a surgical robot system.