Focusing Patents (Class 600/167)
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Patent number: 12004711Abstract: There is provided is an endoscope that can improve the cleanliness of a peripheral portion of an elevator. An endoscope (1) includes an insertion part (12) that is provided with a treatment tool insertion channel (82), a distal end portion main body (36), an elevator housing portion (62) that is provided in the distal end portion main body (36) and is open in a first direction, a treatment tool outlet (80) that is open to an inside of the elevator housing portion (62) and communicates with the treatment tool insertion channel (82), and an elevator (60). The elevator (60) has a first surface (64) and a second surface (66) inside a facing region facing the treatment tool outlet (80) in a state where the elevator is positioned at an elevated position.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2020Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Yasuhiko Morimoto, Tsuneo Fukuzawa
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Patent number: 11915826Abstract: An example device is configured to capture an image of a patient. The devices includes a camera configured to capture the image of the patient. The device further: captures contextual data associated with the image; allows a caregiver to select the image to be stored; forwards the image and the contextual data to a remote server for processing using artificial intelligence; and receives a proposed diagnosis from the remote server based upon the image and the contextual data.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2020Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.Inventors: John A. Lane, Chris R. Roberts, Thomas A. Gurgol, WonKyung McSweeney
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Patent number: 11712320Abstract: A surgical system for providing an improved video image of a surgical site including a system controller that receives and processes video images to determine a video signature corresponding to a condition that interferes with a quality of the video images, with the system controller interacting with a video enhancer to enhance the video images from a video capturing device to automatically control the video enhancer to enhance the video images. The surgical system can also review the video images for a trigger event and automatically begin or stop recording of the video images upon occurrence of the trigger event.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2018Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventors: Amit Mahadik, Jagadish Venkataraman, Ramanan Paramasivan, Brad Hunter, Afshin Jila, Kundan Krishna, Hannes Rau
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Patent number: 11241146Abstract: An endoscope includes a prism disposed in a distal end portion of an insertion section and configured to change a direction of a field of view in an upward, downward, leftward, or rightward direction, an operation lever disposed in an operation section, being turnable from a neutral position around a third axis and a fourth axis that are perpendicular to each other, and including a second longitudinal axis, a cylindrical member disposed such that turning around a fourth axis of the lever is transmitted and configured to turn around the fourth axis by inclining the operation lever, a transmission wire configured to transmit turning around a first axis to the prism in response to an inclination operation around the third axis of the lever, and gears configured to transmit turning around a second axis to the prism in response to a turning operation around the fourth axis.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2020Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventor: Takayoshi Hirono
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Patent number: 11102391Abstract: A medical image acquisition system includes an imaging device and an image processing device. The imaging device includes: an imaging unit configured to receive light and convert the light into an electric signal so as to generate the imaging signal; an optical unit including a focus mechanism moving one or a plurality of lenses so as to adjust a focal point position, and configured to form an optical image on the imaging unit; a memory configured to store therein unique information of the imaging device; and an auto focus controller configured to totally control the imaging device. The image processing device includes an auto focus evaluation unit configured to perform focusing evaluation based on the imaging signal, and the auto focus controller controls driving of the focus mechanism by referring to the unique information in accordance with an evaluation result by the auto focus evaluation unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2019Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: SONY OLYMPUS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS INC.Inventor: Takahiro Yamamoto
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Patent number: 10568521Abstract: An optical probe having a controlled viewing angle lens tip is provided that includes an elastomer lumen, where the elastomer lumen includes internal dividers disposed to separate the elastomer lumen into a plurality of channels, a lens that is sealably attached to a distal end of the elastomer lumen, where each channel is disposed to operate as an independent hydraulic channel, where an angle of the lens relative to a central axis of the elastomer lumen is positioned according to a state of pressure in each independent hydraulic channel, and a hydraulic generator, where the hydraulic generator is disposed to pressurize each hydraulic channel to a defined state as set by a computer input from a to computer.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2018Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Santa Clara UniversityInventors: Steven Kiyohiko Shiba, Christian Mariano, Eric Sabelman, Ismail Emre Araci
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Patent number: 10258373Abstract: Embodiments include a fiducial deployment system. A fiducial may include dimples to enhance echogenicity and/or to provide for engagement with a delivery cannula or stylet. The needle system may be configured to deliver a plurality of fiducials to a target location in serial fashion, one at a time, when the fiducials are coaxially disposed around a central deployment member that may be embodied as a delivery cannula or stylet. In certain embodiments, echogenic placement of fiducials may present certain advantages. An elongate structure may be included that is configured to distally advance fiducials along the deployment member.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2014Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLCInventors: Shay Lavelle, Paul Devereux, Michael Clancy
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Patent number: 10058231Abstract: A lighting structure includes: an optical transmission medium that transmits pumping light and image light; an objective optical system that is disposed at a distal-end portion of the optical transmission medium; a wavelength conversion unit comprising a fluorescent body that receives the pumping light transmitted through the optical transmission medium and irradiates an object with illuminating light; and a wavelength-selective reflective unit that selectively reflects one of a wavelength of the pumping light and a wavelength of the image light, thereby emits pumping light that is incident thereto through the optical transmission medium into the fluorescent body and emits image light that is incident from the object into the optical transmission medium through the objective optical system.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2013Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.Inventors: Kenichi Nakatate, Hitoe Iikura
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Patent number: 9910260Abstract: Combustion or steam turbine engines internal areas of interest are inspected by insertion of a foveated image optical head through internal passages within the engine. The foveated image optical head has a central first image portion having higher magnification and smaller field of view that is included within and subtended by a second image portion having a wider field of view and lower magnification. The foveated image optical head facilitates maneuvering the borescope optical head through the turbine engine with the wider field of view second image portion to areas of interest, then performing a more detailed inspection by viewing the higher magnification first image portion. The optical head lenses are in fixed positions, sharing a single, common optical path and a common electronic image sensor. This lens and detector arrangement facilitates construction of a compact optical head, allowing passage through small diameter engine inspection ports.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Erwan Baleine, David J. Meek
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Patent number: 9726861Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a variable focus lens containing graphene, a preparing method of the variable focus lens, a focus controlling method of the variable focus lens, and a display device including the variable focus lens.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2014Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignees: Graphene Square, Inc., SNU R&DB FoundationInventors: Byung Hee Hong, Jun Mo Kang
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Patent number: 9485405Abstract: A focus control device in an endoscope system, implements an autofocus operation in an appropriate state by setting a focus mode of an imaging optical system. The focus control device includes a focus control section that controls a focus of an imaging optical system that includes at least a zoom lens that adjusts an optical magnification, and sets a focus mode of the imaging optical system, and an image acquisition section that acquires an image through the imaging optical system, the focus mode including a fixed focus mode and an autofocus (AF) mode, and the focus control section switching the focus mode between the fixed focus mode and the AF mode corresponding to whether the zoom lens is positioned on a wide-angle side or a telescopic side relative to a reference point that is situated between a wide-angle end and a telescopic end.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2013Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventors: Koichiro Yoshino, Keiji Higuchi
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Patent number: 9444994Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is provided with: an objective optical system; an image pickup device; a contrast AF section adjusting a focus so that a peak value of a contrast evaluation value of an image is taken; an amount-of-motion detecting section detecting, from a plurality of time-series images, amounts of motion of the subject; and a control section controlling the contrast AF section so as to calculate another contrast evaluation value in a region where a region to be excluded where an amount of motion is equal to or larger than a threshold is excluded from a calculation target region, and the contrast AF section corrects the other contrast evaluation value based on an area of the calculation target region and an area of the region where the region to be excluded is excluded from the calculation target region.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2016Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventors: Kotaro Ogasawara, Yutaka Fujisawa, Takehide Fujimoto, Kiyotaka Kanno
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Patent number: 9433341Abstract: An endoscope and optical system for an endoscope having rod lenses and correction lens groups where the number of relay lens systems is greater than the number of correction lens groups in the endoscope and optical system of the endoscope.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2012Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc.Inventor: George E. Duckett, III
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Patent number: 9144368Abstract: An endoscope includes: an insertion portion; an operation portion provided on a proximal end side of the insertion portion, and including a first and a second sheath bodies; a fluid tube, a light guide fiber bundle, and a signal cable extended from a distal end portion and guided into an internal space of the operation portion; a main board provided in the internal space of the operation portion, wherein the fluid tube, the light guide fiber bundle, and the signal cable are provided on a surface of the main board; and an position regulating member attachable/detachable to/from a predetermined position of the main board, and in a state of being attached to the main board, regulates insertion states of the fluid tubes, the light guide fiber bundle, and the signal cable extended from the insertion portion toward the main board into a predetermined insertion state.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2013Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventor: Takafumi Kubo
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Patent number: 9011321Abstract: The invention relates to an ingestible capsule and method for in vivo imaging and/or treatment of one or more diseased areas of interest within the gastrointestinal tract of an animal or human being.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2014Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks, Michael Harald Kuhn, Thomas Zaengel, Nijs Cornelis Van Der Vaart
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Patent number: 8976468Abstract: Provided is an endoscope objective optical system 1 including, in order from an object side, a first lens 2 composed of a negative single lens, a second lens 3 composed of a positive single lens, an aperture stop 4, a third lens 5 composed of a positive single lens, and a fourth lens 6 composed of a positive combined lens, wherein the third lens 5 has a meniscus shape having a convex surface facing the image side. The endoscope objective optical system (1) satisfies the following conditions: 0.3<Df/f<1.15,??(1) n1<1.79,??(2) n2>n1,??(3) 0.6<IH/f<0.83,??(4) and |r1|?|r2|+d1>1.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2014Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.Inventors: Akari Kanazawa, Tsutomu Igarashi
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Publication number: 20150045622Abstract: Exemplary apparatus for obtaining information for a structure can be provided. For example, the exemplary apparatus can include at least one first optical fiber arrangement which is configured to transceive at least one first electro-magnetic radiation, and can include at least one fiber. The exemplary apparatus can also include at least one second focusing arrangement in optical communication with the optical fiber arrangement. The second arrangement can be configured to focus and provide there through the first electro-magnetic radiation to generate the focused electro-magnetic radiation. Further, the exemplary apparatus can include at least at least one dispersive third arrangement which can receive a particular radiation (e.g., the first electro-magnetic radiation(s) and/or the focused electro-magnetic radiation), and forward a dispersed radiation thereof to at least one section of the structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2014Publication date: February 12, 2015Inventors: Milen Shishkov, Guillermo J. Tearney, Brett Eugene Bouma, Dvir Yelin, Nicusor Iftimia
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Patent number: 8936546Abstract: An endoscopic image pickup unit includes: a first fixed lens frame which holds a first objective lens group; a second fixed lens frame which, being fitted over the first fixed lens frame, holds a second objective lens group; a movable lens frame which, being installed in the second fixed lens frame so as to be able to move forward and backward along a photographic optical axis, holds a movable lens; and a deformation preventing member which, being interposed between a distal end body and the second fixed lens frame, prevents the second fixed lens frame from being deformed by fixing force of the fixing member when the endoscopic image pickup unit is fixed to the distal end body.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.Inventor: Toru Kuchimaru
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Publication number: 20140221753Abstract: An apparatus for imaging an anatomical structure(s) can be provided. For example, a housing arrangement can have a shape of a pill and can be to be delivered to the anatomical structure(s). An imaging arrangement can be configured to generate a microscopic image of the anatomical structure(s), wherein the imaging arrangement can include a variable focus lens, and can be provided in the housing arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: The General Hospital CorporationInventors: Guillermo J. Tearney, Dongkyun Kang, Minkyu Kim
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Patent number: 8771176Abstract: The application relates to an ingestible capsule and method for in vivo imaging and/or treatment of one or more diseased areas of interest within the gastrointestinal tract of an animal or human being.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2007Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks, Michael Harald Kuhn, Thomas Zaengel, Nijs Cornelis Van Der Vaart
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Patent number: 8773765Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes an objective optical system mounted at a distal end portion of an endoscope, which is inserted into a tube cavity, and configured to form an image of an object in the tube cavity, the objective optical system including a focusing lens movable in an optical axis direction, a solid-state image pickup device for color image pickup configured to pick up the image formed by the objective optical system, a color separation filter being arranged for each pixel in the solid-state image pickup device, a focus adjusting mechanism configured to move the focusing lens and automatically adjust the objective optical system to a focus position in a focused state, a moving range switching section configured to perform switching of a moving range of the focusing lens, a moving range limiting section configured to limit the moving range in association with the switching by the moving range switching section, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2013Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.Inventor: Tsutomu Sasamoto
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Patent number: 8721533Abstract: An actuator has a magnet moved together with a moving lens frame, an SMA wire capable of extending and contracting in a moving direction I of the moving lens frame with execution or non-execution of energization thereof, a fixing member made of a magnetic material attached to a distal end of the SMA wire, a pressing spring which urges the fixing member toward the magnet along the moving direction I, and a stopper member and a stopper portion which limits the movement of the magnet along the moving direction I at a first position or a second position.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2012Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.Inventors: Seiji Iwasaki, Hiroshi Ishii, Tomohisa Takahashi, Hiroaki Kagawa
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Patent number: 8708891Abstract: A stereoscopic coupler for mechanically and optically coupling an endoscope to a portion of a camera, the stereoscopic coupler including means for mechanically and optically coupling the stereoscopic coupler to an endoscope; and means for mechanically and optically coupling the stereoscopic coupler to a portion of a camera; wherein the stereoscopic coupler includes a pair of optics; a mechanical actuator for operation by a user; and means for physically moving the pair of optics as a unit in response to movement of the mechanical actuator by the user.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2011Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Viking Systems, Inc.Inventors: Douglas Sjostrom, John E. Kennedy, Dennis Arsenault, Yuri Kazakevich
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Patent number: 8702597Abstract: A system, method and device for immobilizing an imager in-vivo and/or focusing images on the imager reflected from an in-vivo site to be monitored with for example a moveable or otherwise adjustable focusing mechanism. The imaging sensor may for example be positioned on an acute angle to an in-vivo surface to which the device is immobilized so that the device may for example image an in-vivo area that is opposed to such device. Sensors in addition to or other than an imaging sensor may be used.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2004Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Given Imaging Ltd.Inventor: Gavriel J. Iddan
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Publication number: 20130331647Abstract: Endoscopic device incorporating diode lasers for use in PDD, PDT and AF applications. Devices according to the invention do not require an external light source, bulb lamp, or light delivery cables. Multiple laser diodes and multiple wavelengths can be employed in continuous or pulsed applications for simultaneous multi-mode diagnostic readout or simultaneous diagnostic readout and treatment.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Inventor: Joseph R. Gingras
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Patent number: 8602979Abstract: A distal portion of an electronic endoscope is formed with a cutaway portion and a distal end surface. The distal portion is provided with side-viewing and front-viewing capturing optical systems. The side-viewing capturing optical system has a side-viewing objective lens, a prism with a half mirror surface, and a varifocal lens. Light incident on the half-mirror surface from the side-viewing objective lens is reflected to be incident on a CCD through the varifocal lens. Moving the varifocal lens allows the side-viewing capturing optical system to switch from normal observation to magnifying observation and vice versa. In the magnifying observation, a best focus position resides on an extension, of an outer circumferential surface of the distal portion, facing the cutaway portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2012Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Ryou Kitano
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Publication number: 20130253313Abstract: An autofocusing endoscope includes an objective lens, a relay optical system arranged to relay an image between the objective lens and a proximal end of the autofocusing endoscope, an optical fiber arranged with a distal end proximate the objective lens, a light source arranged to couple light into the optical fiber, an optical detection system arranged to receive and detect light from the optical fiber, and a data processor constructed to communicate with the optical detection system while in operation. The data processor is configured to determine a distance of a surface to be imaged through the objective lens and provide instructions for adjusting a focus of the autofocusing endoscope of the surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2011Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Jin Kang, Marcin Arkadiusz Balicki, Rajesh Kumar, Russell H. Taylor
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Patent number: 8487987Abstract: A camera adaptor (19) is provided for connecting a camera (21) to an interface (13) of a medical-optical observation instrument (1) with a parallel beam path. The interface (13) is situated in the parallel beam path (9a, 9b) of the medical-optical observation instrument (1). The camera adaptor (19) has an instrument connector part (41) for connection to the interface (13) of the medical-optical observation instrument (1) and a camera connector part (43, 143) for connection to a camera (21). The beam path (43) runs through the camera adaptor (19) along a linear optical axis. The camera adaptor (19) has an objective-lenses combination (47) with a total focal length between 40 mm and 120 mm. A lens with a positive partial focal length leading on the instrument side in the objective-lenses combination (47) and is followed, on the side toward the camera, by a lens with a negative partial focal length.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2010Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AGInventors: Stefan Schute, Artur Hoegele
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Patent number: 8485968Abstract: A rigid, rod-shaped endoscope for medical applications includes a distal end having a light-permeable distal window and a light outlet disposed adjacent to the distal window, which includes a device configured to prevent the incidence of stray light onto sides of the deflection prism facing the distal window. An endoscope shank includes a plurality of telescoping hollow tubes. An inner fixed optical tube includes a moveable optical deflection prism and an optical system configured to transmit light beams. The optical deflection prism is mounted rotatably on a shaft that is disposed at a right angle to a longitudinal axis of the endoscope. At least one moveable sliding tube is configured to move relative to the inner fixed optical tube in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the endoscope using magnetic forces generated by a plurality of moveable permanent magnets.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2012Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Sopro-Comeg GmbHInventors: Eugen Weimer, Hubert Czujack
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Patent number: 8469882Abstract: An otoscope includes an instrument head, a tip element and an optical system. The instrument head has a distal insertion portion for insertion into an ear of a human or veterinary subject. The distal insertion portion has a distal opening. The tip element is releasably attached to the distal insertion portion. The tip element has a distal opening. The optical system is contained within the instrument head. The optical system includes a plurality of optical components. The optical system further comprises a viewing component for viewing of an image of a target of interest aligned along an optical axis disposed within said distal opening.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2011Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.Inventors: Eric M. Andreassen, David M. Fallat, Ervin Goldfain, John R. Strom, John T. Delaney, Howard Haines, III, Corinn C. Fahrenkrug, Cynthia A. Kuiper
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Publication number: 20130137929Abstract: An endoscope system includes an imaging section that captures an object via an optical system and an image sensor, an observation state determination section that determines the observation state of the object captured by the imaging section, and an aperture control section that controls the state of an aperture included in the optical system based on the observation state, the aperture control section controlling the state of the aperture so that the resolution determined by the diffraction limit due to the aperture is equal to or higher than a resolution determined by the image sensor when the observation state determination section has determined that the observation state is a first observation state, and stopping down the aperture as compared with the state of the aperture in the first observation state when the observation state determination section has determined that the observation state is a second observation state.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2013Publication date: May 30, 2013Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventor: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
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Patent number: 8444548Abstract: An insertion unit has a channel through which a treatment tool can be inserted. A distal end of the insertion unit has a single-focus objective optical system or a focal-point-variable objective optical system to focus the optical image on a light receiving surface of an image capturing element. At a short object distance from the distal end, an image signal with a sufficient resolution is obtained from the image capturing element. In this state, a treatment tool projected by a reduced amount from a distal end opening of the channel is captured on a light receiving surface of the image capturing element. A required resolution is also provided for a far side.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.Inventor: Kazuhiro Kumei
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Patent number: 8394013Abstract: The present invention has a configuration that an observing portion observing an area to be examined and first and second illumination portions performing irradiation of illumination light are disposed on a distal end face of an insertion portion to be inserted into the area to be examined, and a first lens which is a distal end observation lens of an observation window of the observation portion is disposed at a position projecting to a distal end side beyond the distal end face. With the abovementioned configuration, an endoscope provided with an observation optical system of an object contact type performing contact observation to a live body where a sharp observation image can be obtained is provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2008Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.Inventor: Hironobu Ichimura
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Patent number: 8366609Abstract: An actuator has a magnet moved together with a moving lens frame, an SMA wire capable of extending and contracting in a moving direction I of the moving lens frame with execution or non-execution of energization thereof, a fixing member made of a magnetic material attached to a distal end of the SMA wire, a pressing spring which urges the fixing member toward the magnet along the moving direction I, and a stopper member and a stopper portion which limits the movement of the magnet along the moving direction I at a first position or a second position.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2008Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.Inventors: Seiji Iwasaki, Hiroshi Ishii, Tomohisa Takahashi, Hiroaki Kagawa
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Patent number: 8360966Abstract: A lens drive control apparatus of the present invention controls a lens drive system that has a lens frame that holds a lens so as to be movable forward and backward in an optical axis direction of an optical lens, and a transmitting member that transmits to the lens frame a driving force generated by a strain deformation of a shape memory alloy member that exhibits a predetermined hysteresis characteristic between a temperature and an amount of deformation. The lens drive control apparatus includes a control section that, at a timing at which an instruction that causes the lens frame to move forward or backward stops, performs control that changes a temperature of the shape memory alloy member to a temperature belonging to a dead zone of the predetermined hysteresis characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.Inventor: Toru Kuchimaru
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Patent number: 8360965Abstract: An endoscopic image pickup unit includes: a first fixed lens frame which holds a first objective lens group; a second fixed lens frame which, being fitted over the first fixed lens frame, holds a second objective lens group; a movable lens frame which, being installed in the second fixed lens frame so as to be able to move forward and backward along a photographic optical axis, holds a movable lens; and a deformation preventing member which, being interposed between a distal end body and the second fixed lens frame, prevents the second fixed lens frame from being deformed by fixing force of the fixing member when the endoscopic image pickup unit is fixed to the distal end body.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2009Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.Inventors: Toru Kuchimaru, Seiji Sakai
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Patent number: 8343042Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2006Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Lighthouse Imaging CorporationInventors: Dennis C. Leiner, Michael Bush
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Patent number: 8305486Abstract: An auto-focus camera has an optical system for forming an image of a target, a moveable sensor for recording a set of one or more images of the target, the set of one or more images corresponding to a set of one or more positions for the moveable sensor, and a linear piezoelectric actuator mechanically coupled to the moveable sensor for driving the moveable sensor to the set of one or more positions along a predetermined moving direction in response to a stimulus. A driving system is actuable to generate the stimulus to drive the piezoelectric actuator. An image processor, in response to stored instructions, obtains the set of one or more recorded images from the moveable sensor, processes the set of one or more obtained recoded images, and identifies the image that is in focus.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.Inventors: Yufeng Mo, Tan Wang, Zhaohua Liu
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Patent number: 8233075Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting a video imaging system that includes an auto-focus mechanism wherein an input from a user of the video imaging system invokes an auto-focus procedure. Responsive to the input, the auto-focus mechanism is scanned over a range of focal distance from a first setting to a second setting indicated by the input. A sequence of images using the video imaging system is captured while scanning the auto-focus mechanism over the range. The images in the sequence are processed so as to compute a measure of focal quality with respect to each of the images. The measure of the focal quality is analyzed so as to select an optimal focal distance, and the auto-focus mechanism is set to the selected focal distance.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2008Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.Inventors: Michael Lavrentiev, Stuart Wolf, Doron Adler, Albert M. Juergens, III
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Patent number: 8150092Abstract: An acoustic speaker module of a portable electronic device includes an acoustic housing, an acoustic speaker, a chip card and an elastic member. The acoustic housing has an accommodation space, a first opening and a second opening. The acoustic speaker is seamlessly connected with the first opening. The chip card is disposed at the second opening. The elastic member and the chip card are disposed at the second opening to make the accommodation space to form a hermetical space.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2009Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.Inventors: Ming-Shuo Huang, Chi-Cheng Liao, Cheng-Yu Lin
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Patent number: 8142351Abstract: An endoscope insertion portion includes an imaging unit including a distal end optical member arranged at a distal end portion of the imaging unit and a movable optical member configured to be moved relative to the distal end optical member, an actuator unit arranged in a position relative to the distal end optical member, configured to drive the movable optical member and including a shape memory member configured to deform according to temperature, and a heater unit including a heating member configured to heat the distal end optical member wherein the heater unit is arranged on one side opposite to other side on which the actuator unit is arranged and the heating member is configured to heat the distal end optical member from the one side to the other side, relative to the optical axis of the imaging unit, when viewing in the axial direction of the insertion portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2010Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.Inventors: Susumu Aono, Mitsutaka Kokubo
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Patent number: 8137264Abstract: An endoscope system includes a first endoscope that includes a first observation optical system with a first viewing angle; and a second endoscope that includes a second observation optical system with a second viewing angle wider than the first viewing angle. A second distance from a second distal end face of an insertion portion of the second endoscope to a minimum focal point of the second observation optical system is shorter than a first distance from a first distal end face of a distal end portion of the first endoscope to a minimum focal point of the first observation optical system.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2006Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventor: Hiroki Moriyama
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Patent number: 8094354Abstract: A scanning objective lens for scanning on an observation target with light emitted from an exit end face of an optical fiber moving on a curved plane formed to be convex on an objective lens side, including first and second lens groups each having a positive power, wherein the first lens group and the second lens group are arranged in this order from the optical fiber's exit end face side, and the scanning objective lens satisfies conditions: 0.60<f1/f2<1.25??(1); and 0.95<|R1a/R1b|<2.50??(2) when f1 denotes a focal length of the first lens group, f2 denotes a focal length of the second lens group, R1a denotes a curvature radius in the first lens group nearest to the exit end face of the optical fiber, and R1b denotes a curvature radius of a lens surface in the first lens group nearest to the observation target.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2010Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Hoya CorporationInventor: Minoru Murayama
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Patent number: 8075479Abstract: In a drive mechanism which displaces a movable lens to be displaced, a shape memory element which is displaced due to heating. A displaceable range of a movable lens is restricted between a first position and a second position. With the shape memory element in a heated state upon applying a predetermined amount of heat to the shape memory element, the movable lens is displaced to the first position, and when the shape memory element is not heated, the movable lens is displaced to the second position. During a normal observation, a time for which the movable lens is displaced to the second position is longer than a time for which the movable lens is displaced to the first position.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2007Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventor: Masaya Takahashi
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Patent number: 8066634Abstract: A digital otoscope for capturing live and still digital images of body tissue and having associated optical characteristics that improve the quality of visual information gathered for medical inspection of both human and veterinary subjects. The digital otoscope includes a tip element having dimensions that are small enough to fit into a small body cavity, such as an ear canal. The tip element and the otoscope enclose an assembly of optical components yielding optical characteristics that provide a substantially wide field of view and a substantially wide range of optimal focus from which to form visual information within a small and confined body cavity.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2007Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.Inventors: Eric M. Andreassen, David M. Fallat, Ervin Goldfain, John R. Strom, John T. Delaney, Howard Haines, III, Corinn Fahrenkrug, Cynthia A. Kuiper
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Patent number: 8052598Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating an endoscope includes an endoscope system configured to acquire a first calibration image at a first calibration focal length and determine a radius of a first calibration image boundary corresponding to the first calibration focal length for the first calibration image, wherein the radius of the first calibration image boundary corresponds to a first calibration magnification of the endoscope. A clinical image is acquired at a clinical focal length, wherein the first calibration focal length is different than the clinical focal length and a radius of a clinical image boundary corresponding to the clinical focal length for the clinical image is determined, wherein the radius of the clinical image boundary corresponds to a clinical magnification of the endoscope. The radius of the first calibration image boundary is compared to the radius of the clinical image boundary to determine a change in magnification of the endoscope.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2006Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Daniel E. Groszmann
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Patent number: 8033994Abstract: An endoscopic apparatus comprises: a movable lens that is movably built in an objective optical system arranged at an tip of an insert part of an endoscope; a piezoelectric-element drive mechanism that causes the movable lens to move forward and backward in an optical axis direction due to driving of a piezoelectric element; a control circuit that provides a drive pulse to the piezoelectric element; and a storage section that stores respective ones of drive-pulse count data for moving the movable lens forward and backward equally in amount, wherein the control circuit performs control of providing a drive-pulse count, different in between forward and backward movement, to the piezoelectric element of the piezoelectric-element drive mechanism so as to move the movable lens forward and backward equally in amount depending upon drive-pulse count data read out of the storage section.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2007Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Fujinon CorporationInventor: Eko Purwanto
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Patent number: 8016754Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes a front end section which is rigid, and a flexible tube which has a bent portion. One end of a tube which can be bent is fixed to a lens barrel which holds an optical mechanism having a movable section. The tube is extended in a longitudinal direction of the flexible tube of the endoscope apparatus, and at least a part of a shape memory element is accommodated inside the tube. One end of the shape memory element is fixed to an end of the tube, which is not fixed to the lens barrel, and the other end of the shape memory element is mechanically connected to the movable section of the optical mechanism which includes the movable section. Due to expansion (elongation) and contraction of the shape memory element, relative positions of the movable section of the optical mechanism which includes the movable section, and one end of the tube fixed to the lens barrel are changed.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2006Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventor: Masaya Takahashi
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Publication number: 20110077463Abstract: According to the optical probe of an aspect of the present invention, the flexible and optically transparent partition wall separates the imaging core lumen and the guidewire lumen, and the pressure increasing/decreasing port increases/decreases the pressure inside the imaging core lumen that is at a proximal part of the imaging core lumen. It is therefore possible to advance the probe along the guidewire as far as an affected area, and by pulling back the guidewire to a handle portion to push out the imaging core to the distal end portion, it is possible to observe a distal part and obtain an image without guidewire artifacts.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2010Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATIONInventor: Kazuhiro HIROTA
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Patent number: 7901352Abstract: An endoscope apparatus comprises: an insertion section including a distal end; a power changing movable lens that makes observational magnification variable, the power changing movable lens being movably built in an objective optical system provided at the distal end; a linear transmission member that drives the power changing movable lens, the linear transmission member being disposed from a drive section provided at a position other than the insertion section to the distal end; a focus adjusting movable lens that achieves automatic focusing function, the focus adjusting movable lens being movably built in the objective optical system separately from the power changing movable lens; and an actuator that drives the focus adjusting movable lens, the actuator being arranged in the distal end.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2005Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Fujinon CorporationInventor: Itsuji Minami