Magnifying Patents (Class 600/168)
  • Patent number: 11883004
    Abstract: A multi-focal, multi-camera endoscope having a tip section including a first optical assembly for generating a first image of a body cavity; a second optical assembly for generating a second image of a body cavity; at least one illuminator associated with each of the first optical assembly and second optical assembly; and a processing system configured to: zoom the first optical assembly and thereby generate a zoomed first image in place of the first image; and automatically cause a physical display to eliminate a display of the second image and to only display said zoomed first image. To eliminate the display of the second image, the processing system reduces a power supply to the second optical assembly, reduces an illumination intensity of an illuminator associated with the second optical assembly or causes the physical display to power off, darken, or blacken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: EndoChoice, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Levin, Golan Salman, Idan Levy, Uri David
  • Patent number: 11871906
    Abstract: An endoscope system includes: an illumination portion that includes a light source and that is configured to radiate an illumination light beam having a spatially nonuniform intensity distribution onto an imaging subject; a first imager and a second imager disposed at positions that are different from each other and configured to respectively acquire a first illumination image and a second illumination image of the imaging subject being illuminated with the illumination light beam; and at least one processor configured to: create a first deep-layer image and a first surface-layer image from the first illumination image and create a second deep-layer image and a second surface-layer image from the second illumination image; and create a combined deep-layer image by combining the first deep-layer image and the second deep-layer image on the basis of pixel values of the first and second surface-layer images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koji Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11464393
    Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes a light source apparatus, an image processing circuit configured to subject a first image or a second image obtained by irradiating first or second narrow band light to predetermined image processing and output the image, and a control circuit configured to perform control to acquire signal intensity information about a signal intensity of the image pickup signal outputted from the image pickup device in response to irradiation with the first narrow band light based on a current operation state of a light source configured to generate first narrow band light and further maintain a ratio of respective brightnesses of the first image and the second image used for generating the observation image to be a predetermined ratio based on the signal intensity information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jumpei Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11184511
    Abstract: An optical unit includes a movable body including an optical module, a fixed body configured to displaceable hold the movable body, and a support mechanism including a gimbal frame configured to rotatably support the movable body with respect to the fixed body around a first axial line intersecting with an optical axis direction of the optical module. The support mechanism rotatably supports the movable body, to the fixed body via a first support unit, around the first axial line. The first support unit includes a first rod-like support member fixed to one of the fixed body and the gimbal frame, and a first contact unit being provided in the other of the fixed body and the gimbal frame and contacting the first rod-like support member. The first rod-like support member includes a first leading end, the first leading end contacting and being elastically pressed against the first contact unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinji Minamisawa
  • Patent number: 11170498
    Abstract: An endoscope system includes an endoscope and an image processing device attached to one another. The image processing device includes at least one processor configured to perform operations of determining an operator's action based on an action signal from an endoscope inserted into a subject body, deciding whether an image is set as a detection target image based on the operator's action and detecting a specific region from the detection target image. The processor performs an operation of determining whether the operator's action at a time of capturing the image is a treatment action to give the subject body a treatment. Furthermore, the processor detects, from the image, a region, which exhibits a specular reflection and whose time change in area and position is large, as a washed region and then determine the operator's action at the time of capturing the image is the treatment action when the washed region is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Kono, Yamato Kanda
  • Patent number: 10868964
    Abstract: An optical observation system (1) according to the invention comprises an optical observation apparatus, more particularly an endoscope or an exoscope (2), comprising an imaging optical unit and an electronic image recorder, wherein the imaging optical unit is embodied to image an object field (3) on the electronic image recorder with an alterable imaging scale and the electronic image recorder is embodied to produce recorded image data of the object field (3), an image display apparatus for presenting at least a section of the object field (3) and an image processing apparatus (20), which is configured to produce display image data by scaling the recorded image data with an alterable scaling factor and to actuate the image display apparatus with the display image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: KARL STORZ SE & CO. KG
    Inventor: Benedikt Köhler
  • Patent number: 10441137
    Abstract: To provide an image pickup unit that can prevent axis deviation of a movable lens barrel and obtain high-quality picked-up image, a stopper member is positioned and fixed in a state in which the stopper member is abutted against an outer circumferential surface of a rear group lens barrel, movement of a movable lens barrel to a retraction side along a photographing optical axis is restricted by contact of a stopper section of the stopper member and an operation rod, and a movable lens is held in a position for realizing a second focal length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichi Wataya, Akira Muramatsu, Yuki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 10149606
    Abstract: An optical unit 1 includes a voice coil motor 10 which can relatively move a movable part 3 with respect to a fixed part 2 in the axis C direction by using a coil 11 arranged on the fixed part 2 and a magnet 12 arranged on the movable part 3, wherein the movable part 3 includes a movable-side sliding surface which can slide over an inner periphery of the fixed part 2, and a distance L1 from a position closest to an object side to a position closest to an image side of the movable-side sliding surface in the axis C direction of the movable part 3 is greater than a distance from an emission surface of the object-side fixed lens group Gf held by the fixed part 2 to an incident surface of the image-side fixed lens group Gb held by the fixed part 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takehiko Iguchi
  • Patent number: 9703089
    Abstract: An objective lens for endoscopes is constituted essentially by, in order from the object side: a negative first lens having a concave surface toward the image side; a first cemented lens, formed by cementing a second lens and a third lens having refractive powers with signs opposite each other, provided in this order from the object side, together; a stop; a positive fourth lens having a convex surface toward the image side; and a second cemented lens, formed by cementing a positive fifth lens and a negative sixth lens, provided in this order from the object side, together, in which the coupling surface is convex toward the image side. Focusing from an object at a most distant point to an object at a most proximal point is performed by moving only the second cemented lens. A predetermined conditional formula is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke Harada, Michio Cho
  • Patent number: 9526402
    Abstract: The endoscope apparatus effects shifting without disappearance of a side observation image until a boundary between the side observation image and a non-image-forming region reaches an end of a light receiving surface so that a displacement of a shift distance K is produced between an optical axis of an imaging optical system and a center position L of the light receiving surface of an imaging section, adjusts a magnification of the imaging optical system, and magnifies and displays a combined image of a front observation image and the side observation image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuki Honda
  • Patent number: 9501139
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a mobile terminal capable of image capture and a control method thereof. A mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a display unit, a camera arranged with a plurality of lenses along a plurality of lines, a controller configured to display images entered through the plurality of lenses in a preset arrangement on the display unit, and capture at least one of the images entered through the plurality of lenses in response to a capture request being received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Minchul Kim, Jeonghyun Lee, Kyungmin Cho, Jaemoo Lee, Jongkyeong Park
  • Patent number: 9402546
    Abstract: Optical sensor devices, image processing devices, methods and computer readable code computer-readable storage media for detecting biophysical parameters, chemical concentrations, chemical saturations, vital signs and physiological information such as a malignant condition are provided. In some embodiments, the optical sensor includes an array of photodetectors, where each photodetector is configured to detect a spectrum of light. In some embodiments, the image processing device receives a live still or video electronic image, or alternatively, the electronic image is provided from an electronic storage media. Exemplary physiological parameters include but are not limited to a pulse rate, a biophysical or physiological property of skin, a cardiovascular property, a property related to an organ such as the liver or the kidneys, and a temperature fluctuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: CNOGA HOLDINGS LTD.
    Inventor: Yosef Segman
  • Patent number: 9173555
    Abstract: Provided is an endoscope which is capable of letting a liquid drain off to a satisfactory level at the time of cleaning, while securing the degree of freedom of a layout. An observation window is placed on an observation window base part which is formed on a distal end surface of a distal end part so as to protrude from the surrounding area. An outer peripheral shape of the observation window base part is formed into a streamline shape with respect to a flow of a cleaning fluid jetted from a nozzle. With this feature, it is possible to block a liquid flow having a low flow rate from flowing on the observation window, and to allow the liquid flow which has been used for cleaning to promptly move to the outside of the observation window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Ikeda, Kan Naito
  • Patent number: 8976468
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Akari Kanazawa, Tsutomu Igarashi
  • Patent number: 8936546
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Toru Kuchimaru
  • Patent number: 8749897
    Abstract: A lens system and a for a capsule endoscope includes a first lens having a concave aspheric surface having a radius R2 and a second lens having a convex aspheric surface having a radius R3 facing the first lens. A third lens has a convex aspheric surface having radius R6. The lens system satisfies the following conditions: (1) R2/Gap>1 and ABS(R3/R2)>1.28; (2) 1<ABS(R6/R2)<1.1 and R6<0; and (3) V2<V1 and V2<V3; wherein: i) Gap is a distance from a center of curvature of the concave aspheric surface of the first lens to a center of curvature of the convex aspheric surface of the second lens; (ii) ABS denotes absolute value; and (iii) V1 is an Abbe number of the first lens, V2 is an Abbe number of the second lens, and V3 is an Abbe number of the third lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ting-Yu Cheng
  • Patent number: 8721533
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Seiji Iwasaki, Hiroshi Ishii, Tomohisa Takahashi, Hiroaki Kagawa
  • Patent number: 8702597
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Given Imaging Ltd.
    Inventor: Gavriel J. Iddan
  • Patent number: 8668640
    Abstract: Endoscopes and other viewing devices that control the light that contacts a sample and/or that is detected emanating from a sample. The viewing devices are particularly well suited for in vivo imaging, although other uses are also included. The viewing devices, and methods related thereto, comprise a spatial light modulator in the illumination and/or detection light path so that light transmitted to the target via a bundle of light guides or optical system is transmitted substantially only into the cores of the light guide bundle and not into the cladding surrounding the light guides, filler between the light guides in the bundle, or undesired light guides. Also, methods and apparatus for mapping the pixels of the spatial light modulator to the cores of the light guides in the bundle (preferably at least 3 pixels (e.g., at least 3 mirrors for a digital micromirror device) for each core), as well as for mapping the light guides of one light guide bundle to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Motic China Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Calum E. MacAulay, Andrew L. P. Dlugan, Pierre Lane
  • Patent number: 8657738
    Abstract: In an endoscope system, a light guide for conducting illumination light from a light source to an endoscope distal end consists of a first fiber bundle and a second fiber bundle. Optical fibers of the first fiber bundle have a smaller numerical aperture than optical fibers of the second fiber bundle. A light volume control mechanism is controlled to project the illumination light only from the first fiber bundle in a close-up inspection mode. In an ordinary inspection mode, the illumination light is projected only from the second fiber bundle. When the volume of light projected from the second fiber bundle toward a target site is insufficient in the ordinary inspection mode, the light volume control mechanism is controlled to let the illumination light be projected from the first fiber bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Ryou Kitano
  • Patent number: 8602979
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Ryou Kitano
  • Publication number: 20130184530
    Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes an objective optical system that is configured so that an observation magnification in at least a center part of an observation range is variable, a magnification control section that controls the observation magnification, and a brightness control section that performs a photometric process that attaches weight to a center part of an image that corresponds to the center part of the observation range when the observation magnification is a second magnification that is higher than a first magnification as compared with a case where the observation magnification is the first magnification, and adjusts the brightness of the image based on the result of the photometric process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Olympus Corporation
  • Patent number: 8480563
    Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: an endoscope that generates an image of an object; a display portion that displays the image and a cursor that designates a position on an image based on the image; a characteristic quantity calculating portion that calculates, based on the image, a characteristic quantity of the image on the basis of the position designated by the cursor; and a control portion that controls movement of the cursor in accordance with the characteristic quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Sumito Nakano
  • Patent number: 8469882
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20130137930
    Abstract: An objective lens for an endoscope, an actuator for focusing the objective lens, and an endoscope system including the objective lens are provided. The objective lens for an endoscope includes a plurality of lenses and a stop, and an optical element disposed adjacent to the stop, wherein a focal length may be varied by moving the optical element in a direction different from an optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Sergey MENABDE, Jong-chul CHOI, Hae-in CHUNG
  • Publication number: 20130131454
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for releasing a ligament. In one embodiment, the system includes a proximal handle, a tubular body, and a flexible body. The tubular body includes a proximal end and a distal end. The handle is coupled to the proximal end. The flexible body extends through the tubular body and includes a tissue cutting portion. The flexible body or tubular body is longitudinally displaceable to move the tissue cutting portion between a non-deployed state and a deployed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: Thayer Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. McCormack, Edward Fletcher Eyster, Jeffrey D. Smith, Edward Liou, Jonathan Carver, Peter How, Joshua Druker, Martin Leugers, Shigeru Tanaka, Joseph G. McCormack
  • Patent number: 8422130
    Abstract: A portable magnifying instrument useful for colposcopy is provided which may include in combination an optical system capable of providing a distortion free clear continuously varying 10× to 15× magnification of a three-dimensional wide object; an integrated energy efficient, low powered and intensity controlled illumination system; a power pack and mounting. The optical system may have an eyepiece lens system and an objective lens system. The illumination system may have a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) connected to the power pack; mounted in such a manner that the angle between the LEDs is maintained with respect to the optical axis of the lens system and that the light beam from the said LEDs impinges on the wide object to be observed at the focus of the said lens system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
    Inventors: Uday Sankar Ghosh, Tapas Gangopadhyay, Munshi Amirul Alam, Sankar Karmakar, Mihir Kumar Banerjee, Gour Chandra Chatterjee
  • Patent number: 8419630
    Abstract: An endoscope system including an endoscope which acquires a front field-of-view image and a lateral field-of-view image of an object of observation; a detecting section which has a function capable of detecting whether a treatment instrument is used or not in the endoscope based on a notification signal which is outputted when the treatment instrument is inserted into the endoscope; and an image processing section. The image processing section generates an observation image including the front field-of-view image and the lateral field-of-view image within the same screen, displays a magnified image of one field-of-view image out of the front field-of-view image and the lateral field-of-view image on a display, and performs adjacent part display processing of displaying only a part of the one field-of-view image which is adjacent to the other field-of-view image or image compression processing of displaying a compressed image of the other field-of-view image on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Seigo Kase, Yasuhito Kura, Yuji Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 8366609
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Seiji Iwasaki, Hiroshi Ishii, Tomohisa Takahashi, Hiroaki Kagawa
  • Patent number: 8360966
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Toru Kuchimaru
  • Patent number: 8360965
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Toru Kuchimaru, Seiji Sakai
  • Patent number: 8337399
    Abstract: An endoscope apparatus, comprising an imaging controller, a receiver, and an image generator, is provided. The imaging controller makes an optical image to be captured so that the amount of optical information to be captured per a certain area size for an enlarged observation area is greater than that for a normal observation area. The receiver receives the optical information as a pixel signal. The image generator generates a normal image signal corresponding to a normal image on the basis of the pixel signals captured within the normal observation area and a part of the pixel signals captured within the enlarged observation area. The image generator generates an enlarged image signal corresponding to an enlarged image on the basis of the pixel signals captured within the enlarged observation area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Sugimoto, Kohei Iketani
  • Patent number: 8265430
    Abstract: An image processing system includes a plurality of clients, a plurality of servers, and a computer. The computer includes a user application and a multi-target controller. The user application interactively operates with a user. The multi-target controller causes the plurality of clients to synchronously access the plurality of servers in response to a request from the user application, acquire from the plurality of servers a plurality of pieces of target data corresponding to a plurality of sub-regions in a draw region of the user application, and expand the plurality of pieces of target data into a plurality of pieces of draw data. The multi-target controller further combines the plurality of pieces of draw data returned from the plurality of clients into single draw data and passes the single draw data to the user application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akio Matsubara
  • Patent number: 8248465
    Abstract: A measuring endoscope apparatus includes: an endoscope that performs photoelectric conversion of a subject image to generate an imaging signal; an imaging signal processing unit that processes the imaging signal to generate image data; a measurement unit that executes measurement based on a principle of triangulation using the image data; a display signal generating unit that generates a display signal for displaying a measurement result; a determination unit that determines the reliability of the measurement result on the basis of the image data; and a control unit that executes a control according to a determination result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Doi
  • Patent number: 8202214
    Abstract: There is provided an endoscope capable of observing cells at a desired position existing in the depth direction with a simple structure as compared to the conventional configuration. The endoscope includes an insert unit to be inserted into a biological body, a low-scaling observation system for observing an observation position in a biological body with a low scaling, and a high-scaling observation system for observing a target position of the aforementioned observation position as a local position with a high scaling. The high-scaling observation system includes a plurality of illumination units for applying illumination light for high-scaling observation of the target position. The illumination units are arranged at predetermined positions of the end face of the insert unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Doguchi, Hironobu Ichimura
  • Patent number: 8142351
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Susumu Aono, Mitsutaka Kokubo
  • Patent number: 8114013
    Abstract: An endoscope insertion portion capable of illuminating a diseased part corresponding to a part of an endoscope image by irradiation light in an amount approximately the same as that in non-enlarged display, when displaying the part of the endoscope image in an enlarged manner. The endoscope insertion portion of this invention includes: an insertion portion having a distal end surface; a first illumination optical system for irradiating light onto a subject; a second illumination optical system for irradiating light onto the subject; a first image pickup portion including on the distal end surface a first optical member for introducing light from the subject; and a second image pickup portion including a second optical member for introducing light from the subject, the second optical member being disposed in an area sandwiched by the first illumination optical system and the second illumination optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Takashi Otawara
  • Patent number: 8092375
    Abstract: An endoscope insertion portion of the invention includes a plurality of observation windows having different outer diameters for leading incident light to a plurality of image pickup portions, and disposed on a distal end surface of the distal end portion; and an air/water feeding portion for spouting out a gas or liquid toward the plurality of observation windows, and disposed to the distal end portion. One of the plurality of observation windows having the largest outer diameter is disposed on the distal end surface at a position closest to the air/water feeding portion than the other of the plurality of observation windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Takashi Otawara
  • Patent number: 8066634
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 8052598
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Daniel E. Groszmann
  • Patent number: 8038596
    Abstract: A body cavity observation apparatus includes a treatment tool to be inserted into a body cavity of a subject with an insertion tool as a guide, an observation section attached to an opening of a body wall of the subject, a monitor for displaying the body cavity captured by the observation section, and a marker position-detecting device for detecting a position of a marker part applied to the treatment tool or insertion tool from an image showing the body cavity captured by the observation section. The marker position-detecting device includes a pixel extracting device for extracting a group of pixels in the same color as the color of the marker part from the image and a calculation device for calculating a position of the barycenter of the group of pixels as a position of the marker part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichi Miyake, Tatsuo Igarashi, Harufumi Makino, Toshiya Nakaguchi, Hiroshi Fujita
  • Patent number: 8035900
    Abstract: An objective lens for an endoscope is provided and has a lens group A and a lens group B that are movable in a direction of an optical axis. In the objective lens, first focal adjustment for observing a point between a most-distant point and an intermediate point is performed by moving the lens group A from a lens arrangement for observing the most-distant point; and second focal adjustment for observing a point between the intermediate point to a nearest point is performed by moving the lens group B from a lens arrangement for observing the intermediate point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Chikara Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8033990
    Abstract: An endoscope insertion portion of the invention includes a distal end portion, and a plurality of image pickup portions each including an image pickup device for obtaining an endoscope image, wherein the plurality of image pickup portions are disposed in the distal end portion such that agreement is made between first and second electric charge transfer directions in which electric charges are transferred from each photoelectric conversion device of the respective image pickup devices, thus avoiding a sense of incongruity (stress to a user) from being caused by endoscope images displayed on a monitor, which are obtained by a plurality of image pickup units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Takashi Otawara
  • Publication number: 20110237894
    Abstract: To provide an endoscope apparatus in which the observation image can be varied continuously as the observation magnification is varied by a zoom magnification varying manipulation so that an observation image suitable for an endoscope diagnosis is obtained at each observation magnification, and to thereby prevent the operator from feeling uncomfortable and increase the accuracy of a diagnosis. An endoscope apparatus is equipped with illuminating unit having plural light sources which generate light beams having different spectra, for illuminating an observation subject; imaging unit for imaging the observation subject; observation magnification varying unit for varying observation magnification of the imaging of the imaging unit; and light quantity ratio varying unit for continuously varying an emission light quantity ratio between the plural light sources according to the observation magnification that is set by the observation magnification varying unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi OZAWA, Takayuki IIDA, Yasuhiro MINETOMA, Akihiko ERIKAWA
  • Patent number: 7998064
    Abstract: An endoscope insertion portion of the invention comprises: a distal end portion; first image pickup means for obtaining a first observation image, the first image pickup means being disposed to the distal end portion; second image pickup means for obtaining a second observation image, the second image pickup means being disposed to the distal end portion; a first object optical system for condensing photographing light incident on the first image pickup means, the first object optical system being located in the distal end portion; a second object optical system for condensing photographing light incident on the second image pickup means, the second object optical system being located in the distal end portion; and a plurality of illumination optical systems for irradiating light to a subject, the plurality of illumination optical systems being located in the distal end portion in a manner sandwiching each of the first object optical system and the second object optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Takashi Otawara
  • Patent number: 7951075
    Abstract: An endoscopic inspection method includes staining step and super magnified observation step. In the staining step, a distal end surface of a distal end portion of an endoscope which includes a distal end opening of a channel and a first lens that forms a super high-power observation optical system is held in contact with the tissue surface of the observation subject region such that the staining fluid supplied via the channel penetrates to the gap between the distal end surface and the tissue surface to eliminate the mucus on the tissue surface. The tissue surface having the mucus eliminated is stained with the staining fluid. In the super magnified observation step, the first lens which forms the super high-power observation optical system provided at the distal end portion is brought into contact with the tissue surface that has been stained with the staining fluid such that the observation at the cellular level is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignees: Olympus Medical Systems Corp., Showa University
    Inventor: Haruhiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 7927273
    Abstract: An endoscope image pickup unit is disclosed that captures magnified images of an object. An objective optical system of the image pickup unit includes, in order from the object side, a front lens group having positive refractive power and an aperture stop. Various conditions are satisfied so as to provide an observation scale factor in the range of about 200 to 2000 so that cellular details can be observed, as in a microscope, while keeping the objective optical system sufficiently compact for insertion within a patient. Also disclosed is a focus adjustment apparatus and method for the endoscope image pickup unit, and a focus range check apparatus and method for the endoscope image pickup unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7901352
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Itsuji Minami
  • Publication number: 20100305405
    Abstract: In an objective lens for an endoscope, the full angle of view exceeds 120 degrees, and a most-object-side surface of the objective lens is spherical. Further, the following condition formulas (1) and (2) are satisfied: 0.7<?8/?10<0.8??(1); and 5<R1/f<15??(2), where ?10: half angle of view corresponding to a maximum image height; ?8: half angle of view corresponding to an image height that is 80% of the maximum image height; R1: curvature radius of the most-object-side surface; and f: focal length of the entire system of the objective lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi MIYANO
  • Patent number: 7803110
    Abstract: A veterinary otoscope permitting examination of an ear is defined by an instrument head including a proximal end and a distal insertion portion that is insertable into the ear. The veterinary otoscope includes an imaging lens train disposed within the instrument head, wherein each of the imagine lens train, an eyepiece and a distal opening of said insertion portion are aligned along an optical axis. The veterinary otoscope further includes a focusing mechanism for selectively moving at least one of the imagine lens train and the optics contained within the eyepiece relative to one another along the optical axis. The imagine lens train and the optics in the eyepiece define an optical system such that an entrance pipil is substantially located in the distal insertion portion of the instrument head, thereby enabling the entire tympanic membrane to be viewed at once by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Ervin Goldfain, Steven R. Slawson, Eric M. Andreassen, Kimberly E. McNeilly, Elizabeth P. Staples