Available optics for laparoscopy can be classified according to the different features of the devices
- Dimensions: they can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional
- Degree of rotation
- Rotational axis
- Integrated light internally or external light source
- Resolution, lens display in a 4K or Full HD
Cameras
- Endoeye (Olympus): flexible tip 3D Endoscope. It has integrated NBI software, which provides excellent visualization of the different tissues using light waves of different frequencies. The light wave will bounce on tissues with different thicknesses, creating a different frequency which is translated into a complex visualisation system. The visual field created by the two cameras which form the 3D camera is approximately 80º. The total diameter of the head is 10 mm including the internal light. Endoeye has a focus field with a depth of 18 – 100 mm. Endoeye has the peculiarity of having a flexible tip, that is, its head can rotate 100º on its axis, providing better angle vision during the surgery with no need to change its position.
- Digital 3Di Camera (Conmed): record in 2D and 3D thanks to the 3CCD technology, with HDMI port for high-quality images. Moreover, using the Zeiss optical system allows the lens to rotate 360º to orient the image. It is available in 10 and 5 mm, in 0 and 30 degree cameras.
- 3DHD Camera (Conmed): designed in 2DHD and 3DHD. The 2DHD has a single channel on a 5.5 mm scope and its frontal lens can rotate around 30º. On the other hand, the 3DHD has a dual and a single channel. These two heads mounted on a 10 mm shaft can rotate up to 30º. Both cameras, 2D and 3D, have high-quality resolution due to the 3-chip-HD and can regulate the flashlight.
- Matrix P Spectra (Xion Medical): 4K or HD resolution camera to visualise 3D images. This medical device has two kind of heads:aA head with a 2.7 mm diameter and 30º rotational freedom; and a head with a 4 mm diameter and 30º, 45º or 70º rotational freedom.
- VSiii Camera (Viosonsense): available in 4 mm diameter, 5.5 mm diameter, and an 4 mm diameter angular models, with different lengths, fields of vision and angles of vision. This camera records in HD resolution with a user-friendly interface. Records can also be downloaded via USB from the console.
- Image1 S (Karl Storz): available in 4 and 10.3 mm diameter scopes with HD resolution. Both cameras are easily manageable and thanks to the interface, multiple procedures can be multitasked at the same time. The camera zooms in in 2D and 3D and can regulate the intensity of the light source. This device has a software that includes variations to view the tissues depending on intra-corporeal characteristics: clara, chroma, and spectra.
Conclusion
Different 3D laparoscopic cameras are available in the market. Multiple characteristics are important when choosing an scope, although the rotational freedom of the lens, a flexible tip, and the ability to zoom in 3D are important features when choosing an endoscope.
