Abstract: In an endoscope optical system comprising an inner tube accommodating the optical components of the system and an outer tube enclosing the inner tube, optical fibers are disposed in the chamber defined between the two tubes, for transmitting light to a site to be inspected by means of the endoscope. For uniform illumination of the site to provide images to satisfactory quality, coaxial or paraxial arrangement of the inner tube within the outer tube is achieved by bridging the chamber by means of webs extending longitudinally of the tubes, the optical fibers being accommodated in sub-chambers defined between the webs.

Abstract: A biconvex rod lens for the optics assembly of a medical or technical endoscope comprises of a light transmitting rod and a correcting lens cemented to one end of the rod. The rod is provided with at least one cylindrical collar which is of greater diameter than the adjacent lengths of the rod, for supporting the rod lens on the inner surface of an internal tube in the shaft of the optics assembly. In order to avoid shear forces arising in the cemented joint between the rod and the correcting lens when the shaft and thus the tube are bent when the endoscope is in use, the correcting lens and the rod have, in the region of the cemented joint, a smaller diameter than the cylindrical collar or collars. Fracture of the rod lens is there by avoided.

Abstract: An objective for endoscopes with a lateral objective lens comprises an elongated prism having a convex proximal end surface and a distal end on which are joined by cementing after alignment on an optical axis, a diaphragm, a negative lens and optionally a wedge-shaped support, to form an indissoluble unit. The lens, the diaphragm and the support if present are provided with sections protruding radially beyond a desired periphery of the objective, which sections are ground off together to the dimension of the prism circumference, so that a rod-shaped objective unit is formed.