Wireless medical imaging system

Abstract

A wireless medical imaging system comprising a head unit is provided. The head unit comprises a head unit case, an integrated light source, an image sensor, a wireless transceiver, a central processing unit, and a user-input component. The head unit case has an external surface defining an external cavity, an internal surface defining an internal cavity, a first aperture, and a second aperture. The integrated light source, the image sensor, the wireless transceiver, and the central processing unit are disposed within the internal cavity. The integrated light source extends from within the internal cavity into the first aperture and is configured to transmit light from the head unit through the first aperture. The image sensor is configured to detect an image trans-nutted into the head unit through the second aperture. The external cavity is configured to receive an external battery. The user-input component is disposed on the external surface.

1 . A wireless medical imaging system comprising a head unit, the head unit comprising:
 (i) a head unit case;   (ii) an integrated light source;   (iii) an image sensor;   (iv) a wireless transceiver;   (v) a central processing unit; and   (vi) a user-input component;   wherein:   the head unit case has an external surface defining an external cavity, an internal surface defining an internal cavity, a first aperture, and a second aperture;   the integrated light source, the image sensor, the wireless transceiver, and the central processing unit are disposed within the internal cavity;   the integrated light source extends from within the internal cavity into the first aperture and is configured to transmit light from the head unit through the first aperture;   the image sensor is configured to detect an image transmitted into the head unit through the second aperture;   the external cavity is configured to receive an external battery; and   the user-input component is disposed on the external surface.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The wireless medical imaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the head unit is configured to provide illumination to an area of interest by connection of an external light cable, the external light cable having a first end and a second end, the external light cable being connected to the head unit at the first end and to an endoscope at the second end, such that the light is transmitted from the integrated light source, through the external light cable and the endoscope, to the area of interest. 
     
     
         4 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The wireless medical imaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the wireless transceiver of the head unit may use the ultra-wideband (UWB) communication modality. 
     
     
         8 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The wireless medical imaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the second aperture comprises a connector configured for connection of an endoscope to the head unit case. 
     
     
         13 . The wireless medical imaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the head unit case has a volume of 300 to 800 cm 3 . 
     
     
         14 . The wireless medical imaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the integrated light source and the image sensor are disposed within 1 to 6 cm from each other. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The wireless medical imaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the head unit further comprises a window, the window being disposed within the second aperture and configured to allow the image to pass therethrough. 
     
     
         17 . The wireless medical imaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the wireless medical imaging system further comprises an external battery that is disposed in the external cavity and that provides power to one or more of the integrated light source, the image sensor, the wireless transceiver, or the central processing unit. 
     
     
         18 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . The wireless medical imaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the wireless medical imaging system further comprises a remote receiver unit, the remote receiver unit comprising:
 a receiver unit case;   a wireless transceiver;   a central processing unit; and   a communications interface;   wherein the receiver unit case has an internal cavity that contains the wireless transceiver of the remote receiver unit, the central processing unit of the remote receiver unit, and the communications interface.   
     
     
         27 . The wireless medical imaging system according to  claim 26 , wherein the wireless transceiver of the remote receiver unit is configured to transmit and receive image sensor data and command and control signals, both to and from the wireless transceiver of the head unit. 
     
     
         28 . The wireless medical imaging system according to  claim 26 , wherein the central processing unit of the remote receiver unit manages one or more of the wireless transceiver of the remote receiver unit or the communications interface and can perform data processing therefor. 
     
     
         29 . The wireless medical imaging system according to  claim 26 , wherein the communications interface is configured to communicate with multiple types of external camera management systems without need for reprogramming or redesign. 
     
     
         30 . The wireless medical imaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the head unit further comprises an internal rechargeable battery, the internal cavity further containing the internal rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         31 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . The wireless medical imaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein the integrated light source comprises:
 an emissive radiation source having a first spectrum;   an optical element located to direct emissions from the emissive radiation source;   a volumetric spectrum converter, the converter being located to convert emissions directed from the emissive radiation source to emissions having a second spectrum different from the first spectrum;   an optical reflector located about the converter; and   an output filter, the reflector being located to reflect the converter emissions towards the output filter;   wherein the internal cavity of the head unit case contains the emissive radiation source, the optical element, the converter, the reflector, and the filter, and   wherein desired light radiates from the internal cavity through the filter.   
     
     
         38 . The wireless medical imaging system according to  claim 37 , wherein the emissive radiation source operates in the range of 400 nm to 480 nm. 
     
     
         39 . The wireless medical imaging system according to  claim 37 , wherein the optical element may either collimate, convergently focus, or divergently focus the emissive radiation source emissions onto the converter. 
     
     
         40 . The wireless medical imaging system according to  claim 37 , wherein the optical reflector redirects omnidirectional light into a desired optical path. 
     
     
         41 . The wireless medical imaging system according to  claim 37 , wherein the converter converts the emissions from the emissive radiation source to emissions of different wavelength, a narrower spectrum, or a broader spectrum, of non-coherent radiation. 
     
     
         42 . The wireless medical imaging system according to  claim 37 , wherein the filter eliminates an emission from the emissive radiation source that has not been converted by the converter as well as optionally further conditioning the emitted light. 
     
     
         43 . The wireless medical imaging system according to  claim 37 , wherein the emissive geometry of the emitted radiation spectrum from the integrated light source may be further conditioned, directed, focused, collimated, reflected, refracted, diffracted, or otherwise modified with the inclusion of suitable optical components.