Binocular endoscope
First Claim
1. A binocular endoscope for obtaining three dimensional visual perception of an image of an object to be viewed,said endoscope comprising:
- a pair of elongated, coextensive, juxtaposed optical systems for directing and guiding object-reflected light simultaneously through two paralleling substantially equivalent optical viewing paths delineated by an optic shaft extending between the object viewed and a binocular viewing station,said optical systems includinglong path length lens means including means for focusing the image for viewing at the viewing station,light path directing means operative to establish a parallax angle between the two viewing paths thereby to provide depth perception of the image of the object viewed,ocular means for receiving and perceiving an image optically transmitted from the viewed object to the viewing station,optic shaft means and means for rotatably shifting said optic shaft means relative to said ocular means of the endoscope to facilitate and effectuate continuously variable full-field viewing of an object to be examined, andshift compensating optic means for maintaining an image of the object viewed in a disposition which is fixed as to angular spatial orientation relative to the viewing station irrespective of manipulative rotation of the optic shaft of the endoscope for selected field viewing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A binocular endoscope for diagnostic work, medical treatment and surgical procedures providing depth perception in the image of an object viewed. Image transmittal from the viewed object to the viewing station is through a non-distorting, high resolution, optical system utilizing long path length lens means. Selectable field viewing through 360° of continuous rotation, with preservation with image conformity, is achieved through the use of a dove prism in combination with mechanical linkage to compensate for rotation effects. The apparatus also includes field illumination means, fluid input and exhaust channels and a manipulable surgical element.
145 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A binocular endoscope for obtaining three dimensional visual perception of an image of an object to be viewed,
said endoscope comprising: -
a pair of elongated, coextensive, juxtaposed optical systems for directing and guiding object-reflected light simultaneously through two paralleling substantially equivalent optical viewing paths delineated by an optic shaft extending between the object viewed and a binocular viewing station, said optical systems including long path length lens means including means for focusing the image for viewing at the viewing station, light path directing means operative to establish a parallax angle between the two viewing paths thereby to provide depth perception of the image of the object viewed, ocular means for receiving and perceiving an image optically transmitted from the viewed object to the viewing station, optic shaft means and means for rotatably shifting said optic shaft means relative to said ocular means of the endoscope to facilitate and effectuate continuously variable full-field viewing of an object to be examined, and shift compensating optic means for maintaining an image of the object viewed in a disposition which is fixed as to angular spatial orientation relative to the viewing station irrespective of manipulative rotation of the optic shaft of the endoscope for selected field viewing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. In a binocular endoscope, the method of providing angularly spatially oriented, full-field viewing of an object to be examined, and three dimensional visual perception of an image of the object examined, said method comprising the steps of:
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supporting a pair of elongated optical systems in a coextensive, juxtaposed disposition to define an optic shaft and to direct and guide object-reflected light simultaneously through two paralleling, substantially equivalent optical viewing paths symmetrical with respect to an optic shaft extending between the object viewed and binocular viewing station, illuminating the object to be examined, interposing light path directing means forwardly of said pair of optical systems and between said optical systems and the object to be viewed, thereby to establish a parallax angle between the two viewing paths and to provide depth perception of the image of an object viewed, mounting ocular means at corresponding functional positions at an end of each of said pair of optical systems remote from the object to be viewed, thereby to receive and to perceive an image optically transmitted from the viewed object to the viewing station, rotatably shifting said optic shaft relative to said ocular means to provide continuously variable full-field viewing of an object to be examined, and intercoupling shift compensating optic means between said optic shaft and said ocular means to maintain an object viewed in a disposition which is fixed as to angular spatial orientation relative to the viewing station irrespective of manipulative rotation of the optic shaft of the endoscope for selected field viewing.
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Specification