The DistalCAM video camera

A new endoscopic camera that does not require a viewing rod lens endoscope has been developed. It consists of a 10-mm metal tube and handle containing a distally placed camera chip. The distal chip endoscope is attached to a combined camera light source and processor by a well-protected cable. Due to the distally placed chip and the fact that no glass rod lenses are used, a full-screen image of improved quality and constant lighting is achieved. Elimination of rod lenses and all but one interface in the system minimizes image distortion, color degradation and interface-related loss of illumination. A bright light is provided across the entire screen uniformly, without variation in intensity or color regardless of temporal proximity to target tissues. The system does not require white balancing or focusing since the color and focus range are set, and it uses a cool 40-W light to achieve the same intensity of existing 300-W lamps. The camera system was used successfully in 30 operative laparoscopy procedures.