Abstract: There is provided a medical image processing apparatus including: an association processing section configured to associate multiple medical captured images in which an observation target is imaged by each of multiple imaging devices including imaging devices in which one or both of an in-focus position and an in-focus range are different; and a compositing processing section configured to depth-composite each of a medical captured image for a right eye and a medical captured image for a left eye among the multiple medical captured images by using an associated other medical captured image.

Abstract: A device for capturing a stereoscopic image includes a first image sensor including a first light-sensitive layer for capturing a first image, a second image sensor including a second light-sensitive layer for capturing a second image, a first lens including a first image-side principal plane, which first lens images points lying in a first area sharply onto the first light-sensitive layer of the first image sensor, and a second lens including a second image-side principal plane, which second lens images points lying in a second area sharply onto the second light-sensitive layer of the second image sensor. The distance between the first image-side principal plane of the first lens and the first light-sensitive layer of the first image sensor and the distance between the second image-side principal plane of the second lens and the second light-sensitive layer of the second image sensor are different.

Abstract: Stereoscopic instruments for viewing stereoscopic images of objects at a range of magnifications are described. The stereoscopic instruments are arranged to provide an optical beam comprising light received from an object over a given angular range, and to split the optical beam into left and right optical beams each traversing a respective optical path. The left and right optical paths each transmit a sub-beam over a respective angular range, the respective angular ranges thereby defining a first angular relationship between the respective sub-beams. Each optical path comprises a first angle adjustment means for adjusting the first angular relationship. Some embodiments also include a means for transmitting images formed from the left and right sub-beams, the images having a second angular relationship related to a vergence angle at which a user's eyes view the object.

Abstract: The embodiments herein provide a dual objective stereomicroscope in which the two objectives are moved independent of each other along an angular axis by a mechanism to provide a stereoscopic image of an object. The microscope has two optical paths formed respectively with an objective lens, a primary mirror, a focusing mirror and an eye piece. The plane of the primary mirror is arranged normal to the plane of the objective lens. The focusing mirror is arranged in parallel to the primary mirror to reflect a beam of light received from the objective lens through the primary mirror to the eye piece. The primary mirror is moved synchronously with the movement of the objective lens.

Abstract: The surgical microscope system includes a first binocular microscope and a first display device. The first binocular microscope includes an objective lens, a first right ocular lens which provides a first image based on a light flux transmitted through the objective lens, and a first left ocular lens which provides a second image based on a light flux transmitted through the objective lens. The first display device can be disposed opposite to or in alignment with the first binocular microscope, and includes a first right-eye image display surface for displaying the first image and a first left-eye image display surface for displaying the second image. The first display device can be reversed about a horizontal axis extending in a direction along which the first right-eye image display surface and the first left-eye image display surface are located in alignment.

Abstract: A device and method for converting one stereoscopic format into another. A software-enabled matrix is used to set forth predefined relationships between one type of format as an input image and another type of format as an output image. The matrix can then be used as a look-up table that defines a correspondence between input pixels and output pixels for the desired format conversion.

Abstract: A stereoscopic imaging optical system having a function to adjust a stereo base, an imaging device that includes the stereoscopic imaging optical system, and a camera that includes the imaging device, are provided. The stereoscopic imaging optical system includes two imaging lens systems arranged in parallel, and two diaphragms arranged in the imaging lens systems, respectively. At least one of the diaphragms is decentered with respect to an optical axis to adjust the stereo base. Further, a condition (1.8?SBmax/(fT×tan(?T))?45, where SBmax is a maximum value of the stereo base, fT is a focal length of the optical system at a telephoto limit, and ?T is a half view angle (°) at the telephoto limit) is satisfied.

Abstract: A stereomicroscope has a rotary mirror to switch an optical path of a beam from an objective optical system between a normal optical path A and an image optical path B. Accordingly, a main operator D1 can keep his or her eyes on eyepieces 15 when switching an optical image through the normal optical path A and an electronic image through the image optical path B from one to another. A zooming optical system 10 is horizontally arranged in the normal optical path A and a high-magnification optical path C is formed on a horizontally outer side of the zooming optical system 10, to reduce a vertical dimension of a body of the microscope and secure a wide work space.

Abstract: A multi-mode optical fiber delivers light from a radiation source to a multi-focal confocal microscope with reasonable efficiency. A core diameter of the multi-mode fiber is selected such that an etendue of light emitted from the fiber is not substantially greater than a total etendue of light passing through a plurality of pinholes in a pinhole array of the multi-focal confocal microscope. The core diameter may be selected taking into account a specific optical geometry of the multi-focal confocal microscope, including pinhole diameter and focal lengths of relevant optical elements. For coherent radiation sources, phase randomization may be included. A multi-mode fiber enables the use of a variety of radiation sources and wavelengths in a multi-focal confocal microscope, since the coupling of the radiation source to the multi-mode fiber is less sensitive to mechanical and temperature influences than coupling the radiation source to a single mode fiber.

Abstract: Providing an imaging apparatus and a microscope capable of taking two-dimensional images of a sample at a plurality of observation positions different in the optical axis direction at the same time. The apparatus includes an image-forming lens 15 that forms images of a sample 4 on a plurality of image-forming places; an optical-path-dividing member 17, 18, 19 that divides an optical path from the same area in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the sample 4 so as to form the plurality of image-forming places; and an optical-path-length-changing member 27, 28, 29 that is provided on at least one optical path between the plurality of image-forming places and the imaging lens 15.

Abstract: A stereoscopic lens system for a stereo endoscope is disclosed, the stereoscopic lens system converting light propagated from an object and received at an objective end of the stereoscopic lens system to left and right optical images at an image plane end of the stereoscopic lens system. The system includes at least one linearly movable left optical element configured to selectably adjust the magnification and field of view of the left image in response to linear movement and at least one linearly movable right optical element configured to selectably adjust the magnification and field of view of the right image in response to linear movement. The at least one linearly movable left optical element and the at least one linearly movable right optical element are selectably movable in fixed relation to each other.

Abstract: A stereomicroscope of the Greenough type includes a first monocular microscope and a second monocular microscope, which define a first beam path and a second beam path, respectively, wherein the first and second microscopes are arranged at a convergence angle to one another and comprise magnification systems for producing equal magnifications which can be varied synchronously with one another. At least one optical element in the first microscope has a different optically effective diameter compared to at least one corresponding optical element in the second microscope.

Abstract: A medical stereo observation system includes a stereo imaging unit producing a first image for a left eye and a second image for a right eye that mutually have parallax and a stereo display unit capable of displaying stereoscopically the images produced by the stereo imaging unit. The stereo imaging unit has a first imaging optical system producing the first image for the left eye and a second imaging optical system producing the second image for the right eye, and focal positions of these imaging optical systems are located far away from the intersection of optical axes of the imaging optical systems, viewed from the stereo imaging unit. Whereby, a large-depth space can be comfortably observed in a wide range and a viewer can observe an observation object without bringing about a feeling of fatigue.

Abstract: A stereomicroscope of the telescope type includes a first beam path and a second beam path, wherein in the first beam path a first telescope system and in the second beam path a second telescope system are provided, wherein the magnifications of both telescope systems are equal and can be changed synchronously to each other, and wherein a common main objective is allocated to both beam paths. In order to increase the resolution without loss in depth of field, it is proposed that at least one optical element of the first telescope system has, compared to at least one corresponding optical element of the second telescope system, a different optically effective diameter.

Abstract: A stereomicroscope includes a first beam path and a second beam path, wherein in the first beam path a first telescope system is provided and in the second beam path a second telescope system is provided. An observation unit comprising a first and a second observation unit is also provided. At least one optical element of the first telescope system compared to at least one corresponding optical element of the second telescope system has a different optically effective diameter. Between the first telescope system and the second telescope system and the first and the second observation units a prism group is provided which can be moved in the beam path of the first telescope system with the larger diameter of the entrance pupil.

Abstract: A method capable of converting motion image data, which is captured in an ordinary way without intending to produce parallax image printed matter, to data that can be printed as parallax image printed matter is provided. The method includes the steps of specifying at least one frame as a reference frame from a plurality of frames constituting the motion image data, and setting a point-of-regard on an object in the reference frame, calculating an amount of movement of the point-of-regard using a relation between the point-of-regard in the reference frame and a point corresponding thereto in another frame, obtaining a motion compensation amount for each frame based on this amount of movement thereof, and executing a motion compensation processing for the motion image data based on the motion compensation amount, thereby converting the motion image data to parallax image data.

Abstract: A virtual input element image projection apparatus couples a suitable lens and an optical element to increase the diverging angle of a virtual input element image or generate a plurality of portions of the virtual input element image that are coupled to form the complete virtual input element image without reducing diffraction efficiency. The projection distance for generating the virtual input element image may also be shortened.

Abstract: A surgical microscope system is disclosed. The surgical microscope is comprised of a stand which is comprised of a movable base and a support capable of free motion with keeping a particular orientation relative to the movable base; a stereoscopic surgical microscope linked with the support, which is comprised of a pair of first optical systems so as to provide a first stereoscopic magnified view; and a stereoscopic display device having a movable link with the stand, which is comprised of a display screen for displaying stereoscopic image taken by the first optical systems and a pair of second optical systems as to show the stereoscopic image as a second stereoscopic magnified view.

Abstract: A stereo-examination system for imaging an object 8 is proposed, comprising an objective arrangement 3 having an optical axis 5 and an object plane 7 for positioning the object 8 to be imaged, wherein the objective arrangement 3 receives an object-side beam bundle 11 emanating from the object plane 7 into a solid angle region 9 and converts the same into an image-side beam bundle 13, a selection arrangement for selecting at least a pair of partial beam bundles 19, 20 from the image-side beam bundle 13, and an image transmission apparatus 51, 52 for generating a representation of images of the object 8 provided by the partial beam bundles 19, 20.

Abstract: Binocular luminous fluxes are formed by an objective lens and a pair of relay lenses and go through a splitting optical system, which allows an assistant to observe the same stereoscopic view as the surgeon by using an assistant's binocular eyepiece optical system at a location across from the surgeon via a splitting optical system. Part of at least one of the binocular luminous fluxes is incident on a pupil splitting optical system, forming a binocular luminous flux that has undergone pupil splitting, which allows stereoscopic observation by pupil splitting even when the assistant's binocular eyepiece optical system is rotated to the surgeon's side.

Abstract: A method of calibrating the magnification of a stereomicroscope having variable magnification comprises the steps of (A) positioning an object reference measure (10) with a known scaling in an object plane (8) of the stereomicroscope; (B) providing an eyepiece reference measure (6a) of known scaling in an intermediate image plane (7) of the stereomicroscope; (C) varying the magnification of the stereomicroscope using a zoom system (4) thereof so that an image of the object reference measure (10) is brought into optical alignment (coincidence) with the eyepiece reference measure (6a) in the intermediate image plane (7) in order to determine a zoom position of the zoom system (4) corresponding to this alignment; (D) determining an actual magnification of the stereomicroscope in the zoom position on the basis of a lateral magnification defined by the scalings of the object reference measure (10) and eyepiece reference measure (6a) which have been brought into alignment; (E) determining a nominal magnification of

Abstract: An arrangement for generating a stereoscopic image of an object for viewing by an observer includes an imaging optic for imaging the object and defining an imaging beam path as well as an entry pupil and an exit pupil. Illuminating optics illuminate the object by providing an imaging beam coming from the object and passing through the imaging optic and along the imaging beam path. The imaging beam is sectioned in the imaging beam path into two component beams at one of the following locations: in the exit pupil, near the exit pupil or at a position along the imaging beam path which is optically conjugated to the exit pupil, thereby forming stereoscopic sectioned images. The stereoscopic section images are allocated in a clocked manner to the left and the right eyes of the observer. The invention is also directed to a method of generating a stereoscopic image of the object.

Abstract: A light microscope illuminator with a light source off the conjugate objective aperture allowing light beam shaping and modifying devices to be located at the conjugate objective aperture.

Abstract: A stereoscopic microscope includes an objective optical system by which a portion to be observed is observed, a lens body which holds the objective optical system, an optical splitter which is disposed in the lens body to divide a luminous flux passed through the objective optical system into at least two, an image forming device which is disposed on at least one optical path of the luminous fluxes divided by the optical splitter to form an observation image by the luminous fluxes, and a support section which opens at least a part of the optical path of the luminous flux to the image forming device from the optical splitter to the outside of the lens body to hold the image forming device.

Abstract: Stereomicroscope having an objective (6) and a zoom system (8) downstream of the objective, the optical axis (6a) of the objective forming an angle with an axis (9) of the zoom system (8), and a plurality of deflector elements (10, 12a to 12e) by means of which at least one observation beam emerging from the objective (6) can be guided into the zoom system (8), and at least one observation beam emerging from the zoom system (8) can be guided at least on to another axis (15) extending substantially parallel to the axis (9) of the zoom system (8), while on the axis (9) of the zoom system (8) and/or on the minimum of one axis (15) extending substantially parallel thereto, there is provided at least one optical element (19) for extending the beam path of the at least one observation beam along the optical axis (9) of the zoom system (8) and/ or the at least one axis (15) parallel thereto.

Abstract: A stereo endoscope having right and left optical systems for stereoscopic observation which form the right and left images, respectively. The stereo endoscope further including a third optical system which has a wider field of view and a smaller maximum lens diameter than the right and left optical systems.

Abstract: A 3-D viewing system is disclosed that enables multiple operators to share a common objective element while readily adjusting the orientation of images that are displayed to one or more moveable display units. The orientation of images that are displayed at a movable display unit can be made to automatically depend on the position/orientation of the display unit. Thus greater freedom in viewing postures is provided than previously available in 3-D viewing systems that share a common objective element, and each operator may view a 3-D image with proper perspective for his position/orientation. In order to reduce the number of optical components, the need to adjust optical components, and reduce costs, images from at least two different optical perspectives may be time-division multiplexed onto a single optical detecting device.

Abstract: A stereo microscope comprises: a main objective; a main observation output configured so that a left-hand beam path and a right-hand beam path are formed between the main objective and the main observation output; at least one input reflection beam splitter in each of the left-hand and right-hand beam paths configured to reflect additional information into its corresponding beam path; at least one output reflection beam splitter in at least one of the left-hand and right-hand beam paths; at least one first switchable shutter associated with at least one of the left-hand and right-hand beam paths, located in front of a corresponding input reflection beam splitter; and at least one second switchable shutter associated with at least one of the left-hand and right-hand beam paths, located between the main observation output and a corresponding output reflection beam splitter.

Abstract: An arrangement for generating a stereoscopic image of an object for viewing by an observer includes an imaging optic for imaging the object and defining an imaging beam path as well as an entry pupil and an exit pupil. Illuminating optics illuminate the object by providing an imaging beam coming from the object and passing through the imaging optic and along the imaging beam path. The imaging beam is sectioned in the imaging beam path into two component beams at one of the following locations: in the exit pupil, near the exit pupil or at a position along the imaging beam path which is optically conjugated to the exit pupil, thereby forming stereoscopic sectioned images. The stereoscopic section images are allocated in a clocked manner to the left and the right eyes of the observer.

Abstract: A stereoscopic microscope comprising a uniaxial optical system consisting of an objective lens system and a vari-focal optical system which is coaxial with the objective lens system, and at least a pair of observation optical systems, wherein right and left optical axes of the observation optical systems pass through locations different from that of an optical axis of the uniaxial optical system and wherein the uniaxial optical system comprises a positive lens component made of an extraordinary dispersive optical material.

Abstract: An adapter lens for a Greenough-type stereomicroscope (SM1), the adapter comprising a negative lens group (4) and a positive lens group (5) along an optical axis (AX3). The adapter lens attaches to the objective lens side of the Greenough-type stereomicroscope. Variation of the distance (D54L, D54H) between the positive and the negative lens group allows an operator of the stereomicroscope to position the eye pieces (8 and 8′) of the stereomicroscope to a comfortable height for ease of use.

Abstract: A three-dimensional video signal is generated by an objective lens, a stereo lens optical system, such as a stereo doublet lens for example, one or more image-to-signal converters, and a multiplexer. A three-dimensional monitor or two head mounted monitors may be used to render (e.g., display) the three dimensional video signal.

Abstract: A system operative with photon tunneling microscopy presents an image on a two-dimensional display which is perceived as a three-dimensional presentation by a person viewing the display. An optical image of the subject produced by the microscope is scanned by means of a television vidicon which converts the optical signal to an electric signal representing depth of a surface feature. The electric signal is outputted to the display wherein the image is presented as a set of line scans parallel to the horizontal axis of the display, and wherein the magnitude of the electric signal is plotted on the vertical axis of the display. A variable delay is introduced to be either increased or decreased stepwise between successive ones of the line scans. This results in a tilting of the presentation to the right or the left. Two tilted views are presented simultaneously, one to one eye and one to the other eye of an observer, to give a perception of a three-dimensional view.

Abstract: An exchangeable condenser system for a phase-contrast illuminating system (12) for microscopes has a plurality of different light rings (5), arranged on a nosepiece plate (4), assigned to the condenser optical system (6). The condenser optical system (6) can be exchanged independently of the light rings (5), the focal lengths F.sub.n of the exchangeable condenser optical systems (6) being selected relative to one another in the ratio F.sub.n =F.sub.0 *X.sup.n and the average diameters D.sub.n of the light rings (5) being selected relative to one another in the ratio D.sub.n =D.sub.0 *X.sup.n, where X>0, n=0,1,2,3, . . . .

Abstract: A stereoscopic-vision endoscope having an objective optical system consisting of a front optical system having a single optical axis including a field conversion optical system, and a rear optical system including optical systems that have a plurality of optical axes. A light beam is received from the front optical system so as to form images on the optical axes, and thus form a plurality of images. The front and rear optical systems can be turned relative to each other. Thus, a magnitude of parallax permitting a sufficient sense of three-dimensionality can be provided, and the postures of images can be corrected responsively to a change in direction of view resulting from the rotation of an insertional part.

Abstract: A confocal optical apparatus comprising a light source, a first aperture portion for passing light emitted from the light source and obtaining a point source, an objective lens for causing the light that has passed through the first aperture portion to converge on a measurement object, a second aperture portion located on a plane conjugate with the convergence surface on the measurement object, and light detectors for detecting light that has passed through the second aperture portion, wherein placing the first and second aperture portions in the same position and using them as the same aperture portion, as well as positioning the detection surfaces of the light detectors substantially on the same surfaces as the conjointly used identical aperture portions make it possible to reduce the size and weight of the apparatus, to perform three-dimensional shape measurements rapidly and accurately, and to facilitate the alignment of each portion.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is disclosed which is integrally provided with two image pickup systems for respectively converting subject light into image signals and two displays for respectively displaying images relative to the image signals obtained by the two image pickup systems. In the disclosed imaging apparatus, since the operations of the two image pickup systems are synchronized, it is not necessary to insert an element, such as a prism, in each optical path. Further, since a common signal processing circuit is provided for performing predetermined processing of the image signals outputted from the two image pickup systems, the size of the imaging apparatus is reduced.

Abstract: A stereoscopic endoscope comprises an objective lens array having one optical axis, a relay lens array for transmitting an object image produced by the objective lens array, a pupil split element that is located at an entrance pupil position of the relay lens array; that is, a position at which the relay lens array forms an entrance pupil, a position near the entrance pupil position, or a position conjugate with those positions, and that splits an entrance pupil formed by the relay lens array into a plurality of portions, an image formation optical system that receives a beam emanating from the relay lens array and forms a plurality of object images in cooperation with the pupil split element, and imaging devices for receiving the object images.

Abstract: A stereomicroscope includes an objective optical system, a variable magnification optical system, and a plurality of imaging optical systems, in which the plurality of imaging optical systems can be moved in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the variable magnification optical system. Thus, the stereomicroscope has the advantage that where one of two observers wishes to observe a brighter image, the amount of light can be adjusted, without replacement of a light source, by moving the imaging optical systems.

Abstract: A light microscope with lenses projecting the rear aperture of an objective lens at a location remote from the objective lens enhancing high power stereoscopic viewing and photographing with a binocular (two eyepiece) viewing system and when combined with an iris in close proximity to the projected image of the rear aperture of the objective lens, controls flare.

Abstract: In an insertable accessory module for a stereo microscope, in particular an operation microscope, two optical elements are pivotably arranged in the parallel observation beam paths after the main objective. A continuous variation of the stereo angle is possible by pivoting about two pivot shafts that are oriented perpendicular to the observation beam paths.

Abstract: The rugged filter/switch cavity includes at least a two section low thermal expansion glass tubular frame, each section with a highly polished edge for abutting engagement and rigid gripping by electrostatic attraction to maintain the cavity integrity. Each frame section supports a multi-layer low loss thin film mirror in opposing relation to define the cavity gap. One mirror is fixed in the first section and the other mirror is carried by a diaphragm portion of the other section for axial movement toward and away from the first mirror to tune the cavity to different frequencies. Coaxially aligned optical fibers, affixed to each section by flexible epoxy, guide light from a broadband source including, one or more signals, into the first section, through the first mirror and back and forth between mirrors until the cavity is resonant to a signal to be selected which signal then exits the cavity via the second mirror and the other optical fiber.

Abstract: A stereomicroscope for comparing photographs is disclosed. The microscope includes a pair of complementary occluders with one occluder positioned in an intermediate image plane of each side of the stereo optical system, which also includes a conventional image rotator and zoom system to permit independent adjustment of the orientation and size of each image. The complementary occluders accentuate small differences between nearly identical photographs by providing a border at which an object present in only one photograph will appear or disappear as the two photographs are simultaneously scanned.

Abstract: A film accumulator having a fixed set of rollers and a moveable set of rollers to provide a serpentine path for accumulating film during photo interpretation is disclosed. The accumulator permits a substantially planer path for loading when the moveable rollers are located below the fixed rollers and a serpentine path for accumulating film when the moveable rollers are above the fixed rollers.