Abstract: A stereoscopic endoscope comprises a first lens train; a second lens train; a prism; and a continuous image sensor surface. The first lens train directs light along a first path through the first lens train and the prism to be incident on a first region of the continuous image sensor, and the second lens train directs light along a second path through the second lens train and the prism to be incident on a second region of the continuous image sensor.

Abstract: A stereoscopic endoscope includes at least one illumination source disposed at a distal end portion in a position to project light to illuminate an object. The endoscope also includes an image capture assembly mounted at the distal end portion. The assembly includes first and second lens trains extending proximally from the distal end portion. The assembly includes an image sensor having a surface with a right side image area and a left side image area. The sensor surface lies in a plane substantially parallel to a plane in which the first and second lens trains lie. The assembly includes at least one optical element disposed to intercept light passing through the first and second lens trains. The optical element is configured to direct light exiting the first lens train to the right side image area and to direct light exiting the second lens trains to the left side image area.

Abstract: A stereoscopic endoscope includes at least one illumination source disposed at a distal end portion in a position to project light to illuminate an object. The endoscope also includes an image capture assembly mounted at the distal end portion. The assembly includes first and second lens trains extending proximally from the distal end portion. The assembly includes an image sensor having a surface with a right side image area and a left side image area. The sensor surface lies in a plane substantially parallel to a plane in which the first and second lens trains lie. The assembly includes at least one optical element disposed to intercept light passing through the first and second lens trains. The optical element is configured to direct light exiting the first lens train to the right side image area and to direct light exiting the second lens trains to the left side image area.

Abstract: A visualization instrument comprising a camera including an optical train and an image sensor. The optical train includes at least one lens and may include a prism. Optical images received by the optical train are captured by the image sensor, which may be positioned adjacent the image sensor to reduce the profile of the camera.

Abstract: Two side-by-side optical paths transmit stereoscopic right side and left side images onto the surface of a single image sensing chip. The single image sensing chip may be placed at various orientations with respect to the lens trains in the optical paths. In some embodiments a single prism is used to turn the light for both the right side and left side images onto the single image sensing chip. In other embodiments one prism is used to turn the light for the right side image and another prism is used to turn the light for the left side image, and the reflective surfaces of the two prisms are substantially coplanar such that the right side and left side images are incident on the single image sensor chip.

Abstract: Two side-by-side optical paths transmit stereoscopic right side and left side images onto the surface of a single image sensing chip. The single image sensing chip may be placed at various orientations with respect to the lens trains in the optical paths. In some embodiments a single prism is used to turn the light for both the right side and left side images onto the single image sensing chip. In other embodiments one prism is used to turn the light for the right side image and another prism is used to turn the light for the left side image, and the reflective surfaces of the two prisms are substantially coplanar such that the right side and left side images are incident on the single image sensor chip.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an outer tube having a sharpened distal end and a retractable sleeve slidably disposed in the outer tube. An image conduit is attached to the distal end of the retractable sleeve for imaging any object in contact with the distal tip of the image conduit.

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.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an outer tube having a sharpened distal end and a retractable sleeve slidably disposed in the outer tube. An image conduit is attached to the distal end of the retractable sleeve for imaging any object in contact with the distal tip of the image conduit.

Abstract: An endoscopic illumination tester is provided for testing illumination quality of a lightsource. The endoscopic illumination tester includes an optical bridge that is removably interlockable with the lightsource. The endoscopic illumination tester includes an integrating sphere that is removably interlockable with the optical bridge. The endoscopic illumination tester may further engage a lightguide connectable between the optical bridge and the lightsource. An endoscope may be inserted between the optical bridge and the integrating sphere.

Abstract: Two side-by-side optical paths transmit stereoscopic right side and left side images onto the surface of a single image sensing chip. The single image sensing chip may be placed at various orientations with respect to the lens trains in the optical paths. In some embodiments a single prism is used to turn the light for both the right side and left side images onto the single image sensing chip. In other embodiments one prism is used to turn the light for the right side image and another prism is used to turn the light for the left side image, and the reflective surfaces of the two prisms are substantially coplanar such that the right side and left side images are incident on the single image sensor chip.

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.

Abstract: A lens system for a camera includes, in order from an object side, a distal lens having a convex surface and a concave surface, the convex surface being proximate the object side, a doublet lens in optical communication with the distal lens, and a bi-convex proximal lens in optical communication with the doublet lens. The doublet lens has a concave surface and a convex surface, with the convex surface of the doublet lens being proximate the convex surface of the distal lens.

Abstract: A camera that includes a camera head, an amplifier, and a camera control unit. The camera head includes a charge coupled device and at least one lens that is optically coupled to the charge coupled device to focus light energy onto the charge coupled device. The charge coupled device provides a plurality of signals indicative of the light energy incident upon a plurality of regions of the charge coupled device. The amplifier is electrically coupled to the charge coupled device to receive the plurality of signals from the charge coupled device and provide a plurality of amplified signals to the camera control unit, but, the amplifier is physically separated from the charge coupled device so that the amplifier is outside the camera head. The camera control unit is electrically coupled to the amplifier to receive the plurality of amplified signals from the amplifier and to process the plurality of amplified signals to form an image.

Abstract: A camera that includes a camera head, an amplifier, and a camera control unit. The camera head includes a charge coupled device and at least one lens that is optically coupled to the charge coupled device to focus light energy onto the charge coupled device. The charge coupled device provides a plurality of signals indicative of the light energy incident upon a plurality of regions of the charge coupled device. The amplifier is electrically coupled to the charge coupled device to receive the plurality of signals from the charge coupled device and provide a plurality of amplified signals to the camera control unit, but, the amplifier is physically separated from the charge coupled device so that the amplifier is outside the camera head. The camera control unit is electrically coupled to the amplifier to receive the plurality of amplified signals from the amplifier and to process the plurality of amplified signals to form an image.

Abstract: A disposable rigid arthroscope having an inclined angle of view includes a frame member, an outer tube member extending distally from the frame member, an inner lens tube member eccentrically disposed within the outer tube member, an optical system disposed within the inner lens tube member and having a mechanism for altering the field of view of the optical system with respect to the optical axis and an illumination system including a plurality of optical fibers. The optical fibers of the illumination system are assembled and oriented to emit light in the general direction of the inclined field of view to sufficiently illuminate the surgical field. The materials of the arthroscope are advantageously selected to minimize the overall cost of the scope while providing for high level optical performance.

Abstract: Endodiagnostic methods utilize differential thermal relaxation and IR and visible imaging to differentiate between normal and abnormal interior body structures and tissue. With the use of a separate or integrated visible endoscope, an interior body site to be examined is visualized and then the area of interest is flooded with a cooling liquid. Upon contact with the area of interest, an immediate cooling of the flush site takes place, thus providing a temperature differential of approximately 25 degrees Fahrenheit of the cooled site compared to surrounding body-temperature tissue. As the area warms back to the surrounding tissue temperature, abnormal areas can be visualized because their temperature warms at a different rate compared to normal structure or tissue. As time progresses the contrast between normal and abnormal reaches a maximum and then declines as both relax back to body temperature.

Abstract: Dual channel Endodiagnostic apparatus and methods by which infrared emissions within the range including 2 to 14 micrometers may be visualized in the form of encoded images to permit differential analysis. The endoscopic apparatus has an IR channel and a visible channel. The IR channel comprises a refractive objective lens for forming a real image of interior structure of interest, a relay system consisting solely of refracting elements for transferring the real image to an intermediate image plane conjugate to the objective image plane, and a refracting coupling lens for forming a final image of the intermediate image in a detector plane in which an IR detector sensitive in the range including 2 to 14 micrometers may be placed near the proximal end of the apparatus. The IR and visible channels are arranged to visualize substantially the same subject matter.

Abstract: Endodiagnostic apparatus and methods by which infrared emissions of 2 micrometers and above may be visualized in the form of encoded images to permit differential analysis. The endoscopic apparatus comprises a refractive objective lens for forming a real image of interior structure of interest, a relay system consisting solely of refractive elements for transferring the real image to an intermediate plane conjugate to the objective image plane, a refracting coupling lens for forming a final image of the intermediate image in a detector plane in which an IR detector sensitive in the range of 2 micrometers and greater may be placed near the proximal end of the apparatus, and a warm stop for ameliorating the effects of stray IR radiation in the system.