A laparoscope that generates three-dimensional images in real time by the VISIDEPtm technique of alternating frames has been tested. Images from two separate viewpoints are combined through special folded optics and brought out along a single light path where they are viewed with a single eye or with a single video camera. Liquid-crystal shutters are used to alternately switch between the two stereoscopically related views at a rate of 10 Hz in accordance with the VISIDEPtm teachings. The resulting three-dimensional image is autostereoscopic and may be viewed on any standard television monitor. Although the instrument provides for two separate viewpoints, it is built to the same external dimensions as conventional monocular laparoscopes with an outside diameter of 11 mm. This laparoscope can be adapted to field-sequential stereo for presentation of separate images to separate eyes with the aid of electro-optic glasses.

Date Published: 1 August 1991
PDF: 4 pages
Proc. SPIE 1457, Stereoscopic Displays and Applications II, (1 August 1991); doi: 10.1117/12.46320

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 1457:
Stereoscopic Displays and Applications II
John O. Merritt; Scott S. Fisher, Editor(s)