Abstract: An optical fiber connector is provided. A receptacle has an angled interior surface that acts to guide an optical fiber into the correct position as a jack is inserted into the receptacle.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector is provided. A receptacle has an angled interior surface that acts to guide an optical fiber into the correct position as a jack is inserted into the receptacle.

Abstract: An objective element for use in an endoscope is provided. The objective element comprises a flat glass plate that is in contact with the plano side of a plano-convex lens. The side of the flat glass plate in contact with the plano-convex lens is coated with an opaque material other than an aperture that is in line with the axis of the plano-convex lens. Alternatively, the plano side of a plano-convex lens may be coated with an opaque material other than an aperture that is in line with the axis of the plano-convex lens.

Abstract: A quick connect coupler for interconnecting small-diameter optical fiber bundles between an instrument and an illumination source. The quick connect coupler includes a connector body with a fitting that carries optical fiber from an illumination source. A stem attaches to optical fiber from the instrument. The stem is inserted into the connector body until shoulders on each abut and prevent further relative motion. Arms on the connector body ride over a band on the stem and capture the stem within the connector body. As a result, the gap between the adjacent ends of the optical fiber from the illumination source and the instrument can be fixed at a well-controlled small size, thereby minimizing any light loss through the quick connect coupler.

Abstract: A stereoscopic endoscope includes a proximal main body, an outer tube extended to a distal end of the endoscope and a pair of optical train subassemblies. Distal and proximal inserts in the distal and proximal ends of the outer tube, respectively, support the optical train subassemblies. First and second optical fiber bundles substantially fill all of the voids between the inner surface of the outer tube and the outer surfaces of the inserts and the optical train subassemblies.

Abstract: An adjustment system for use in a stereoscopic imaging system for adjusting the dipvergence and/or convergence of a displayed stereo image pair. A plano-plano window is mounted for tilting in one of the image paths thereby to enable the correction of dipvergence shifts, the adjustment of convergence or both.

Abstract: A rigid endoscope includes an outer housing subassembly that supports an optics subassembly. The outer housing subassembly includes concentric tubes with optical fiber for providing object illumination. The optics subassembly includes a tubular sheath sealed at both ends for carrying lenses and other optical elements. First and second positioners associated with the optics subassembly and the outer housing subassembly, respectively, limit the transfer of axial forces from the proximal end of the endoscope to the tubular sheath.

Abstract: A lens structure and method for manufacture of such a lens. A lens element has multiple sawn planar faces between image forming surfaces so the lens element has a polygonal cross section. The manufacture includes the step of utilizing oversized conventional cylindrical lens elements and other optical elements formed into lens systems. The faces are sawn to reduce the overall size. The sawing can be applied to integral lens elements or assemblies or lens arrays.

Abstract: A rigid endoscope includes an outer housing subassembly that supports an optics subassembly. The outer housing subassembly includes concentric tubes with optical fiber for providing object illumination. The optics subassembly includes a tubular sheath sealed at both ends for carrying lenses and other optical elements. A slow-curing adhesive material fills an annular gap between the optics and outer housing subassemblies. The adhesive material has a tear strength that seals and positions the optics subassembly for normal use and that enables the optics subassembly to be withdrawn from the outer housing subassembly for repair.

Abstract: A convergence prism assembly with a housing and a prism structure having a plurality of prisms mounted in a unitary assembly.

Abstract: Optical devices which accurately position optical elements and methods for producing such optical devices. Each optical element is carried by a support on an axis that has portions plastically deformed to overlap portions of the faces of the optical element adjacent an intermediate peripheral surface. This configuration locks the optical element axially in the support and produces a positive rigid retaining structure for each optical element.

Abstract: A lens assembly and method for manufacture. The lens assembly includes at least one lens element, with multiple sawn planar faces formed parallel to an optical axis and spaced equidistantly from the optical axis so the lens element has a polygonal cross section. Each lens element has a centered, rotationally symmetric characteristic so the overall assembly has a corresponding characteristic. The manufacture includes the step of utilizing oversized conventional cylindrical lens elements and other optical elements formed into lens systems. The faces are sawn to reduce the overall size. A circumscribing sheath provides a segmental lumen along each face.

Abstract: A rigid endoscope includes an outer housing subassembly that supports an optics subassembly. The outer body subassembly includes concentric tubes with optical fiber for providing object illumination. The optics subassembly includes a tubular sheath sealed at both ends. A compression spring is positioned between a proximal most relay lens element and a distal most eyepiece element. The spring exerts a distally acting force on the elements of an optical objective and relay lens system. It also produces a proximally directed force on optical elements in the eyepiece. This minimizes differential thermal expansion stresses during autoclaving operations.

Abstract: A convergence prism assembly with a housing and a prism structure having a plurality of prisms mounted in a unitary assembly.

Abstract: An optical testing apparatus for measuring the transmission characteristics of a DWDM filter. A first opto-mechanical lens assembly comprises a light emitter and a first optical axis which is angularly adjustable via a spherically shaped bearing surface pivoting about a specified first fixed point. A second opto-mechanical lens assembly comprises a light collector and a second optical axis which is also angularly adjustable via a spherically shaped bearing surface pivoting about a specified second fixed point whereby the second optical axis is positioned coaxially with respect to the first optical axis. The first optical axis and the second optical axis are coaxially aligned passing through a center of the DWDM filter positioned on a platen.

Abstract: A stereoscopic endoscope system for producing images that can be perceived in three dimensions. An endoscope apparatus includes a sheath carrying a light source and two independent fixed lens endoscopes. Collimated light from the proximal ends of each endoscope are directed along folded optical paths to independent video cameras. The images generated by the video cameras energize monitors in a virtual reality display device that can be positioned proximate an observer's eyes. Adjustable mirrors and the provision of the rotation of at least one of the video cameras on its axis facilitate the alignment of the images for maximum effect.

Abstract: An endoscope with an eyepiece and an objective lens system used for observing an object in an environmental media. The distal most optical element in the objective lens system is a spherical lens. The spherical lens has a curved distal surface that contacts the environmental media. The objective lens system facilitates the control of the distortion in an image generated by the objective lens system to approximate a reverse distortion of the eyepiece system measured as the distortion in an image generated distally of the eyepiece system of an object positioned proximally of the eyepiece system.

Abstract: An eyepiece adapter mechanism for providing a quick positive engagement to an interfacing instrument such as a B-styled endoscope. The adapter mechanism comprises a rigid back plate for providing a permanent attachment for the mechanism. A C-clip retainer positioned within a circumferential chamber of the back plate acts as a locking ring under the elastic force of the C-clip material itself to provide a grip around the interfacing instrument when installed into the back plate. An outwardly protruding portion of the C-clip, acting as a lever, releases the interfacing instrument when the level is moved toward a fixed post located a predetermined distance from the lever to facilitate single handed operation. An alternate embodiment provides a quick attach/release adapter without an eyepiece and employing a C-clip retainer.

Abstract: An endoscope has an elongated sheath that follows a curved path. The sheath houses a plurality of relay lens sets designed to have a maximum usable field of view that is greater than the size of an image to be produced. Discrete lens elements within the image transfer guide allow the image to offset to the edges of the maximum usable field of view thereby to allow the axes through the individual sets to progressively shift in angle to form the curved path.

Abstract: An eyepiece adapter mechanism for providing a quick positive engagement to an interfacing instrument such as a B-styled endoscope. The adapter mechanism comprises a rigid back plate for providing a permanent attachment for the mechanism. A C-clip retainer positioned within a circumferential chamber of the back plate acts as a locking ring under the elastic force of the C-clip material itself to provide a grip around the interfacing instrument when installed into the back plate. An outwardly protruding portion of the C-clip, acting as a lever, releases the interfacing instrument when the level is moved toward a fixed post located a predetermined distance from the lever to facilitate single handed operation. An alternate embodiment provides a quick attach/release adapter without an eyepiece and employing a C-clip retainer.