Endoscopic video camera with magnetic drive focusing

• US 6,633,438 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2002
• Issued: 10/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc (Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg)
• Original Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc (Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg)
• Inventors: Anhalt, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwartz, Jordan M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thompson, Timothy J
• Application Number:
  US10/317,352
• Publication Number:
  US 20030103279A1
• Time in Patent Office: 306 Days
• Field of Search: 359/819, 359/822, 359/823, 359/824, 359/825, 359/826, 359/830, 359/694, 600/112, 600/109
• US Class Current: 359/694
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00101 the distal tip features being detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00188 with focusing or zooming features
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/73 Manipulators for magnetic surgery

Abstract

The invention relates to a magnetic drive focusing device with at least one lens within a chamber and an adjuster with magnets outside the chamber. Positioned between the lens and the chamber is a second sleeve with helical guide paths. As the adjuster is moved outside the chamber, the magnetic field within the chamber causes the lens within the chamber to move. As the lens rotates, non-magnetic guides which ride in the helical guide paths force the lens to move axially within the device.

Claims

1. A focusing device comprising:

a first sleeve;

a second sleeve fixedly mounted within said first sleeve, said second sleeve having a groove defining a path of movement;

a lens mounted within said second sleeve, said lens having a first magnetizable portion;

an adjuster mounted for movement about said first sleeve, said adjuster including a second magnetizable portion; and

a non-magnetic guide connected to said lens and positioned in said groove such that when said adjuster is moved about said first sleeve, said second magnetizable portion causes said lens to move via a magnetic interaction between said first magnetizable portion and said second magnetizable portion while said guide maintains its axial position relative to said lens.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein a stop connected to said adjuster prevents movement of said adjuster.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said lens is at least partially comprised of stainless steel.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said second magnetizable portion is a magnet.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said magnet is comprised of SmCo.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said first magnetizable portion is a magnet.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said magnet is comprised of SmCo.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said non-magnetic guide is a ball.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said first sleeve at least partially defines a sealed chamber.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein a tensioner connected to said adjuster holds said adjuster in place.