US-12621547-B2 - Visualization device and related systems and methods

US12621547B2US 12621547 B2US12621547 B2US 12621547B2US-12621547-B2

Abstract

According to one aspect, a visualization device may include an image sensor, a lens for focusing light onto the image sensor, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a lateral wall surface extending between the first end and the second end, and a coating on the lateral wall surface. The coating may include at least one of an electrically-insulating layer and a light-blocking layer, and may be deposited on the lateral wall surface using, for example, physical vapor deposition (PVD).

Inventors

Lance Adam FREESEMAN
Danielle Frankson
Benn Horrisberger
Kenneth GUNTER
Mark D. Wood
Paul D. AQUILINO
James P. Rohl
James A Klos

Assignees

BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20230515

Claims (18)

1 . A method of coating a visualization device, comprising: providing a masking material to a first end of the visualization device; providing the masking material to a second end of the visualization device; depositing a coating on the visualization device, wherein the coating includes at least one of an electrically-insulating layer and a light-blocking layer, wherein the coating is deposited on the visualization device using physical vapor deposition (PVD) that comprises sputtering titanium within a PVD chamber; securing the visualization device to a holding device by inserting the first end of the visualization device into a recess of the holding device in a first configuration or inserting the second end of the visualization device into the recess of the holding device in a second configuration before providing a masking material to the first or second ends of the visualization device or before depositing the coating on the visualization device; and removing the masking material, and portions of the coating on the masking material, from the first and second ends, while leaving the coating on a lateral wall surface of the visualization device that extends between the first and second ends.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the masking material includes ink, and removing the ink includes applying isopropyl alcohol to the ink to dissolve the ink, thereby removing the portions of the coating on top of the ink.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the coating includes both the electrically-insulating layer and the light-blocking layer.
4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the ink is applied using a spray-coating system, a marker, or a brush.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the coating is approximately 500 angstroms to approximately 10,000 angstroms.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the visualization device further comprises an image sensor, a first layer of transparent material at the first end, and a second layer of the transparent material proximate the second end, wherein lateral wall surfaces of the image sensor, the first layer, and the second layer form portions of the lateral wall surface of the visualization device.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein an outer width of the visualization device is constant from the first end to the second end.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the coating contacts an entirety of the lateral wall surface of the visualization device.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein removing portions of the coating on the masking material from the first and second ends includes applying laser energy to the coating on the masking material.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein titanium dioxide is deposited on the lateral wall surface of the visualization device to form the electrically-insulating layer when a mixture of argon gas and oxygen gas is introduced into the PVD chamber, and pure titanium is deposited on the electrically-insulating layer to form the light-blocking layer when the mixture of argon gas and oxygen gas is replaced with pure argon gas.
11 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising moving the visualization device between the first configuration and the second configuration after providing the masking material to the first or second ends of the visualization device or after depositing the coating on the visualization device.
12 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising: moving the holding device with the visualization device in the first configuration into the PVD chamber; removing the holding device from the PVD chamber after depositing the coating on the visualization device; moving the visualization device from the first configuration to the second configuration; and moving the holding device with the visualization device in the second configuration into the PVD chamber.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein dimensions of the recess of the holding device and dimensions of the visualization device are complementary.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the holding device includes one or more ledges at end portions of the holding device to facilitate mounting of the holding device on a conveying device configured to move the holding device through the PVD chamber.
15 . A method of coating a visualization device, comprising: securing a plurality of visualization devices to a holding assembly, the holding assembly comprising a post having a first end, a second end, and a central longitudinal axis, a first member coupled to the post and engaging first ends of the plurality of visualization devices, the holding assembly further comprising a plurality of pins movable towards the first member to engage second ends of the plurality of visualization devices, leaving lateral wall surfaces extending between the first and second ends of the plurality of visualization devices exposed; and depositing a coating on the lateral wall surfaces of the plurality of visualization devices, wherein the coating includes an electrically-insulating layer and a light-blocking layer.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the post is rotatable about the central longitudinal axis to rotate the first member, the plurality of pins, and the plurality of visualization devices about the central longitudinal axis.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the holding assembly further comprises a second member including a plurality of through holes, wherein the plurality of pins are slidable through the through holes.
18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the first member includes a plurality of arms extending radially outward from the central longitudinal axis of the post, and radially outer portions of the plurality of arms include raised regions for positioning the plurality of visualization devices.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/853,010, filed on Apr. 20, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/348,515, filed on Nov. 10, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,666,841, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/253,731, filed on Nov. 11, 2015, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD Various aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to a visualization device and related systems and methods. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a visualization device that has a coating, related systems for facilitating application (via, e.g., deposition) of the coating, and method steps performed to facilitate application of the coating. BACKGROUND Unlike traditional open surgery, minimally invasive surgery may utilize small incisions or natural orifice entry points. This approach may result in a faster recovery, reduced pain, reduced blood loss, and less scarring, among other benefits. In some forms of minimally invasive surgery, a camera may be inserted into a subject via an incision or anatomical opening, and may be guided to a target area. At the target area, the camera may relay images to a user to provide the user with instantaneous feedback as the user performs a procedure on the subject. One type of camera used for such procedures may have multiple components arranged in a layered configuration. Sidewalls of the camera may be coated with a light blocking paint to reduce light saturation through the sidewalls. With conventional cameras, the light blocking paint may not adhere well to the sidewalls, may require multiple layers to sufficiently block light, and/or may be difficult to apply consistently, thereby affecting camera performance and/or increasing the overall dimensions of the camera due to the thickness of the layers of paint. Improving the coating of the sidewalls may address one or more of the aforementioned issues and/or enhance camera performance. SUMMARY Aspects of the present disclosure relate to, among other things, a visualization device and related systems and methods. Each of the aspects disclosed herein may include one or more of the features described in connection with any of the other disclosed aspects. In one aspect of the present disclosure, a visualization device may include an image sensor, a lens for focusing light onto the image sensor, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a lateral wall surface extending between the first end and the second end, and a coating on the lateral wall surface. The coating may include at least one of an electrically-insulating layer and a light-blocking layer, and may be deposited on the lateral wall surface using any method of deposition, including, but not limited to, physical vapor deposition (PVD). Aspects of the visualization device may include one or more of the features below. The coating may include both the electrically-insulating layer and the light-blocking layer. The electrically-insulating layer may be deposited on the lateral wall surface and the light-blocking layer may be deposited on the electrically-insulating layer. The electrically-insulating layer may include titanium dioxide. The light-blocking layer may include pure titanium. The coating may include both the electrically-insulating layer and the pure titanium light-blocking layer, and the electrically-insulating layer may include titanium dioxide. The titanium dioxide layer may be deposited on the lateral wall surface and the pure titanium layer may be deposited on the titanium dioxide layer. The visualization device may further include at least one layer of glass. The at least one layer of glass may include a first layer of glass at the first end, and a second layer of glass at the second end. Lateral wall surfaces of the first and second layers of glass may form portions of the lateral wall surface of the visualization device. The lateral wall surface may be one of a plurality of lateral wall surfaces, and each of the lateral wall surfaces may have the coating thereon. The electrically-insulating layer may prevent electricity from flowing out of and/or into the lateral wall surface. The light-blocking layer may be opaque. In another aspect of the present disclosure, a system for facilitating deposition of a coating on a visualization device may include a post having a first end, a second end, and a central longitudinal axis. The system may also include a first member coupled to the post. The first member may include a through hole. The system may also include a second member coupled to the post. The second member may be closer to the second end of the post than the first member. The system may also include a pin slidably received in the through hole. The pin may be slidable through the through hole and toward the second member to secure, when in use, the visual