Abstract: A disposable endoscope having an object lens assembly, a relay lens assembly, and an imaging lens assembly with at least the relay lens assembly optical elements being made in whole or in part of molded glass lenses. the relay lens assembly preferably consists of molded glass curved surface lenses arranged in triplet lens configuration with ground or molded glass rod lenses disposed between the curved surface lenses. In preferred embodiments the positive lens elements of each triplet assembly may be bonded in optical contact with the rod lenses or the rod lenses may constitute molded glass lenses incorporating the positive lenses of each triplet. Optical components of the objective and imaging lens assemblies may be of molded or ground glass, and illumination may be conducted by glass or plastic fibers.

Abstract: An image transmission optical system wherein a lens unit serving for relaying an image for a unit relaying distance consists of two bar-shaped cemented lens components, and each of said lens components consists of a bar-shaped lens element and two lens elements which are cemented to both the end surfaces of said bar-shaped lens element respectively of said bar-shaped lens element and have a refractive index higher than that of said bar-shaped lens element. This image transmission optical system comprises a small number of air-contact surfaces and has favorably corrected aberrations.

Abstract: An optical device that can be sterilized by autoclaving or immersion. The optical device includes adjoined elements that essentially eliminate any air internal spaces along the optical path. A carrier for the optical elements and other elements of the optical device comprise metals and metal alloys that withstand the sterilizing environment. Vacuum port elements are provided to enable any liquids to be evacuated from the interstices of the optical device.

Abstract: Relay lenses for endoscopy include an axially symmetrical three-part optical component having a thin symmetrical negative element interposed between identical, substantially spherical outside elements; and an axially symmetrical five-part optical component in which the three-part component described above is disposed between two additional outer components.

Abstract: An endoscope relay lens is disclosed for transmitting an optical image along a narrow cylinder. Relay lenses are typically utilized in pairs to constitute a relay lens set and one or more sets are utilized in medical endoscopes. In the preferred embodiment, the relay lens includes two identical end lenses affixed to opposed ends of a center lens to define a cylinder. The relay lens is symmetrical about a plane bisecting the center of the center lens. The axial length of each end lens is equal to or greater than one-half its diameter. Optimal performance characteristics are achieved when the radii of curvature of the lenses and the axial lengths of the lenses cooperate so that the distance from an object being viewed to the exterior surface of the end lens closest to the object is one-half the distance between relay lenses in a pair and one-half the distance between sets of relay lens pairs. In one embodiment the center lens is spherical.

Abstract: A technoscope for checking for damage, especially a crack, in a surface of a cavity in a technical component, is arranged not only to establish the area of damage but also to measure the depth of a damaged area. To this end, the technoscope has a measuring attachment comprising a measuring probe with two electrodes for straddling the damaged area, and being supported in the cavity by a support element. The depth of the damaged area is measured by means of a depth measuring instrument sensitive to the disturbance of current flow between the electrodes, and the potential difference resulting therefrom.