A beam-splitter-type 3-D endoscope for front view and front-diagonal view images

Area of Science:

• Medical Engineering
• Surgical Technology
• Optical Imaging

Background:

• Endoscopic surgery requires surgeons to estimate instrument depth from 2-D images, risking tissue damage.
• Current 3-D endoscopes may have limitations in field-of-view and depth perception.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel Ø7 mm 3-D endoscope capable of switching between front and front-diagonal views.
• To reduce the risk of damaging delicate body tissues during endoscopic procedures.

Main Methods:

• The 3-D endoscope incorporates a beam splitter and polarization plates within rotating sleeves.
• Key optical parameters including signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), sharpness, chromatic aberration (CA), and viewing angle were measured.
• Feasibility was evaluated through in vivo experiments.

Main Results:

• The developed 3-D endoscope achieved a viewing angle of approximately 50° for both front and front-diagonal views.
• Compared to conventional 3-D endoscopes, SNR decreased by 20% and sharpness by 7%, with no significant difference in CA.
• Clear 3-D images from both views were successfully obtained in vivo by rotating the inner sleeve.

Conclusions:

• The developed 3-D endoscope effectively provides switchable front and front-diagonal views.
• This capability significantly decreases the risk of iatrogenic damage to fragile body tissues during surgery.