Abstract: A movable lens is provided at the tip of an electroscope, and an optically enlarged image can be observed by moving the movable lens by a motor. A microcomputer measures the entire moving time from a far end to a near end of the movable lens, and the moving time is used as the variable power position information about the movable lens. The variable power position information is displayed by a meter display, etc. on a monitor. Thus, an encoder, etc. is not required.

Abstract: A surgical microscope comprising a microscope body, lens means attached to the microscope body for magnifying an object image, an eyepiece attached to the microscope body for viewing the magnified object image, and coupling means attached to the microscope body for retaining a supplementary lens in optical alignment with the lens means, the coupling means being configured for introducing the supplementary lens through a percutaneous penetration into a body cavity, wherein the eyepiece and the lens means are configured to facilitate stereoscopic viewing. In a variation of the surgical microscope, a plurality of binocular eyepieces are attached to the microscope body to allow multiple persons to contemporaneously view the magnified object image.

Abstract: An endoscope to perform non-tethered macroscopy and microscopy at the same time is provided. An electromagnetic source is used to deliver electromagnetic energy through a first optical pathway to a tissue inside a body. An image detector is used to detect the reflected electromagnetic energy from the tissue through a second optical pathway as real-time images. A macro-to-micro lens set is used to change the magnification of the reflected electromagnetic energy before it reaches the image detector with two or more different magnification levels. A filter set is used to filter the reflected electromagnetic energy before it reaches the image detector. Furthermore, the endoscope includes a flexible shaft. The distal end of the shaft includes a spread and spot means to spread and spot the electromagnetic energy at the tissue. A processing means is also included for processing the detected images.

Abstract: A rotary driving member at the tip end portion is rotated by a motor through a linear transmission member, and the rotation of this rotary driving member is converted into a straight-line motion to thereby enable a movable lens for making the observation distance variable to move within a predetermined range. A motor shaft and the linear transmission member are connected to each other by the shaft connecting member, whereby the linear transmission member is constructed so as to be able to move in an axial direction, and on the outer peripheral portion of the shaft connecting member, a rotating member having a protruded portion is mounted, and the rotation stopper mechanism is constituted by the rotating member and a locking pin portion. Thereby, any kink of the linear transmission member is eliminated to improve the response of driving control, and loads given to the tip end portion driving member and the linear transmission member are reduced.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope having a video-scope with an image sensor, a video-processor and a display has an image forming processor, a signal processor and a display-state changing processor. The signal processor generates video signals on the basis of image-pixel signals from the image sensor and outputs said video signals to said display. The display-state changing processor changes a display-state from a normal-display to a magnified-display and from the magnified-display to the normal-display. In the case of the normal-display, the image forming processor forms a normal-display subject image composed of a smaller number of pixels than that of the all-pixel subject image. In the case of the magnified-display, the image forming processor forms a magnified-display subject image composed of pixels arranged within a part-area.

Abstract: A zoom laparoscope having a laparoscope base unit with a proximal end and a distal end and having a sheath with a zoom assembly. In one embodiment, the laparoscope comprises a two dimensional solid state imaging sensor. The laparoscope can contain a sheath locking mechanism located at both its proximal and distal ends. The sheath can comprise a light transmitting material for illumination of a region of interest. In an alternate embodiment, the sheath comprises an attachment for changing the angle of view of the laparoscope. The laparoscope can also contain a handle at its proximal end.

Abstract: To provide an electronic endoscope system provided with an objective optical system for optically magnifying an image to be observed by using a variable power lens and an electronic zoom IC circuit for electronically magnifying an image obtained by a CCD. A depth of field at the time of switching between optical variable power and electronic variable power is set at an arbitrary value by key operation etc. of a control panel of a processor. When the depth of field becomes a setting value, for example, 16 mm (lens position before Near end), during the operation of optical variable power based on the operation of a variable power switch, electronic variable power is executed by the electronic zoom IC circuit. Thereby, an enlarged image in which the depth of a subject to be observed with irregularities is properly in focus can be obtained.

Abstract: An endoscope assembly is disclosed having a housing adapted to be manipulated by medical personnel, such as a surgeon. An elongated lens tube has one end secured to the housing while the free end of the lens tube is adapted for insertion into a cavity of a body. At least one, and preferably several, lens assemblies are longitudinally slidably mounted within the lens tube and movable between longitudinally spaced positions within the lens tube. A drive mechanism is mounted to the housing and mechanically coupled to each lens assembly to move the lens assemblies longitudinally within the lens tube independently of one another. In doing so, the lens assemblies provide varying degrees of magnification between low or macroscopic magnification and microscopic magnification at the free end of the lens tube. A stage is also detachably secured over the lens tube and has a transparent window across its end adjacent the free end of the lens tube.

Abstract: An endoscope having an objective lens drive mechanism for an optical objective lens system, which is incorporated into a rigid tip end section of an elongated insertion instrument of the endoscope and provided with at least two movable lens groups which are movable in the direction of optical axis of the objective lens system. Ring members are connected to movable lens frames which support the respective movable lens groups. A cam pin is projected radially on the inner periphery of each ring member, while a cam shaft which is formed with a plural number of cam grooves on its circumferential surface is located in parallel relation with the optical objective lens system. The members are fitted on the cam shaft with the respective cam pins in engagement with the cam grooves. The cam shaft is rotated in forward and reverse directions by a drive means.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic endoscope apparatus which prevents a picked up image from being blurred utilizing an optical magnification change mechanism. A viewing distance is changed by moving a movable lens with an actuator, magnification changing location of the movable lens is detected with an encoder and a shutter speed for a CCD which is shorter than an exposure time while the optical magnification changing mechanism is not operating is set with a CPU dependently on the magnification changing location. It is possible to prevent an image from being blurred, for example, by storing various patterns which provide higher electronic shutter speeds as an image magnification ratio is enhanced in a ROM and controlling an electronic shutter speed with these patterns.

Abstract: In the endoscope configured so as to drive a tip end portion movable lens for making the observation distance variable by the linear transmission member and to rotate this linear transmission member by a motor, a shaft of the motor is connected to a shaft connecting member, and a sliding guide hole having a predetermined length is formed on a cylindrical member wall of this shaft connecting member. And, within this shaft connecting member, a distal member of the linear transmission member is movably disposed, and this distal member is provided with a pin engaging with the sliding guide hole. This apparatus advances and retreats the linear transmission member in the rotating shaft direction during the bending operation, and provides a constant load to a motor rotating shaft, making it possible to obtain a stable magnification changing operation even though there may be a change in posture of an endoscope insertion unit.

Abstract: A TV observation system for endoscopes has an illumination system including a light source for emitting light to illuminate an object and a light transmitting section for transmitting the light from the light source to the distal end of an endoscope.

Abstract: The present application relates to an electronic endoscope apparatus for forming a preferable static image by controlling blurring of an image at the time of picking up the image by using a variable-power mechanism. This endoscope emits stroboscopic light by a stroboscopic light emission circuit when a freeze button is pressed and sets a high shutter speed shorter than an exposure time for a dynamic image by an electronic shutter circuit. Moreover, observation distances can be changed by moving a movable lens through a variable-power motor section and a linear transmission member in accordance with operation of a variable-power switch. Therefore, a static image is formed trough short-time image pickup by strong illumination light and image blurring is eliminated which becomes remarkable in particular when the image is enlarged through variable-power operation.

Abstract: A field conversion system for rigid endoscopes has a rigid endoscope inserted into an object to form an optical image of the object and an imaging device connected to the rigid endoscope. The imaging device includes an imaging optical system for changing the magnification of the optical image to form a resultant image and an image sensor placed at the position of an imaging plane produced by the imaging optical system. A part or a whole of the imaging optical system or the image sensor is moved in a direction perpendicular to an optical system, thereby carrying out a field conversion. The field conversion system is provided with a time-division shutter mechanism placed close to a pupil position inside the imaging optical system so that two light beams at different positions in a pupil are switched time-dividedly and transmitted and the image sensor picks up time-dividedly left and right images with parallax.

Abstract: When a variable powers witch of an electroscope is operated, a motor is driven to move a movable lens, and an optically enlarged image can be obtained. Furthermore, the optical image is electrically enlarged by an electronically variable power circuit. When the optically variable power is switched into the electronically variable power and vice versa, the operation of the variable power switch can be temporarily nullified to stop the variable power operation, and the switch is operated again to resume the operation. Thus, an operator can recognize the switch between the optically variable power and the electronically variable power. Furthermore, a time lag for a predetermined time can be set to switch between the optically variable power and the electronically variable power.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope of the present invention includes a video-scope having an image sensor, a video-processor, to which a proximal end of the video-scope and a monitor are respectively connected, a character and mark generation controller, and an area-image changer. The character and mark generation controller generates character signals and indicator-mark signals, and then feeds the character signals and the indicator-mark signals to the monitor. The image-area changer changes a size of an image-area of the object image displayed on the screen of the monitor to another size, thus the object image is selectively displayed within one of plural image-areas on the screen in accordance with a size change of the image-area.

Abstract: A fixed lens of an optical objective lens system is fixedly retained on a support member which is provided in a rigid tip end section of an endoscopic insertion instrument, along with a movable lens or lenses which are movable toward and away from the fixed lens in the direction of optical axis of the objective lens system. A drive means for the movable lenses is coupled with the support member, while an image sensor means is located at the focus of the objective lens system. A guide means which guides the support member of an optical assembly in the direction of the optical axis is connected to the image sensor means. The support member is slid along the guide means to adjust the optical objective lens system into an in-focus position with respect to the image sensor means. After adjusting the position of the optical objective lens system, the support member is fixed to the guide means by the use of an optical assembly fixation means.

Abstract: The endomicroscope system includes an operation microscope and a flexible image transmission system and is distinguished by the fact that the flexible image transmission system ends in an imaging device (2), which is arranged between the objective lens (10) and the object plane of the operation microscope (1) and can be removed from the beam path.

Abstract: A movable lens is provided at the tip of an electroscope, and an optically enlarged image can be observed by moving the movable lens by a motor. A microcomputer measures the entire moving time from a far end to a near end of the movable lens, and the moving time is used as the variable power position information about the movable lens. The variable power position information is displayed by a meter display, etc. on a monitor. Thus, and encoder, etc. is not required.

Abstract: When a variable power switch of an electroscope is operated, a motor is driven to move a movable lens, and an optically enlarged image can be obtained. Furthermore, the optical image is electrically enlarged by an electronically variable power circuit. When the optically variable power is switched into the electronically variable power and vice versa, the operation of the variable power switch can be temporarily nullified to stop the variable power operation, and the switch is operated again to resume the operation. Thus, an operator can recognize the switch between the optically variable power and the electronically variable power. Furthermore, a time lag for a predetermined time can be set to switch between the optically variable power and the electronically variable power.

Abstract: This endoscope apparatus utilizes a phenomenon called “curvature of field” of a lens to satisfactorily bring a shape, into focus, of an object to be observed such as unevenness especially during enlargement in accordance with a shape of unevenness or the like of the object. For example, there is provided an objective lens group having two movable lenses, and variable-power is performed and field curvature characteristics are changed by moving these movable lenses. This change in the field curvature characteristics is performed by operating an image surface curving switch and driving the movable lenses through the use of an actuator or the like. Also, information on differences in height on the image central part to the peripheral part is operated from the amount of field curvature changed by the objective lens group to display the information on differences in height on the monitor.

Abstract: An objective optical system comprising, in order from the object side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power and a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, wherein the second lens unit is moved along an optical axis for changing a magnification. This objective optical system is configured to be compact and have favorable optical performance by adequately selecting an airspace between the first lens unit and the second lens unit as well as a power for the first lens unit.

Abstract: An endoscopic camera system includes zooming capability to non-mechanically enlarge images of internal features of a body during an endoscopic procedure. The system includes a scope for insertion into the body, a camera head coupled to the scope, and a camera control unit coupled to the camera head. Video image data of internal features of the body are acquired through the scope by the camera head and transmitted to the camera control unit, which generates video images for display on a monitor. The camera control unit includes zoom circuitry for digitally zooming the video images in real-time. Operation of the zoom circuitry may be controlled by manual input or by voice commands. Voice commands may be used to set and recall preset zoom views.

Abstract: A visual cervical inspection apparatus for visual inspection of a cervix has a housing having a cavity. The housing has a proximal viewing aperture located in a proximal end of the housing and a distal aperture at a distal end of the housing. A light source is attached to the housing and is adapted to illuminate the cervix with light sufficient to visibly enhance the definition between cancerous and healthy cervical tissue. Magnification optics are disposed within the cavity of the housing which provide for magnified viewing of the illuminated cervix. The visibly enhanced definition between cancerous and healthy cervical tissue can thus be more easily viewed by a user of the visual cervical inspection apparatus. Light emitting diodes of the appropriate light wavelength can be used to provide the necessary illumination of the cervix. Krypton, xenon or other similar bulbs may also be used when filtered to produce light of approximately between 480-580 nanometers.

Abstract: An improved adaptor for coupling a video camera to an endoscope, borescope, or the like includes a focusing mechanism and an independent zoom or magnification variation adjustment mechanism. The zoom mechanism will move two lens groups along an optical path simultaneously, but at different speeds. Each lens groups preferably includes a pair of lenses affixed together as a doublet. By controlling the position of the doublets relative to a pair of focusing lenses, the present adaptor provides an optically compensated zoom mechanism which allows changes in the magnification of the adaptor throughout a wide magnification range without having to refocus the adaptor.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope includes a charge coupled device and provides macro-zooming function. The endoscope comprises an imaging unit including a plurality of optical elements forming an optical system and a support and guide mechanism for supporting and/or guiding the optical elements. The optical elements include a fixed lens, movable lenses, and a CCD. The support and guide mechanism comprises a casing including inner and outer cylinders. The axis of the inner cylinder defines a reference axis. A cam cylinder is fitted over the inner cylinder and is guided for rotational movement with no axial movement. An axial slider is fitted over the cam cylinder and guided for axial movement with no rotational movement. The axial slider is driven for axial movement through a manipulating lever provided on a handpiece. First and second carriages are fitted in the inner cylinder and guided for axial movement with no rotational movement.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a shaft receiving at least a pair of the lens groups movable jointly to provide focusing of an image upon actuation of an adjusting wheel and adapted to be disengaged to have displacement of one of the pair of lens groups relative to the other lens group for adjusting a magnification of the image.

Abstract: A focus mechanism having an actuator positioned near the rear of a handheld piece and that allows a lens element to be moved with respect to a stationary image sensor to achieve a range of focus. When implemented as a manual focusing feature of an intraoral dental camera or handpiece, the focus mechanism allows greater control of focus as the user's hand that grasps the actuator (e.g., ring) is not in close proximity to the distal end of the camera which is inserted into the patient's mouth. Maintaining the image sensor stationary also helps increase system reliability. In a particular embodiment, a variable profile cam allows high precision focus with the camera inside the patient's mouth, while still allowing enough focus travel for capturing a head shot or an image of the patient's smile or face when the camera is moved outside the patient's mouth.

Abstract: An endoscope optics has a rigid and substantially tubular housing containing several optical components, the housing being sealed against entry into the housing of steam or water vapor from the ambient housing atmosphere. At least one of the optical components is displaceable. The housing has at least one deformable wall segment such as a membrane or bellows which, when deformed, drives an adjustment member engaging the displaceable optical component and adjusts the position of the optical component within the housing.

Abstract: An endoscope system having an endoscope, a scope holder holding the endoscope, a magnetic three-dimensional position sensor, and a TV monitor. The sensor detects the position of an object and generates data representing this position. According to the data, the view field of the endoscope is switched.

Abstract: A control system is provided for an endoscope of the type having an objective lens, a movable zoom lens, a movable solid state imaging device for picking up the image formed by said objective lens and transferred by said zoom lens, means for generating a visual display of the image seen by the objective lens, and control means for moving the zoom lens and the imaging device so as to assure that for each position occupied by the zoom lens the imaging device is positioned so that the its image-receiving surface is in the focal plane of the zoom lens. The system allows independent manual control of the zoom lens and imaging device by manually actuatable switches.

Abstract: A position-indicating video display system is provided for an endoscope of the type having an objective lens, a movable zoom lens, a movable solid state imaging device for picking up the image formed by said objective lens and transferred by said zoom lens, means for generating a visual display of the image seen by the objective lens, and control means for moving the zoom lens and the imaging device so as to assure that for each position occupied by the zoom lens the imaging device is positioned so that the its image-receiving surface is in the focal plane of the zoom lens. The position-indicating video display system comprises means for generating first and second movable markers indicative of the instantaneous positions of the zoom lens and the solid state imaging device along the optical axis, and additional limit markers indicative of the maximum and minimum limits of the travel paths of the zoom lens and the solid state imaging device.

Abstract: Optical systems for endoscopes, borescopes, dental scopes, and the like which are characterized by having three groups of lenses of positive optical power and an external entrance pupil. Typically, all three groups of lenses are displaced from the pupil and focal planes. As a consequence, the displaced groups take part in the image transfer as well as in the pupil transfer. The optical power requirements can thus be shifted from one group to another, distributing as well as reducing the overall power requirement. Moreover, the aberration correction can also be shared between these groups. The first group, which conventionally has the highest optical power, and consequently a large amount of aberrations to be corrected, can in this way transfer some of the optical aberration correction to the other groups. The sharing of the optical functions and aberration correction results in a fully integrated optical system.

Abstract: An endoscope having an objective lens, a zoom lens, a solid state imaging device for picking up the image formed by said objective lens and transferred by said zoom lens, and control means for moving the zoom lens and the imaging device so as to assure that for each position occupied by the zoom lens the imaging device is positioned so that the its image-receiving surface is in the focal plane of the zoom lens. The endoscope also comprises first and second motion-transmitting means for moving said zoom lens and said imaging device respectively along the optical axis of said objective lens, whereby the axial spacing between said zoom lens and said objective lens and also the axial spacing between said imaging device and said objective lens may be changed, and manually operable switch means for controlling movement of the zoom lens and the imaging device by said first and second motion transmitting means.

Abstract: Ophthalmologic apparatus includes a light source for obliquely directing light beams into an eye to be examined to illuminate a region of interest therein, a lens system for viewing the region of interest, an optical magnifier assembly for magnifying the viewed region of interest, and an image intensifier for intensifying the image of the viewed region of interest. The light source directs light into the eye from opposite sides thereof to intersect in the plane of the region of interest in the eye.

Abstract: A position-indicating video display system is provided for an endoscope of the type having an objective lens, a movable zoom lens, a movable solid state imaging device for picking up the image formed by said objective lens and transferred by said zoom lens, means for generating a visual display of the image seen by the objective lens, and control means for moving the zoom lens and the imaging device so as to assure that for each position occupied by the zoom lens the imaging device is positioned so that the its image-receiving surface is in the focal plane of the zoom lens. The position-indicating video display system comprises means for generating first and second movable markers indicative of the instantaneous positions of the zoom lens and the solid state imaging device along the optical axis, and additional limit markers indicative of the maximum and minimum limits of the travel paths of the zoom lens and the solid state imaging device.