Endoscope
First Claim
1. An endoscope capable of outputting an optical image obtained through an objective optical system as electric image signals by means of a face plate-like image sensor provided on the forward end of an insertion portion, comprising:
- said objective optical system provided on the forward end of the insertion portion;
a light path changing member for changing the light path of an image pick-up light from said objective optical system into a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said insertion portion; and
a face plate-shaped image sensor opposed to a light emitting surface of said light path changing member and disposed on a plane incorporating therein the center axis in the longitudinal direction of said insertion portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This disclosure depicts an endoscope inserted into a cavity in a human body or a component such as an engine, for observing the interior thereof. In the endoscope according to the present invention, a face plate-shaped image sensor provided on the forward end of an insertion portion can output an optical image obtained through an objective optical system as electric image signals, which can be displayed on a picture plane of a television. This endoscope is disposed on a plane incorporating therein the center axis in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion, so that the outer diameter of the insertion portion of the endoscope can be reduced in addition to that the size of the image sensor can be secured satisfactorily. Furthermore, in the forward end of the insertion portion of this endoscope according to the present invention, a space sufficient for receiving a forceps channel can be secured at a side opposite to the side, where the objective optical system is disposed, with respect to the image sensor.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. An endoscope capable of outputting an optical image obtained through an objective optical system as electric image signals by means of a face plate-like image sensor provided on the forward end of an insertion portion, comprising:
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said objective optical system provided on the forward end of the insertion portion; a light path changing member for changing the light path of an image pick-up light from said objective optical system into a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said insertion portion; and a face plate-shaped image sensor opposed to a light emitting surface of said light path changing member and disposed on a plane incorporating therein the center axis in the longitudinal direction of said insertion portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification