Imaging module for endoscopes

• US 7,561,351 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2007
• Issued: 07/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corporation (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Konno, Mitsujiro
• Primary Examiner(s): HASAN, MOHAMMED A
• Application Number:
  US11/897,292
• Publication Number:
  US 20080055748A1
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 359656-661, 359/811, 359819-822
• US Class Current: 359/811
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00101 the distal tip features being detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00103 designed for single use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00188 with focusing or zooming features
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 15/10 by adding a part, e.g. close-up attachment
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/243 Objectives for endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2484 Arrangements in relation to a camera or imaging device processing or control of video signals generated by an endoscope H04N23/60, H04N23/70
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/02 for lenses supports for magnifying lenses G02B25/002

Abstract

An imaging module for endoscopes includes a convex lens and an image sensor in which mutual positions are fixed and a plurality of optical modules that are selectively mountable with respect to the fundamental module so that the observation condition is switched in accordance with an optical module selectively mounted. The imaging module for endoscopes is constructed so that when each of the optical modules is mounted to the fundamental module, an image position and an angle of oblique incidence of light of an observation image on the image sensor are practically unchanged.

Claims

1. An imaging module for endoscopes comprising:

a fundamental module including a convex lens and an image sensor that are fixedly positioned relative to one another; and

an optical module selected among a plurality of optical modules each of which is constructed to be mountable to the fundamental module, the imaging module being formed by mounting the selected optical module to the fundamental module,

wherein an observation condition is switched in accordance with the selected optical module mounted to the fundamental module, and

wherein an image position and an angle of oblique incidence of light of an observation image on the image sensor are practically unchanged irrespective of which one of the plurality of optical modules is mounted on the fundamental module.

2. An imaging module for endoscopes according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical modules have a first optical module including a first concave lens made of plastic and a first lens frame made of black resin, positioning and retaining the first concave lens;

and a second optical module including, in order from an object side, a second concave lens made of plastic, a third concave lens constructed similar to the first concave lens, and a second lens frame made of black resin, positioning and retaining the second concave lens and the third concave lens, the second lens frame being constructed so that spacing between an image-side surface of the third concave lens and an object-side surface of the convex lens of the fundamental module where the second optical module is mounted to the fundamental module is different from spacing between the image-side surface of the first concave lens and the object-side surface of the convex lens of the fundamental module where the first optical module is mounted to the fundamental module, to be selectively mountable with respect to the fundamental module.

3. An imaging module for endoscopes according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical modules have a first optical module including a first concave lens made of plastic and a first lens frame made of black resin, positioning and retaining the first concave lens;

and a second optical module including a second concave lens constructed similar to the first concave lens and a second lens frame made of black resin, positioning and retaining the second concave lens, the second lens frame being constructed so that spacing between an image-side surface of the second concave lens and an object-side surface of the convex lens of the fundamental module where the second optical module is mounted to the fundamental module is different from spacing between the image-side surface of the first concave lens and the object-side surface of the convex lens of the fundamental module where the first optical module is mounted to the fundamental module, to be selectively mountable with respect to the fundamental module.

4. An imaging module for endoscopes according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of optical modules have a first optical module including a first concave lens made of plastic and a first lens frame made of black resin provided with a first aperture stop, positioning and retaining the first concave lens;

and a second optical module including a second concave lens constructed similar to the first concave lens and a second lens frame made of black resin provided with a second aperture stop different in location from the first aperture stop, to be selectively mountable with respect to the fundamental module.