Connecting device for an endoscope
First Claim
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1. A connecting apparatus for optically connecting an endoscope and a television camera and selectively optically connecting the endoscope to a still camera simultaneously with the optical connection between the endoscope and the television camera, comprising:
- a connecting device which connects the endoscope and the television camera in a state aligned to a first optical axis and is capable of connecting the still camera to it, including;
an eyepiece section having a second optical axis crossing said first optical axis to define an optical path intersection point;
supporting means movable located adjacent to said optical path intersection point;
first and second light splitting members mounted on said supporting means, and first light splitting member having a light splitting ratio different from the light splitting ratio of said second light splitting member so that the first light splitting member guides more light to the television camera than does the second light splitting member; and
driving means for moving said supporting means to selectively bring each of said first and second light splitting members to a position corresponding to the optical path intersection point and automatically moving said second light splitting member to said optical path intersection point when the still camera is mounted on said eyepiece section, said driving means including biasing means connected to said supporting means for urging said supporting means into a position with said first light splitting member located at said optical axis intersection point and moving means connected to said supporting means for overcoming the urging of said biasing means and moving said supporting means into a position with said second light splitting member located at said optical path intersection point, and moving means actuating means mounted on said eyepiece section for actuating said moving means when a still camera is mounted on said eyepiece and for deactuating said moving means when the still camera is removed from said eyepiece section so that said biasing means moves said first light splitting member back to said optical path intersection point;
an engaging member provided on the eyepiece of the endscope to be engaged with the mount portion of the still camera, said moving means actuating means being connected to said engaging member; and
means on the still camera for engaging said engaging member.
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Abstract
A connecting device includes a cylindrical body to both ends of which are connected an endoscope and a television camera and from which a light guide provided with an eyepiece section at its one end for connecting a steal camera is extended. In the cylindrical body is provided a support in which first and second prisms having different light splitting ratios are movably provided to selectively face the other end of the light guide.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A connecting apparatus for optically connecting an endoscope and a television camera and selectively optically connecting the endoscope to a still camera simultaneously with the optical connection between the endoscope and the television camera, comprising:
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a connecting device which connects the endoscope and the television camera in a state aligned to a first optical axis and is capable of connecting the still camera to it, including;
an eyepiece section having a second optical axis crossing said first optical axis to define an optical path intersection point;
supporting means movable located adjacent to said optical path intersection point;
first and second light splitting members mounted on said supporting means, and first light splitting member having a light splitting ratio different from the light splitting ratio of said second light splitting member so that the first light splitting member guides more light to the television camera than does the second light splitting member; and
driving means for moving said supporting means to selectively bring each of said first and second light splitting members to a position corresponding to the optical path intersection point and automatically moving said second light splitting member to said optical path intersection point when the still camera is mounted on said eyepiece section, said driving means including biasing means connected to said supporting means for urging said supporting means into a position with said first light splitting member located at said optical axis intersection point and moving means connected to said supporting means for overcoming the urging of said biasing means and moving said supporting means into a position with said second light splitting member located at said optical path intersection point, and moving means actuating means mounted on said eyepiece section for actuating said moving means when a still camera is mounted on said eyepiece and for deactuating said moving means when the still camera is removed from said eyepiece section so that said biasing means moves said first light splitting member back to said optical path intersection point;an engaging member provided on the eyepiece of the endscope to be engaged with the mount portion of the still camera, said moving means actuating means being connected to said engaging member; and
means on the still camera for engaging said engaging member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification