Figure 2.2 A smaller video tower setup for small animal rigid endoscopy with a single high‐definition flat screen monitor on a rotating arm at the top of the tower. Stacked on the top shelf are an Image One image capture module on top, a high‐definition camera control box in the middle, and a Xenon 300‐W light source on the bottom. The next shelf down has a Thermoflator insufflator with gas flow capacity up to 30 l/min and ability to preheat insufflation gas to body temperature. Below is an Autocon II 200 radio‐frequency generator with bipolar and monopolar capabilities. On the bottom shelf is a Vetpump 2 fluid management system for irrigation and suction.
(Source: Photo courtesy of Karl Storz: ©Karl Storz SE & Co KG, Germany.)
Figure 2.3 The video endoscopy tower used by the author in a private referral practice setting for multiple endoscopic techniques. A flat screen monitor is on the top of the cart on a rotating table. A keypad is present on the top shelf that pulls out for access to the keypad for data entry. On the next shelf down on the left side is a 30‐W diode laser and stacked on the right side from top to bottom are a laparoflator, a 300‐W Xenon light source, and a camera control box with two attachment points for video camera heads and an integral image capture device. The middle shelf has an arthroscopy power shaver control box on the left and the foot switch for the diode laser on the right. The bottom shelf from top to bottom has a LigaSure control box and a VAPR bipolar radio‐frequency device for arthroscopy. The drawer at the bottom contains support supplies.
2.2.2 Video Cameras (Table 2.1)
Table 2.1 Video systems for small animal endoscopy.
| Endoscopy video camerasSingle‐chip camerasVeterinary video camera III, 69236020Tele cam one‐chip camera head, 20 212 030 / 20 212 130 (PAL/NTSC)Three‐chip HD camerasImage 1 S connect, TC200Image 1 S H3‐LINK, module for rigid endoscopy, full HD TC300Three‐chip FULL HD Camera Heads, TH 100Three‐chip HD 3‐D camerasImage 1 S, connect, TC200Image 1 S D‐3 link, TC302, module for 3D endoscopyRigid 3D 10 mm lap video endoscope, 0°/30°, 26605AA/BA4K camera systemImage 1 S connect® II, 4K technology, TC201Image 1 S™ 4U link, TC 3044K camera head, TC304Tele pack VET X LEDAll‐in‐one video endoscopic imaging system, includes integrated camera unit, LED light source, monitor, insufflation pump and image capture, RP100Endoscopy video monitors21.5″ HD monitor, 69 276 N32″ 4K/3D monitor, TM350Endoscopy light sourcesXENON: Cold Light Fountain XENON 100 SCB, with integrated insufflation pump, 69 132 601‐1LEDCold Light Fountain POWER LED 175 SCB, 20161401‐1Cold Light Fountain COMBI LED SCB, with integrated insufflation pump for air and CO2, TL100S1Light guide cableFiberoptic light cable, 3.5 mm × 230 cm, 69495NA |
Specifically designed video cameras for endoscopy and minimally invasive surgery are small, lightweight (Figure 2.4) because the majority of electronic circuitry for the system is in a control unit box that is out of the operative field in the video system tower (Figure 1.10). The camera head couples directly to rigid and flexible endoscope eyepieces to create a one‐piece operating system (Figure 2.5). The current trend is digital high‐definition cameras and monitors, but standard definition single‐chip and three‐chip cameras are also available with analog or digital technology.
Figure 2.4 A Karl Storz Endoscopy IMAGE 1 FULL HD Three‐Chip Camera Head H3‐Z. This is an example of the small lightweight camera heads designed for endoscopy.
(Source: Photo courtesy of Karl Storz: ©Karl Storz SE & Co KG, Germany.)
Figure 2.5 An endoscopic video camera head attached securely to a 10 mm laparoscope to create a one‐piece operating system.
An alternative to a video camera system tower for limited space situations and for mobile applications is a Tele Pack (Figure 2.6). This self‐contained system includes a light source, camera control box, monitor, a capture system, and an air pump for gastrointestinal insufflation in a single small suitcase‐sized unit. This unit uses a standard definition single‐chip camera.
Figure 2.6 A Karl Storz Endoscopy Tele Pack Vet X LED self‐contained endoscopy video system with a camera control box, LED light source, monitor, capture system, and air pump for gastrointestinal insufflation in a single small suitcase‐sized box.
(Source: Photo courtesy of Karl Storz: ©Karl Storz SE & Co KG, Germany.)
A good‐quality autoexposure single‐chip camera is more than adequate for small animal endoscopy and minimally invasive surgery. These cameras are lightweight, compact, connect directly to the telescope, and provide an excellent image. Three‐chip cameras and high‐definition cameras have higher resolution and better color separation but are only necessary for obtaining publication or presentation quality capture images.
A significant recent advance in camera technology is that they are now available as autoclavable versions greatly speeding instrument turnaround. It is critical to determine if the camera that you have is autoclavable or not. If you have a camera that is not autoclavable and it is subjected to the heat and moisture of an autoclave cycle, it will be destroyed. Cameras designated as autoclavable are still soakable and sterilizable with gas or plasma.
2.2.3 Video Monitors (Table 2.1)
The medical‐grade video monitors previously recommended and considered to be necessary for effective