Abstract: An endoscopic coupler by which the rotary and/or linear motion of an external ring is transferred via magnetic interaction of specially configured continuous plastic magnets to a lens resident in a hermetically sealed housing to effect focusing and/or zooming action of the lens without mechanically breaching the integrity of the hermetic seal thereby making the coupler particularly suitable for withstanding the rigors of autoclaving.
Abstract: An endoscopic illumination tester is provided for testing illumination quality of a light source. The endoscopic illumination tester includes an optical bridge that is removably interlockable with the light source. The endoscopic illumination tester includes an integrating sphere that is removably interlockable with the optical bridge. The endoscopic illumination tester may further engage a light guide connectable between the optical bridge and the light source. An endoscope may be inserted between the optical bridge and the integrating sphere.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 16, 2007
Date of Patent:
October 18, 2011
Assignee:
Lighthouse Imaging Corporation
Inventors:
Dennis C. Leiner, Michael Bush, David J. Biolsi
Abstract: The invention uses optics and precision mechanisms to quantitatively assess the performance of medical endoscopes. By viewing standardized optical targets under well-controlled conditions, the optical quality of endoscopes can be easily determined in much the same fashion as getting one's eyes tested at the optometrist. The actual design, however, is much more complicated than your optometrist's eye chart and different types of endoscopes from different manufacturers require customization of the target geometry, the viewing distance, and the viewing angle. Also, there are several optical characteristics beyond image sharpness that need to be assessed, requiring other unique test geometries, including contrast, distortion, and vignetting. Clinically significant measurements are performed with simplicity and cost-effectiveness through the use of relatively inexpensive optical components and an embedded processor and graphical display system.