Multicamera Laparoscopic Imaging With Tunable Focusing Capability

This paper presents a solution to overcome many of the fundamental challenges faced by current laparoscopic imaging systems. Our system is developed upon the key idea that widely spread multiple tunable microcameras can cover a large range of vantage points and field of view (FoV) for intraabdominal visualization. Our design features multiple tunable-focus microcameras integrated with a surgical port to provide panoramic intraabdominal visualization with enhanced depth perception. Our system can be optically tuned to focus on objects within a range of 5 mm to ∞, with a FoV adjustable between 36° and 130°. Our unique approach also eliminates the requirement of an exclusive imaging port and need for navigation of cameras between ports during surgery.