Imaging Medical Instrument Such As An Endoscope, Exoscope Or Microscope

Abstract

An imaging medical instrument such as an endoscope, an exoscope or microscope having a shaft, in which an optical fiber bundle extends from the proximal to the distal end for illuminating field and in which a lens system is arranged for transmitting an image of the field. A light source inputs coupling light into the one proximal end of the optical fiber bundle with a multiplicity of selectively actuatable individual light sources arranged in an array-like manner, with a camera for capturing the transmitted image of the field of view and with a control unit for selectively actuating the individual light sources of the light source for adapting the illumination field. Here, the illumination field has a different form to the field of view. The control unit has an apparatus for analyzing the illumination situation, the apparatus being suitable and provided for analyzing the image captured by the camera in respect of changes depending on the selectively actuated individual light sources and for analyzing the field of view relative to the illumination field.

1 . An imaging medical instrument such as an endoscope, exoscope or microscope, having a shaft, in which an optical fiber bundle extends from a proximal end of the shaft to a distal end of the shaft for illuminating an illumination field in the region of the distal end of the shaft and
 in which a lens system is arranged for transmitting an image of a field of view from the distal end of the shaft to the proximal end of the shaft, having a light source for input coupling light into the one proximal end of the optical fiber bundle with a multiplicity of selectively actuatable individual light sources arranged in an array-like manner, having a cameral for capturing the transmitted image of the field of view, and having a control unit for selectively actuating the individual light sources of the light source for adapting the illumination field, wherein the illumination field has a different form to the field of view and   wherein the control unit has an apparatus for analyzing the illumination situation, said apparatus being suitable and provided for analyzing the image captured by the camera in respect of changes depending on the selectively actuated individual light sources and for analyzing the field of view relative to the illumination field.   
     
     
         2 . The imaging medical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus for analyzing the illumination situation is suitable and provided for determining the common region of the field of view and illumination field and for actuating the light source such that the common region is illuminated more strongly than the region outside of the common region. 
     
     
         3 . The imaging medical instrument according to  claim 2 , wherein the apparatus for analyzing the illumination situation is suitable and provided for ensuring that the region outside of the common region exhibits an illumination gradient such that the illuminance substantially reduces with increasing distance from the edge of the common region. 
     
     
         4 . The imaging medical instrument according to  claim 2 , wherein the apparatus for analyzing the illumination situation is suitable and provided for ensuring that substantial regions of the illumination field outside of the common region are not illuminated. 
     
     
         5 . The imaging medical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is suitable and provided for actuating the individual light sources or groups of individual light sources sequentially as part of the light source for the purposes of analyzing the illumination situation. 
     
     
         6 . The imaging medical instrument according to  claim 2 , wherein the control unit is suitable and provided for ensuring that the individual light sources or groups of individual light sources, which are identified as belonging to the common region of the field of view and illumination field, are selectively provided with an attribute such that these can be differentially actuated and activated depending on the attribute. 
     
     
         7 . The imaging medical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus for analyzing the illumination situation is suitable and provided for capturing color changes and/or brightness changes in the captured images when the illumination is modified. 
     
     
         8 . The imaging medical instrument according to  claim 7 , wherein the apparatus for analyzing the illumination situation is suitable and provided for determining the common region on the basis of a color change and/or brightness change that is greater than a predetermined, in particular adjustable threshold. 
     
     
         9 . The imaging medical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the field of view has a variable embodiment, in particular a variable embodiment in respect of the viewing direction and/or in respect of the viewing angle and/or in respect of the field of view design. 
     
     
         10 . The imaging medical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus for analyzing the illumination situation is suitable and provided for carrying out an analysis of the illumination situation if there is a change in the field of view or in the illumination field. 
     
     
         11 . The imaging medical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus for analyzing the illumination situation is suitable and provided for undertaking an analysis of the situation upon start up of the medical instrument and, in particular, for regularly undertaking an analysis of the illumination situation at time intervals. 
     
     
         12 . The imaging medical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein individual light sources represent LEDs, OLEDs, diode lasers and/or supercontinuum lasers. 
     
     
         13 . The imaging medical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the light source ( 30 ) has a scanning laser light source, the laser beam of which is deflected in scanning fashion by way of a MEMS (micro-electromechanical system—micromirror). 
     
     
         14 . The imaging medical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one radiation-widening optical element is provided distally upstream of the distal end of the light guide bundle. 
     
     
         15 . The imaging medical instrument according to  claim 14 , wherein at least one radiation-widening optical element is arranged distally upstream of the distal front lens of the lens system for image transmission. 
     
     
         16 . The imaging medical instrument according to  claim 3 , wherein the apparatus for analyzing the illumination situation is suitable and provided for ensuring that substantial regions of the illumination field outside of the common region are not illuminated.