Stereoscopic Patents (Class 359/376)
  • Patent number: 6643070
    Abstract: A viewing tube for an optical device and in particular for a microscope is described, in which there are provided in the beam path of the viewing tube beam splitters that deflect a portion of the light out to a simultaneous observation tube and/or to an imaging or recording unit, or reflect light from a display and/or processing unit into the beam path. In each beam path of the viewing tube there is provided only one beam splitter, which is rotatable about the optical axis of the respective beam path and always remains in the working position in the beam path. The respective beam splitter, depending upon its rotational position, deflects the reflected-out portion of the light into the corresponding beam path of the simultaneous observation tube or of the imaging or recording unit, or couples light into the beam path of the viewing tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventors: Jacques Alain Déverin, Benno Moser
  • Patent number: 6614595
    Abstract: A stereo endoscope having right and left optical systems for stereoscopic observation which form the right and left images, respectively. The stereo endoscope further including a third optical system which has a wider field of view and a smaller maximum lens diameter than the right and left optical systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Igarashi
  • Publication number: 20030161037
    Abstract: In an illumination incoupling system for an optical viewing device, illumination incoupling is provided simultaneously into main observer beam paths and assistant observer beam paths using two semitransparent and two fully reflective deflection elements arranged crosswise and symmetrically with respect to the optical axis of the main objective. Homogeneous illumination of the specimen field may thereby be achieved for both the main observer and the assistant observer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Sander
  • Publication number: 20030133187
    Abstract: The observation instrument for a stereoscopic operation microscope, with input connections (1) for the two beam paths (2, 7, 19) of the operation microscope, with instruments (8) for connecting observation tubes for the main observer, with display-screen units (11) and projection instruments (13) for projecting the images from the display-screen units (11) into the observation beam paths (2, 7, 19), with instruments for connecting video cameras and with instruments (10) for connecting tubes for a co-observer, is distinguished in that the following are arranged in each of the two beam paths behind the input connections (1), as viewed in the direction of the beam paths (2, 7, 19): a first beam splitter (3) for deviating a part of the light of the observation beam path into a video camera, behind this a switchable shutter (4) for attenuating and/or blocking the light of the observation beam path, and behind this an optical element (21, 23) with a second beam splitter (22), which splits the light of the observati
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Martin Schmidt, Wilhelm Duis, Richard D. Bucholz
  • Publication number: 20030117702
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an optical arrangement for stereoscopic viewing of objects (8) which is outfitted with an imaging system and with at least one lens group (1) with a fixed focal length which is arranged between the imaging system and a viewed object (8) for changing the imaging scale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Johannes Winterot, Johannes Knoblich, Bernd Meder
  • Publication number: 20030112503
    Abstract: A method for generating a stereoscopic presentation of a region-of-interest in a monoscopic information representation. The method includes the steps of: (a) selecting first and second viewpoints for the region-of-interest; (b) creating a lens surface having a predetermined lens surface shape for the region-of-interest, the lens surface having a plurality of polygonal surfaces constructed from a plurality of points sampled from the lens surface shape; (c) creating first and second transformed presentations by overlaying the representation on the lens surface and perspectively projecting the lens surface with the overlaid representation onto a plane spaced from the first and second viewpoints, respectively; and, (d) displaying the first and second transformed presentations on a display screen to generate the stereoscopic presentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventor: Maria Lantin
  • Publication number: 20030081310
    Abstract: A microscope having an objective for magnifying an image positioned at a focal plane of the objective. An elongate lens extends from a rear end adjacent the objective to a front end configured for penetrating the tissue of the living organism to position the lens adjacent cells inside the tissue. The lens is configured for transmitting light from a light source to the cells inside the tissue of the living organism adjacent the front end of the lens to illuminate the cells and for transmitting light from the cells back through the lens to the objective. A focusing mechanism moves the lens relative to the objective to position the lens so that the image plane of the lens corresponds with the focal plane of the objective thereby permitting the cells inside the tissue of the living organism to be viewed with the microscope. A microscope attachment which includes the lens and the focusing mechanism described above, and a method of viewing cells inside living tissue using such a microscope, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: Dennis Q. McManus
  • Publication number: 20030053202
    Abstract: A surgical microscope system utilizes a surgical microscope system 1 so that surgical procedures can be performed by a surgeon X and a surgical assistant Y while viewing a three-dimensional image displayed on each of CRT displays 30A, 30B. Comparing with the conventional system utilizing eyepieces, the surgical microscope system of the present invention hardly causes eye fatigue or physical fatigue, so that a burden on the body can be relieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Iekado SIBATA Yoshikatsu SEIKI
    Inventors: Iekado Sibata, Yoshikatsu Seiki, Teruzou Udagawa
  • Publication number: 20030048528
    Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for simultaneous zero-degree and oblique illumination for an optical viewing device, in particular a stereoscopic surgical microscope, which contains a shiftable prism combination (3) for deflecting a first illumination sub-beam a long distance from the optical axis (12) of the main objective in order to obtain an oblique illumination beam (9) (oblique illumination), and for deflecting a second illumination sub-beam (8) a short distance from the optical axis (12) of the main objective in order to obtain a zero-degree illumination (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Jacques Alain Deverin, Ulrich Sander
  • Patent number: 6525878
    Abstract: A 3-D viewing system is disclosed that enables multiple operators to share a common objective element while readily adjusting the orientation of images that are displayed to one or more moveable display units. The orientation of images that are displayed at a movable display unit can be made to automatically depend on the position/orientation of the display unit. Thus greater freedom in viewing postures is provided than previously available in 3-D viewing systems that share a common objective element, and each operator may view a 3-D image with proper perspective for his position/orientation. In order to reduce the number of optical components, the need to adjust optical components, and reduce costs, images from at least two different optical perspectives may be time-division multiplexed onto a single optical detecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Susumu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6493134
    Abstract: The invention concerns a microscope having a power and data transfer system between a microscope body (1) and an external control device or peripheral device (2, 13). According to the present invention, the power line (4) and data line (7) are laid physically together and are of integrated configuration, thus implementing a lightweight connection comprising few individual cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems AG
    Inventor: Juergen Pensel
  • Patent number: 6490083
    Abstract: An assembly for viewing cells inside tissue of a living organism. The assembly includes a confocal microscope having an objective for magnifying an image positioned at a focal plane of the objective and a light source adapted to direct light through the objective. The assembly also includes a rigid elongate tube extending from the objective to a tip sized and shaped for penetrating the tissue of the living organism. The tube has a hollow interior aligned with the objective. The interior of the tube is free of fiberoptic bundles and cover glasses. The assembly also includes a unitary cylindrical lens positioned in the hollow interior of the tube for transmitting light from the light source to the cells inside the tissue of the living organism adjacent the tip to illuminate the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: Dennis Q. McManus
  • Publication number: 20020149844
    Abstract: A microscope, which may be a stereomicroscope, includes: at least one objective; at least one eyepiece; at least one optical component configured to form a beam path from the objective to the eyepiece, where each optical component includes a lens, mirror, or deflection prism; and a tube configured to enclose a portion of the beam path, including at least one region of modifiable length configured to connect to at least one optical correction element and configured so that the optical correction element may be inserted into or removed from the portion of the beam path. The microscope may include a linkage between the tube and the correction lens configured to pivot or slide the correction lens as a function of a length of the region of modifiable length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Applicant: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Juergen Pensel, Ulrich Sander
  • Publication number: 20020126375
    Abstract: A stereo microscope comprises: a main objective; a main observation output configured so that a left-hand beam path and a right-hand beam path are formed between the main objective and the main observation output; at least one input reflection beam splitter in each of the left-hand and right-hand beam paths configured to reflect additional information into its corresponding beam path; at least one output reflection beam splitter in at least one of the left-hand and right-hand beam paths; at least one first switchable shutter associated with at least one of the left-hand and right-hand beam paths, located in front of a corresponding input reflection beam splitter; and at least one second switchable shutter associated with at least one of the left-hand and right-hand beam paths, located between the main observation output and a corresponding output reflection beam splitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Roger Spink, Jacques Alain Deverin, Benno Moser, Juergen Mannss
  • Publication number: 20020101653
    Abstract: The invention concerns a microscope having a basic body on or in which are arranged at least one microscope objective, at least one eyepiece, and at least one beam splitter that is provided in the beam path between the microscope objective and the eyepiece and that reflects a portion of the light out of the beam path to the eyepiece or reflects images into the beam path going to the eyepiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: Leica Microsystems AG
    Inventor: Juerg Muentener
  • Patent number: 6421173
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stereomicroscope (1) with a main body (3) and wit an interface device (2) which is connected to the main body (3) and/or to an accessory (4), either permanently or in a manner that does not permit easy removal, and the interface device (2) permits the rotation of the accessory (4) relative to the main body (3) in the manner of a pivot bearing (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems AG
    Inventors: Dennis Corbisiero, Ohm Savanayana, Heinz Suhner, Ulrich Sander
  • Publication number: 20020080481
    Abstract: The stereoscopic microscope includes a common close-up optical system that faces an object, a pair of zoom optical systems that form a pair of primary image, a pair of field stops, a pair of relay optical systems that relay the primary images to form a pair of secondary images, an inter-axis distance reducing element, an image taking device and an illuminating optical system. The object light rays incident on the close-up optical system form the primary images having predetermined parallax at the field stops through the zoom optical systems. The inter-axis distance reducing element reduces the inter-axis distance of the right and left light rays. The primary images are re-imaged by the relay optical systems as the secondary images on the adjacent regions on the single image taking surface of the image taking device, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Satoru Tachihara, Chinari Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20020057493
    Abstract: A stereomicroscope has a left and a right stereo radiation path and an adjusting device for selecting a stereo base. A main lens is arranged between an object to be observed and the adjusting device, which may be designed as an opto-mechanical switching device. The arrangement allows an integrated structure with low light losses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: Roger Spink, Bernhard Braunecker, John Rice Rogers, Klaus-Peter Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20020054431
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to various stereoscopic optical apparatuses. In one configuration, the apparatus uses a common optical encoder to interface with a number of different objectives. In one configuration, the apparatus uses an encoder that can be either removed from the optical path or reconfigured to produce a two-dimensional rather than a three-dimensional representation of an object. In one configuration, an optical encoder is provided that can provide filtration based on wavelength alone or based on both polarization and wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventor: Bryan Costales
  • Publication number: 20020054429
    Abstract: An arrangement for visual and quantitative three-dimensional examination of specimens, having a stereomicroscope (2). The stereomicroscope defines a first and a second observation beam path (4, 5), by way of which a specimen (6) to be examined can be visually observed. A confocal scanning device (1) is connected to the stereomicroscope (1) in such a way that a scanning beam path (3) defined by the confocal scanning device (1) scans the specimen (6) that is to be examined and in that context acquires data for a three-dimensional visual depiction of the specimen (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventors: Johann Engelhardt, Werner Knebel
  • Publication number: 20020034001
    Abstract: A system that permits biological samples to be viewed in three optical ways, including in three dimension (stereoscopic), two dimension (compound optic), and macro with reflected light fluorescence. Each of three optical views can be carried out on one system. The system permits the user to sort samples under stereo fluorescence illumination and to verify structural detail under compound optic fluorescence illumination on one instrument. The three position rotating nosepiece houses one stereoscopic and two compound lenses. All lenses are parcenter and parfocal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: KRAMER SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Lothar K. Faber
  • Patent number: 6348994
    Abstract: An arrangement for generating a stereoscopic image of an object for viewing by an observer includes an imaging optic for imaging the object and defining an imaging beam path as well as an entry pupil and an exit pupil. Illuminating optics illuminate the object by providing an imaging beam coming from the object and passing through the imaging optic and along the imaging beam path. The imaging beam is sectioned in the imaging beam path into two component beams at one of the following locations: in the exit pupil, near the exit pupil or at a position along the imaging beam path which is optically conjugated to the exit pupil, thereby forming stereoscopic sectioned images. The stereoscopic section images are allocated in a clocked manner to the left and the right eyes of the observer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Geier, Hans Tandler, Gudrun Nordt
  • Patent number: 6333813
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a stereomicroscope comprising an object observation unit and an electronic image unit. The object observation unit includes an objective lens barrel section and a binocular lens barrel section, with the binocular lens barrel section including an interpupillary adjusting mechanism in a light path following a first image plane. The electronic image unit includes an electronic image display device and a projection optical system The object observation unit has an object observation image that remains fixed in position at the first image plane during interpupillary adjustment of the binocular lens barrel section. The projected image from the electronic image display device is made to be substantially in focus at the first image plane. Images at the first image plane may be relayed to a second image plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Morita, Masaaki Ueda, Takashi Fukaya
  • Publication number: 20010050808
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a stereomicroscope comprising an object observation unit and an electronic image unit. The object observation unit includes an objective lens barrel section and a binocular lens barrel section, with the binocular lens barrel section including an interpupillary adjusting mechanism in a light path following a first image plane. The electronic image unit includes an electronic image display device and a projection optical system The object observation unit has an object observation image that remains fixed in position at the first image plane during interpupillary adjustment of the binocular lens barrel section. The projected image from the electronic image display device is made to be substantially in focus at the first image plane. Images at the first image plane may be relayed to a second image plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Kazuo Morita, Masaaki Ueda, Takashi Fukaya
  • Patent number: 6327079
    Abstract: A stereoscopic microscope comprising a uniaxial optical system consisting of an objective lens system and a vari-focal optical system which is coaxial with the objective lens system, and at least a pair of observation optical systems, wherein right and left optical axes of the observation optical systems pass through locations different from that of an optical axis of the uniaxial optical system and wherein the uniaxial optical system comprises a positive lens component made of an extraordinary dispersive optical material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Namii, Toyoharu Hanzawa
  • Patent number: 6320702
    Abstract: An afocal zoom lens comprising, in order from an object side, a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, a third lens group having a positive refractive power and a fourth lens group having a negative refractive power; the second lens group being movable in a fixed direction from the object side to an image side and the third lens group being movable in a fixed direction from the image side to the object side at the time of the zooming of from the low magnification end state to the high magnification end state. The afocal zoom lens fulfills specific conditions. The afocal zoom lens has a zoom ratio of 14 magnifications or higher and has a good optical performance. Also disclosed is a microscope having such a lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuo Yonezawa
  • Publication number: 20010040724
    Abstract: A method and teaching for creating stereographic images with the use of a single lens is presented. A leading linear polarizing filter, a passive half-wave retarder, an electric switched quarter-wave retarder, and a trailing linear polarizing filter are then used in various combination to create: a 3D microscope, a 3D video adapter for microscopes, a general purpose 3D video lens, a 3D video adapter, and a 3D light-valve. A neutral density filter replaces those components to then create a 3D ocular and a 3D ocular adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: SL3D, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan Costales
  • Patent number: 6313952
    Abstract: An adapter lens for a Greenough-type stereomicroscope (SM1), the adapter comprising a negative lens group (4) and a positive lens group (5) along an optical axis (AX3). The adapter lens attaches to the objective lens side of the Greenough-type stereomicroscope. Variation of the distance (D54L, D54H) between the positive and the negative lens group allows an operator of the stereomicroscope to position the eye pieces (8 and 8′) of the stereomicroscope to a comfortable height for ease of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuo Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 6304374
    Abstract: A stereoscopic microscope comprising an objective lens system and a variable magnification optical system which are disposed coaxially with each other in addition to an eyepiece optical system, and configured so as to permit stereoscopic observation of an image of an object by leading, to right and left eyes of an observer by way of the eyepiece optical system, rays having passed through portions apart from optical axes of the objective lens system and the variable magnification optical system. This stereoscopic microscope has a length as measured from the observer's eyes to the object to be observed which is shortened by disposing at least two reflecting members in the variable magnification optical system for bending an optical path in the variable magnification optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toyoharu Hanzawa
  • Publication number: 20010010592
    Abstract: A stereomicroscope has an objective system, a zoom system, and an eyepiece system. The zoom system consists of two systems that are juxtaposed at the same height. This arrangement reduces the vertical size of a body (2) of the stereomicroscope, allows an observer to easily see a target below the stereomicroscope with the naked eye as and when required, and improves workability when an assistant microscope (7) is attached to the stereomicroscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Applicant: Mitaka Kohki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsushige Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6256143
    Abstract: A stereoscopic, long-distance microscope is capable of stereoscopically viewing targets within the range of 100 mm to 300 mm from the front lens element. The system preferably comprises: a front lens element having a diameter Dfl for receiving light rays from the target; a rear mirror having a diameter Drm for receiving light rays from the front lens element; a secondary mirror located on the rear surface R2 of the front lens element for receiving light reflected from the rear mirror element; and, an angled mirror located between the secondary mirror and the stereoscopic eyepiece in its turn receiving light rays reflected from said angled mirror and presenting them to both eyes of the viewer. The diameter Dfl of the front lens element is preferably significantly smaller than the diameter Drm of the rear mirror element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Inventors: Douglas M. Knight, Robert Machemer, Ronald F. Overaker, Brian C. Dodge
  • Patent number: 6239918
    Abstract: An optical device and a viewing method having a higher magnification viewing area located substantially centrally in a lower magnification area, whereby the structure facilitates locating viewing object within in higher magnification viewing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventors: Mark Young, Julie Brinson, Jeb Zaun
  • Patent number: 6226119
    Abstract: A high-magnification objective optical system for binocular stereomicroscopes, each having two observation optical systems for forming light from an object into left and right images through an objective lens, is provided with an optical member placed to be removable or replaceable between the object to be observed and the objective lens and satisfies the following condition: 0.2<|NA·m|<1.2 where NA is a numerical aperture on an object side of the objective lens and m is the magnification of the objective lens. In this way, a stereoscopic observation is obtained, holding good performance of image formation at high magnification and NA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyonobu Kurata
  • Patent number: 6215589
    Abstract: An optical system for a stereoscopic surgical microscope for interchanging two light rays parallel to the optical centre axis with simultaneous image reversion for both rays without parallel offset of the emerging pair of rays with respect to the entering pair of rays, comprising elements reflecting on one side and two elements reflecting in parallel on both sides, all of which are arranged in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. Each of the elements reflecting on both sides reflects the incident ray with its front side via the elements reflecting on one side to the rear side of the respectively other elements reflecting on both sides. All the optical elements are configured as flat, superficially mirror-coated mirrors, so that their substrate lies completely outside the path of rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Moller-Wedel GmbH
    Inventor: Lorenz Twisselmann
  • Patent number: 6147800
    Abstract: A reflective light fluorescence system that functions on a stereo microscope with two distinct optical paths to illuminate samples that have been stained with a fluorochrome or that may exhibit autofluorescence. The stereo microscope includes a source of illumination and a filter module with two dichroic mirrors, for sending an excited wavelength of the illumination equally down both optical axes to excite the sample uniformly. A portion of the illumination light passes through the first dichroic mirror, which is preferably about 50% dichroic, to the second dichroic mirror, while the remaining light is reflected down one optical path of the microscope. The second dichroic mirror, which is preferably about 100% dichroic, reflects 100% of the remaining portion of the illumination light down the second optical path. Thus, the sample is uniformly excited by the illumination light reflected down both optical paths. The resulting emitted signal is transmitted from the sample up through the optical paths equally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Kramer Scientific Corporation
    Inventor: Lothar K. Faber
  • Patent number: 6104426
    Abstract: A stereo-endoscope, by which two perspective views of an objective field are viewed, is provided. A divergent optical arrangement, positioned between the object field and two objective lenses, each of which forms a respective image of the object field, reduces the disparity between corresponding points in the two image fields, where such disparity is caused by distortion of the image formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventor: Graham S. B. Street
  • Patent number: 6014166
    Abstract: A system operative with photon tunneling microscopy presents an image on a two-dimensional display which is perceived as a three-dimensional presentation by a person viewing the display. An optical image of the subject produced by the microscope is scanned by means of a television vidicon which converts the optical signal to an electric signal representing depth of a surface feature. The electric signal is outputted to the display wherein the image is presented as a set of line scans parallel to the horizontal axis of the display, and wherein the magnitude of the electric signal is plotted on the vertical axis of the display. A variable delay is introduced to be either increased or decreased stepwise between successive ones of the line scans. This results in a tilting of the presentation to the right or the left. Two tilted views are presented simultaneously, one to one eye and one to the other eye of an observer, to give a perception of a three-dimensional view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Guerra
  • Patent number: 6005710
    Abstract: The invention concerns a microscope, in particular an operating microscope with an autofocussing system that adjusts focus based on the user's gaze. A sensor tracks pupil position and this information is evaluated to determine a specific area in the user's field of vision to which the user's gaze is directed, and the autofocussing system brings the specific area into focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems AG
    Inventors: Jurgen Pensel, Herbert M. Stuttler
  • Patent number: 5991090
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an afocal zoom system for a surgical microscope. The zoom system has an even number of members and is symmetrically configured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung
    Inventor: Fritz Strahle
  • Patent number: 5986801
    Abstract: An inverting and reversing prism system for a stereo microscope having an optical longitudinal axis and left and right eye viewing systems having left and right longitudinal axes, respectively, along which left and right beam paths are transmitted, respectively, comprising: at least four reflecting surfaces (13, 15, 16, 13A and 13A, 15A, 16A, 13) in each beam path (14, 14A), two of the reflecting surfaces (13, 13A and 13A, 13) in each beam path comprising inlet and outlet surfaces, respectively, for deflecting the beam path by 90.degree., the inlet and outlet surfaces in each beam path being oriented 45.degree. relative to the optical longitudinal axis of the microscope and 90.degree. relative to each other, with a line of intersection (26) of planes containing the inlet and outlet surfaces in each beam path defining an angle of 45.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventors: Donald A. Volk, Fernando Diaz-Estevez
  • Patent number: 5907432
    Abstract: A lens barrel applied to a stereo-microscope comprising a static section, an image forming lens section provided in the static section, a movable section rotatably supported by the static section, an eyepiece section supported by the movable section, an erecting optical section, provided in the static section, for erecting an observing image to be formed by a beam emitted from the image forming lens, a reflecting optical section for reflecting the beam emitted from the erecting optical section, a guiding optical section, provided in the movable section, for guiding the beam reflected by the reflecting optical section to the eyepiece section, and a varying mechanical section for varying an angle of a reflective surface of the reflecting optical section such that the beam image reflected by the reflecting optical section is guided to the eyepiece section through the guiding optical section in accordance with a rotation of the movable section from the static section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshimi Hayasaka
  • Patent number: 5889611
    Abstract: The invention provides an operating microscope for observing an operating field and also for producing a three-dimensional visualization of image data of the operating field or also of a vicinity of the operating field. The user of the operating microscope, for example a surgeon, can observe a three-dimensional visualization of image data during use of the operating microscope, said image data having been acquired by computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and being stored in an image memory. Preferably, an image processing unit derives a stereoscopic image of the operating field from the stored image data, which stereoscopic image is coupled into the binocular of the operating microscope. The user can then optionally observe the actual operating field or a perspective image formed by means of the registered image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Frans W. Zonneveld
  • Patent number: 5867308
    Abstract: A microscope (23A) has a sensor or eye pupil tracking device (3A) and preferably a device for representing symbols of control elements by means of which various functions or accessories of the microscope may be actuated by eye movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Leica Mikroskopie Systeme AG
    Inventors: Jurgen Pensel, Herbert M. Stuttler
  • Patent number: 5865829
    Abstract: A medical optical system includes an observation optical system for guiding light emitted from a light source to a predetermined part to be illuminated, and causing light reflected from the predetermined part to be incident on the observation optical system. The medical optical system further includes a light separator, a guide optical system, and a display unit. The light separator is disposed at an intermediate part of the observation optical system, for separating the reflected light into reflected light of a visible observation wavelength area to be passed therethrough and reflected light or fluorescent light of the other wavelength area to be extracted therefrom. The guide optical system guides the light separated and extracted by the light separator to an image pick-up device so that an image of the separated light is formed on the image pick-up device. And the display unit displays the separated light image picked up by the image pick-up device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventor: Nobuaki Kitajima
  • Patent number: 5825534
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stereoendoscope having a sight line folded relative to the tube axis. The endoscope includes a distal front optic having a deflecting prism 4b. The deflecting prism 4b is mounted between a component 4a having a negative refractive power and a proximal component 4c having a positive refractive power. The inlet pupils 11 of the viewing component are imaged demagnified in the reflecting prism 4b by field optics (7, 7', 13) and transmitting optics (8, 8', 14). In this way, the beam can be guided free of vignetting without field cropping for both stereo channels through the endoscope tube and through the reflecting prism 4b even for a large object field angles and without image cropping. The endoscope tube 2 and the viewing component 1 are rotatable with respect to each other about the optical axis 12 within the endoscope tube 2 so that the line of sight can be changed for a viewing component fixed in space. The stereo basis remains for a rotation of the endoscope tube 2 fixed in space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung
    Inventor: Fritz Strahle
  • Patent number: 5825532
    Abstract: Disclosed hereby is a microscopic system integrated with wide-screen television in which a medical information is combined with an image signal picked up by an imaging device including a microscope, a wide-screen television camera and an adaptor for mounting the camera on the microscope; the synthesized image signal is transmitted to be recorded/reproduced and the synthesized image is displayed as a stereoscopic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: NHK Engineering Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryo Mochizuki, Shinrokuro Nagashima, Hiroshi Saito
  • Patent number: 5822114
    Abstract: A stereoscopic microscope comprising an objective lens system and a variable magnification optical system which are disposed coaxially with each other in addition to an eyepiece optical system, and configured so as to permit stereoscopic observation of an image of an object by leading, to right and left eyes of an observer by way of the eyepiece optical system, rays having passed through portions apart from optical axes of the objective lens system and the variable magnification optical system. This stereoscopic microscope has a length as measured from the observer's eyes to the object to be observed which is shortened by disposing at least two reflecting members in the variable magnification optical system for bending an optical path in the variable magnification optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toyoharu Hanzawa
  • Patent number: 5748367
    Abstract: An illuminating device for a stereo microscope having an objective with variable imaging focal intercept includes first coupling mechanism, which effects a coupling between the imaging focal intercept of the objective and the likewise adjustable focal intercept of the illuminating optical system, separate from the observation optics, in such a manner that the illuminating focal intercept is in agreement with the imaging focal intercept of the objective. Moreover, adjusting mechanism is provided for the defined adjustment of the diameter of the illuminated field. In particular, the illuminating device is suitable for a surgical microscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung
    Inventors: Christian Lucke, Gunther Summerer, Hartmut Gartner
  • Patent number: 5729382
    Abstract: A stereoscopic microscope having right and left eyepiece lens systems for observation of two aerial images formed with parallax. The stereoscopic microscope comprises a main body housing and an eyepiece body housing which comprises an optical system ranging to aerial images formed at locations nearest the observer's eyes and eyepiece lens systems including transmission type light diffusing devices which are disposed in the vicinities of the aerial images formed at the locations nearest the observer's eyes, thereby permitting enlarging the exit pupils and performing stereoscopic observation with little fatigue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Morita, Toyoharu Hanzawa
  • Patent number: 5689365
    Abstract: A stereoscopic-vision endoscope having an objective optical system consisting of a front optical system having a single optical axis including a field conversion optical system, and a rear optical system including optical systems that have a plurality of optical axes. A light beam is received from the front optical system so as to form images on the optical axes, and thus form a plurality of images. The front and rear optical systems can be turned relative to each other. Thus, a magnitude of parallax permitting a sufficient sense of three-dimensionality can be provided, and the postures of images can be corrected responsively to a change in direction of view resulting from the rotation of an insertional part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Susumu Takahashi