Stereo Optics

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Endoscopes are cameras that allow surgeons to perform minimally-invasive procedures, such as detecting cancerous growths without cutting the patient open. Current endoscopes project a 2D image of the patient onto a screen in the operating room, eliminating the surgeon\'s depth perception. Expensive surgical robots currently use a binocular camera setup to generate a 3D image. We propose a new, simpler device, with two-cameras connected to a visor, to provide the 3D image quality in a less costly product.

Endoscopy is a minimally invasive field of surgery; instead of opening up the chest for example, small holes can be made for instruments and cameras. The image from this camera is then routed to a flat screen in the operating room, so the surgeon can see while they operate. New surgical equipment allows for robotic surgery, where the surgeon is actually across the room, operating instruments on a separate console while robotic instruments perform the surgery. This device uses two cameras to image the patient, and eyepieces display the information. This allows for the surgeon to view the patient in 3D, as would be possible if an open-chest surgery were performed.

The embodiment of this device would be a mounting of two licensed endoscopy cameras, connected to a visor that the surgeon would wear. The visor would have separate eye displays, so that information from the left and right cameras could be routed appropriately.