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PubMed · 15204617

An artificial compound eye for stereoendoscopy.

R Szema·J Rastegar·L Lee
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Abstract

A scanning endoscope has been designed with the ability to both project three-dimensional images and provide precise measurements of internal structures. This is beneficial for minimally invasive surgery, where surgeons suffer from a lack of depth perception, limited field of view, and the absence of a reference frame for dimensional measurements. Borrowing from the insect compound eye, the design uses an array of prisms, each facing a different direction but with overlapping fields of view. The prisms redirect their respective images normal to a fibre optic imaging plane and are individually controlled by electro-chromic shutters. The device thereby retains the ability to scan in multiple directions without mechanical parts and uses only a single camera. Comparison of the overlapping images with known prism positions allows for the calculation of absolute coordinates. Results from large-scale models show that the technology is plausible, and fabrication methods for a smaller device are discussed.

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Depth PerceptionEndoscopesEquipment DesignOptics and PhotonicsJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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R Szema, J Rastegar, L Lee. An artificial compound eye for stereoendoscopy.. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309190042000193883

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