Endoscope capable of changing over the directions of visual field

• US 3,918,438 A
• Filed: 04/11/1974
• Issued: 11/11/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Katsuyuki Kanehira, Yoshisada Hayamizu
• Original Assignee: Katsuyuki Kanehira, Yoshisada Hayamizu
• Inventors: Hayamizu, Yoshisada, Kanehira, Katsuyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaudet, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Layton, Henry S.
• Application Number:
  US05/460,214
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 128/4-9 32/69 350/301,34,24,25,26
• US Class Current: 600/168
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00165 with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics A61B1/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00183 for variable viewing angles
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2423 of the distal end

Abstract

An endoscope capable of changing over the directions of visual field is disclosed which comprises first and second reflecting mirrors arranged in front of an objective lens with their reflecting surfaces opposed and inclined with each other. Either one or both of the first and second reflecting mirrors are made movable so as to selectively effect one of direct sight, lateral sight and rear sight visualizations while observing the interior of a hollow organ or objects not present to the eye.

Claims

1. An endoscope capable of changing over the directions of visual field comprising a flexible part provided at its front and rear ends with rigid parts, respectively, said front end rigid part being provided at its front end and lateral side with direct sight and lateral sight cover glass windows, respectively, an optical fiber bundle enclosed in said flexible part and having front and rear end surfaces terminated in said front and rear end rigid parts, respectively, an objective lens arranged in said front end rigid part, an eyepiece arranged in said rear end rigid part, first and second reflecting mirrors arranged in front of said objective lens with their reflecting surfaces opposed and inclined with each other, said first reflecting mirror being (adapted to be) selectively inserted into and removed from the optical axis of said objective lens, and said first and second mirrors being selectively movable so as to cooperate and provide a visual field through said lateral side.

2. An endoscope capable of changing over the directions of visual field as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising an auxiliary lens arranged in said front end rigid part of the endoscope near each of said direct and lateral sight cover glass windows and in parallel therewith, whereby the picture angle of the field of view and magnification of the image formed at the front end surface of the optical fiber bundle are varied.

3. An endoscope capable of changing over the directions of visual field as claimed in claim 1, wherein said front end rigid part is provided at its rear side with a rear sight cover glass window and said second reflecting mirror is selectively inserted into and removed from a rear sight optical axis passing through said rear sight cover glass window in a direction perpendicular thereto.

4. An endoscope capable of changing over the directions of visual field, as claimed in claim 3 wherein both said first and second reflecting mirrors are selectively inserted into and removed from the optical axis of said objective lens and rear sight optical axis, respectively.

5. An endoscope capable of changing over the directions of visual field as claimed in claim 3, wherein said second reflecting mirror is adapted to be inclined from the rear sight optical axis by an acute angle so as to make its reflecting surface opposed to the reflecting surface of said first reflecting mirror.