Variable Power Endoscope Based On Liquid Lens Technology

• US 20120143004A1
• Filed: 12/01/2011
• Published: 06/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adlens Beacon, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Adlens Beacon, Inc.
• Inventors: GUPTA, Amitava, SCHNELL, Urban, EGAN, William, NIBAUER, Lisa, SAINT-GHISLAIN, Michel, STANGOTA, Frank, SAUVET, Julien
• Granted Patent: US 9,795,281 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/117
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0019 characterised by variable lenses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/002 having rod-lens arrangements A61B1/055 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/243 Objectives for endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2438 Zoom objectives
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/12 Fluid-filled or evacuated lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/14 of variable focal length
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/085 Fluid-filled lenses, e.g. electro-wetting lenses

Abstract

An endoscope realized as either a borescope or a fiberscope including one or more fluid filled lenses is described. In an embodiment, the optical power of the fluid filled lenses may be adjusted to adjust the focal length associated with the endoscope. Thus, variable working distances are allowable while maintaining focus on an object in front of the endoscope. The endoscope may include a distance sensor, which is used to determine a distance between the endoscope and a sample. A processor may compare the measured distance to the current optical power of the one or more sealed fluid filled lenses. The processor may transmit signals to one or more actuators coupled to one or more sealed fluid filed lenses to change the optical power of the one or more sealed fluid filled lenses based on the comparison.

Claims

1. An endoscope comprising:

an endoscope housing;

one or more optical fibers disposed within the endoscope housing and configured to provide a path for propagation of a light beam;

a sealed fluid filled lens disposed in the endoscope housing and in the path of the light beam;

an actuator coupled to the sealed fluid filled lens and configured to change the optical power of the sealed fluid filled lens; and

a controller coupled to the actuator and configured to apply a signal to the actuator, wherein the signal instructs the actuator to change the optical power of the sealed fluid filled lens.

2. The endoscope of claim 1, further comprising a distance sensor configured to measure the distance between a distal end of the endoscope and an object disposed in front of the distal end of the endoscope.

3. The endoscope of claim 2, wherein the distance sensor uses IR wavelengths.

4. The endoscope of claim 2, wherein the distance sensor is an ultrasonic sensor.

5. The endoscope of claim 2, herein the distance sensor uses visible light wavelengths.

6. The endoscope of claim 2, wherein the signal applied by the controller is based on a measurement received from the distance sensor.

7. The endoscope of claim 1, wherein the actuator is an electromechanical actuator.

8. The endoscope of claim 1, wherein the actuator varies a pressure applied to a liquid reservoir coupled to the sealed fluid filled lens.

9. The endoscope of claim 8, wherein the pressure applied changes the curvature of the sealed fluid filled lens.

10. The endoscope of claim 9, wherein the changes in curvature of the sealed fluid filled lens changes the magnification of the sealed fluid filled lens.

11. The endoscope of claim 10, wherein the magnification can be changed within the range of 2×

to 5×

.

12. The endoscope of claim 9, wherein the curvature has a minimum radius of curvature equal to 2.5 mm.

13. The endoscope of claim 1, wherein the endoscope housing comprises a hermetic window, and wherein the one or more optical fibers, the sealed fluid filled lens, and the actuator are disposed within the hermetic window.

14. The endoscope of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a slider configured to move the one or more optical fibers, the sealed fluid filled lens, and the actuator along a length of the housing.

15. The endoscope of claim 1, wherein the sealed fluid filled lens includes a fixed concave lens and a flexible membrane.

16. A method comprising:

receiving a signal from a distance sensor, wherein the signal is associated with a distance between a distal end of an endoscope and an object disposed in front of the distal end of the endoscope;

comparing the signal to an optical power associated with one or more sealed fluid filled lenses and to a requested magnification; and

adjusting at least one of the optical power of the one or more sealed fluid filled lenses and the distance based on the comparing.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the receiving is performed continuously.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the receiving comprises continuously receiving an optical signal.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the receiving comprises continuously receiving an acoustic signal.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the comparing farther compares the signal to the radius of curvature of the one or more sealed fluid filled lenses.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the adjusting the optical power comprises adjusting the curvature of the one or more sealed fluid filled lenses.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the adjusting the curvature is performed by one or more electromechanical actuators.

23. The method of 22, wherein one or more pressures applied to one or more liquid reservoirs coupled to the one or more sealed fluid filled lenses are varied by the electromechanical actuators.