Optoelectronic module comprising ultrasound transducer and imaging apparatus using the same
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12638423-B1
Publication Date
2026-05-26
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention provides an optoelectronic module and an imaging apparatus such as an endoscope (e.g. an angioscope and a bronchoscope) comprising such module. The optoelectronic module includes a housing, an image sensor, and an ultrasound transducer positioned in its entirety behind the image sensor. The image sensor's face has a perimeter S, the cross section of the optoelectronic module along the face has a perimeter H, and S<H<1.6S. In an example, illumination components such as a flashing LED and the image sensor are confined within the minimum bounding circle of the sensor's face. The invention exhibits technical advantages such as minimized size of the insert portion of the endoscopy, and live visual aid during the insertion of ultrasound probe.
Core Innovation
An optoelectronic module includes a housing with a longitudinal axis, an image sensor secured at a distal end of the housing, and an ultrasound transducer within the housing. The ultrasound transducer is positioned entirely behind the image sensor along the longitudinal axis, so that both components are accommodated within the same module housing geometry.
The module further provides that the ultrasound transducer is rotatable about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis by rotating an external handle linked to the ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound transducer is positioned and arranged to satisfy compact geometry constraints for the sensor face and housing cross-section.
An imaging apparatus architecture is described that uses separate external receiving devices for optical and ultrasound signals, and provides examples of angioscope, bronchoscope, endoscope, and EUS implementations. The document also describes illumination components inside the housing, an ultrasound coupling configuration using gel/fluid with a gel/fluid channel and outlet, an external working channel, and a heat management system with a heat sink.
Claims Coverage
The partial document includes one independent claim (clm-00001). Its main claim coverage focuses on an optoelectronic module architecture that integrates an image sensor and an ultrasound transducer in a shared housing while enabling rotational ultrasound transducer actuation via an external handle about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis.
Shared housing with ultrasound fully behind image sensor along the longitudinal axis
An optoelectronic module comprising a housing with a longitudinal axis, an image sensor secured at a distal end of the housing, and an ultrasound transducer within the housing, wherein the ultrasound transducer is positioned in its entirety behind the image sensor along the longitudinal axis.
Rotatable ultrasound transducer actuated by an external handle about a parallel axis
The optoelectronic module wherein the ultrasound transducer is rotatable about an axis parallel with the longitudinal axis by rotating an external handle linked to the ultrasound transducer.
Across the independent claim, the core coverage is integration of the ultrasound transducer entirely behind the image sensor within a single housing along the longitudinal axis, combined with rotational actuation of the ultrasound transducer via an external handle about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Angioscope/bronchoscope/endoscope/EUS imaging apparatus configurations are described using separate external receiving devices for optical and ultrasound signals.
Imaging apparatus for tubular structures that includes additional receiving devices and is associated with an optoelectronic module integrated with image sensor and ultrasound transducer.
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