Dynamic image enhancer for fiberscopes

• US 4,378,952 A
• Filed: 08/15/1980
• Issued: 04/05/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Warner Lambert Limited (Pfizer Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Warner Lambert Limited (Pfizer Inc.)
• Inventors: Siegmund, Walter P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gensler, Paul L.
• Application Number:
  US06/178,318
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 350/6.2, 350/6.3, 350/96.25, 350/96.26, 350/247, 350/254, 356/127
• US Class Current: 385/116
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/065 with dynamic image improvement
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4206 Optical features G02B6/4207, G02B6/421 take precedence

Abstract

A fiberscope objective having an oscillating lens element which causes images formed by the objective to scan across a receiving end of an image-transporting fiber bundle for increased image resolution and bundle blemish suppression. Synchronous scanning of the opposite bundle end renders transported images stationary for viewing.

Claims

1. In a dynamic image enhancing system for fiberscopes, the improvement comprising:

a distal image-forming objective having first and second lenses, the first of said lenses being fixed in aligned spaced relationship with one end of an image-transporting fiber bundle of a fiberscope incorporating said image-enhancing system and the second of said lenses being positioned between said first lens and fiber bundle;

means permitting pivoting of said second lens relative to said one end of said fiber bundle; and

means for effecting said pivoting in controlled oscillating fashion for causing images produced by said objective to repeatedly scan across said one end of said fiber bundle.

2. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said first lens and said one end of said fiber bundle are substantially aligned on a common axis and said second lens is pivoted about a second axis extending approximately right-angularly through said common axis.

3. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said means for pivoting said second lens includes a permanent magnet and adjacent AC solenoid, one being stationary and the other fixed to said second lens.

4. The improvement according to claim 3 wherein said magnet is ring-shaped and fixed to said second lens, said solenoid being mounted upon said fiber bundle adjacent said one end thereof.

5. The improvement according to claim 2 wherein said second lens is provided with a flat image-emitting surface adjacent said one end of said fiberscope and an opposite curved surface, said second axis extending across said flat surface.

6. The improvement according to claim 5 wherein said second lens has a center thickness dimension approximately equal to the radius of said curved surface.

7. The improvement according to claim 1 including means proximally of said fiberscope for scanning the opposite end of said image-transporting fiber bundle synchronously with said scanning of said one end thereof.

8. In a dynamic image enhancing system for fiberscopes, the improvement comprising:

an image transporting fiber bundle, an objective lens in aligned spaced relationship with one end of the fiber bundle, at least one component of said objective being arranged to pivot about an axis perpendicular to the optical axis of said objective and means for effecting said pivoting in controlled oscillating fashion for causing images produced by said objective to repeatedly scan across said one end of said fiber bundle.