Medical use of compact digital cameras and digital video recorders

Abstract

Medical photography during microsurgery conventionally uses analog 3 CCD cameras for both still photos and movies. Although digital single-lens reflex 35 mm cameras have become available, they are less convenient than compact cameras for medical use because they are 3 to 5 times bigger and heavier, they cost 5 to 10 times more, and autofocus is not possible. To connect a compact digital still camera and video camera to an operation microscope and endoscope without reconstructing the camera, we developed a camera adapter to bridge gap between conventional and digital application. Pictures taken with the compact digital camera through the microscope and endoscope proved to be of the same quality or better than those taken with a large, expensive 35 mm digital single-lens reflex camera, and could be easily transferred to a computer. We believe this device with digital photography will revolutionize medical photography. © 2001, Society of Oto-rhino-laryngology Tokyo. All rights reserved.