System and methods for endoscopic imaging

Abstract

A portable endoscopic inspection system comprises an endoscope having a proximal end with a flanged eyepiece for observation and a distal end with a lens assembly for insertion into a region of interest. A light port transports incident light to the region of interest along an lighting pathway, and reflected light is transported along an imaging pathway from the lens assembly to the eyepiece. A wireless imaging unit comprises a light source which detachably couples to the light port for generating the incident light, and an imaging sensor for recording images of the reflected light from the eyepiece. The wireless imaging unit comprises a variable coupling system which mechanically couples the imaging sensor to the flanged eyepiece independent of the shape and/or size of the flange of the eyepiece.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A kit, comprising:
 a unit including a first housing, a cable, and a second housing, wherein the first housing houses a battery and a wireless transmitter, wherein the battery powers the wireless transmitter, wherein the second housing houses a light source, wherein the battery powers the light source via the cable; and   an access point including a wireless receiver, wherein the access point sends an imagery to a display external to the unit and the access point when the wireless receiver receives the imagery from the wireless transmitter based on the first housing attaching to an endoscope and the light source attaching to the endoscope.   
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the first housing houses a user control interface to control the light source or the imagery. 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 2 , wherein the first housing includes a screen presenting a graphical user interface depicting the user control interface, wherein the battery powers the screen. 
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein the screen is a touchscreen. 
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the first housing houses a variable coupling system which attaches to the endoscope. 
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the first housing has a first portion, wherein the second housing has a second portion, wherein the access point sends the imagery to the display external to the unit and the access point when the wireless receiver receives the imagery from the wireless transmitter based on the first housing attaching to the endoscope and the light source attaching to the endoscope such that the first portion is orthogonal or perpendicular to the second portion. 
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the battery is rechargeable. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a case containing the unit and the access point.   
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the first housing houses an imaging sensor powered by the battery, wherein the imaging sensor enables the imagery. 
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the first housing is spherical. 
     
     
         11 . A method, comprising:
 enabling a user to:
 attach an endoscope to a unit, wherein the unit including a battery, a light source, and a display, wherein the battery powers the light source and the display, and 
 illuminate the endoscope via the light source such that an imagery is generated and the display presents the imagery. 
   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the unit has a user control interface to control the light source or the imagery. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the display depicts the user control interface. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the display is a touchscreen. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the unit has a variable coupling system which attaches to the endoscope. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the unit has an imaging sensor powered by the battery, wherein the imaging sensor enables the imagery. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the unit has a portion that is spherical.