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 an elongated stage is removably secured to the housing so that the stage encompasses and is coaxial with the tube. The stage together with the lens tube are adapted for insertion into the cavity of a body. A lens assembly provided within the lens tube relays the optical image from the free end of the stage to the housing. A lens assembly within the housing, furthermore, varies the magnification of the image between macroscopic magnification and microscopic magnification in which tissue may be examined on a cellular level. For macroscopic magnification, white light is transmitted through the lens tube as well as reflected back from the target tissue through the lens tube and to the housing. For microscopic examination, laser radiation is utilized in lieu of the white light illumination.

Abstract: An endoscope illumination system for use with an endoscope having both a microscopic mode and a macroscopic mode. The illumination system includes a source of broadband light and includes a source of laser illumination, which may be infrared illumination. A circuit determines the mode of operation of the endoscope. This circuit activates the source of broadband light and deactivates the source of laser illumination when the endoscope is in its macroscopic mode. Conversely, the circuit deactivates the source of broadband light and activates the source of laser illumination when the endoscope is in the microscopic mode.

Abstract: An endoscope assembly includes a housing having an outwardly extending tube with the free end adapted for insertion into a body cavity. A laser is contained within the housing which emits an output beam through the free end of the tube. A light sensor detects light in a predetermined color range which impinges upon the free end of the tube and generates an output signal representative thereof. A circuit disables the laser in response to the output signal from the light sensor.

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 an elongated stage is removably secured to the housing so that the stage encompasses and is coaxial with the tube. The stage together with the lens tube are adapted for insertion into the cavity of a body. A lens assembly provided within the lens tube relays the optical image from the free end of the stage to the housing. A lens assembly within the housing, furthermore, varies the magnification of the image between macroscopic magnification and microscopic magnification in which tissue may be examined on a cellular level. For macroscopic magnification, white light is transmitted through the lens tube as well as reflected back from the target tissue through the lens tube and to the housing. For microscopic examination, laser radiation is utilized in lieu of the white light illumination.

Abstract: An endoscope assembly includes a housing having an outwardly extending tube with the free end adapted for insertion into a body cavity. A laser is contained within the housing which emits an output beam through the free end of the tube. A light sensor detects light in a predetermined color range which impinges upon the free end of the tube and generates an output signal representative thereof. A circuit disables the laser in response to the output signal from the light sensor.

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 an elongated stage is removably secured to the housing so that the stage encompasses and is coaxial with the tube. The stage together with the lens tube are adapted for insertion into the cavity of a body. A lens assembly provided within the lens tube relays the optical image from the free end of the stage to the housing. A lens assembly within the housing, furthermore, varies the magnification of the image between macroscopic magnification and microscopic magnification in which tissue may be examined on a cellular level. For macroscopic magnification, white light is transmitted through the lens tube as well as reflected back from the target tissue through the lens tube and to the housing. For microscopic examination, laser radiation is utilized in lieu of the white light illumination.

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 an elongated stage is removably secured to the housing so that the stage encompasses and is coaxial with the tube. The stage together with the lens tube are adapted for insertion into the cavity of a body. A lens assembly provided within the lens tube relays the optical image from the free end of the stage to the housing. A lens assembly within the housing, furthermore, varies the magnification of the image between macroscopic magnification and microscopic magnification in which tissue may be examined on a cellular level. For macroscopic magnification, white light is transmitted through the lens tube as well as reflected back from the target tissue through the lens tube and to the housing. For microscopic examination, laser radiation is utilized in lieu of the white light illumination.