Abstract: An arthroscope includes an frame member, an illumination system and a light guide connection port associated with the frame member for connecting to a light guide to transfer illumination light to the illumination system. The light guide connection port includes a support member having a tapered inner wall portion for supporting a transmissive element having a tapered portion. The support member includes a plurality of inner mounting projections extending from the tapered inner wall portion and being radially arranged and positioned to contact the outer surface of the light transmissive element to maintain the light transmissive element in spaced relation relative to the tapered inner wall portion.

Abstract: 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 endoseopic apparatus 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.

Abstract: A relay lens system to be incorporated in an endoscopic optical assembly is provided. The relay lens system includes at least one relay lens module for relaying an image between successive image planes. The relay lens module consists of two identical optical assemblies arranged in bilateral symmetrical relation relative to a median plane disposed between the two assemblies. Each optical assembly includes a glass plano cylinder and first and second curved lens components attached to each end of the plano cylinder. The lenses forming the lens components are fabricated from different optical materials including polymeric materials to correct aberrations within the system. The physical and geometrical characteristics of the components are selected to effectively transfer a bright image to the viewer.

Abstract: A method for forming an arthroscope having an inclined angle of view includes providing an inner lens tube member, an outer tube member, and an annular shim member. The annular shim member is positioned about an outer peripheral portion of the inner lens tube member and includes an upper portion defining an outer positioning surface and side edges angularly offset relative to an optical axis. The inner lens tube member and annular shim member are positioned within the outer tube member while a plurality of optical fibers are positioned therebetween. The optical fibers are oriented about the outer positioning surface and side edges such that the optical fibers are angularly offset relative to the optical axis. Alternatively, a shim member may be provided that is arcuate and defines a cross-sectional dimension approximating a maximum inner dimension of the outer tube member, wherein the shim member engages the outer tube member to stabilize the inner lens tube member therein.

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 oriented by a shim member to emit light in the general direction of the inclined field of view to sufficiently illuminate the surgical field. The shim member includes opposed side edges that are angularly oriented relative to the optical axis and a proximal end portion extending along an inner periphery of the outer tube member to define a major cross-sectional dimension approximating a maximum inner dimension of the outer tube member.

Abstract: An optical system to be incorporated in endoscopic instrumentation is provided. The optical system includes objective lens, relay lens and eye lens assemblies. The objective and eye lens assemblies are comprised of a plurality of axially aligned polymeric lenses. The relay lens assembly includes at least one relay lens module for transferring an image between successive image planes. The relay lens module consists of two identical optical assemblies arranged in bilateral symmetrical relation relative to a median plane. Each optical assembly includes a glass plano cylinder and polymeric curved lenses. The physical and geometrical characteristics of the components are selected to effectively transfer a bright image to the viewer.

Abstract: An optical system for an endoscope is disclosed as having a direction of view at an angle to its axis, and which transmits in full color contrast two-dimensional optical images from an object plane to a final image plane. The optical system comprises a first light relaying system, a fiber optic assembly and a second light relaying system. The first light relaying system includes objective lenses positioned to focus light rays from an object at the entrance of the fiber optic assembly. The first light relaying means also includes a prism for dispersing the light from the object and for providing a direction of view at an angle of 30 to 60 degrees with respect to the axis of the system. The second light relaying system comprises lenses which are focused upon the exit end of the fiber optical assembly and are arranged to form an image of light rays transmitted thereby at a final image plane.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided with an objective lens system, an ocular lens and an intermediate relay lens system. The relay lens system is a hybrid system using both plastic and glass elements. The plastic elements comprise an even plurality (N) of axially aligned lenses each having a length of the same order as its diameter. Intermediate said plastic lenses are a plurality (N minus 1) of axially aligned glass plano cylinder, the end faces of which are polished.

Abstract: An optical system and method is disclosed for substantially correcting an image transmitted through at least one gradient index lens for chromatic aberration by means of a homogeneous lens affixed thereto. In preferred embodiments, at least one of the gradient index lenses is a relay lens. The length of the relay lens is varied about an integral number of half periods and the homogeneous lens has a positive or negative curvature, depending upon the nature of the correction required. A method of determining the curvature of the homogeneous lens and the length of the relay lens for the desired degree of correction is also claimed.

Abstract: An optical system comprising at least two gradient index lenses further includes spacer means of substantially homogenous substance affixed therebetween to provide increased light throughput by substantial maximization of the optical invariant of the system.