Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.

Precision Optics Corporation, Inc.

Itt Corporation

Other

Brian E Volk

Robert S Breidenthal

Joseph N Forkey

Richard E Forkey

Robert N Ross

Richard Cyr

David Chambers

Jack William Smith

Earle N Phillips

Christopher David

A stereoscopic endoscope includes an outer tube with an internal cavity, an insert, first and second image forming assemblies, first and second optical fiber bundles, and a first adapter. The insert is positioned within the outer tube and has a first side and a second side each including a concave outer surface. The insert holds the first and second image forming assemblies in a parallel relationship. Each optical fiber bundle substantially fills a non-circular void in the outer tube defined as a cross- sectional area between a respective side of the insert and a respective portion of an inner surface of the outer tube. The first adapter is configured to connect at least one of the first optical fiber bundle and the second optical fiber bundle to an illumination source.

Maximizing illumination fiber in an endoscope

An objective element for use in an endoscope is provided. The objective element comprises a flat glass plate that is in contact with the plano side of a plano-convex lens. The side of the flat glass plate in contact with the plano-convex lens is coated with an opaque material other than an aperture that is in line with the axis of the plano-convex lens. Alternatively, the plano side of a plano-convex lens may be coated with an opaque material other than an aperture that is in line with the axis of the plano-convex lens.

Lens for use with imaging sensors

An opto-mechanical assembly including a housing and an internally supported optical element, such as a lens, mounted along an axis. At least one of the housing and optical element includes a radially extending chamber. Adhesive disposed in the chamber interacts with the housing and the optical element to prevent axial motion between the optical element and housing.

Opto-mechanical apparatus adapted for mounting optical elements with small cross sections

A stereoscopic endoscope includes a proximal main body, an outer tube extended to a distal end of the endoscope and a pair of optical train subassemblies. Distal and proximal inserts in the distal and proximal ends of the outer tube, respectively, support the optical train subassemblies. First and second optical fiber bundles substantially fill all of the voids between the inner surface of the outer tube and the outer surfaces of the inserts and the optical train subassemblies.

An opto-mechanical device, such as a lens cell, includes a housing having an axially extending chamber and an intermediate internal spacer that positions a sharp-edged lens in the chamber. The sharp-edged lens has first and second optical surfaces that intersect in a circumferential sharp edge. The housing positions an image sensor proximal to the sharp-edged lens for processing light therefrom.

Opto-mechanical devices with sharp-edge lenses

A convergence prism assembly with a housing and a prism structure having a plurality of prisms mounted in a unitary assembly.

Convergence optics for stereoscopic imaging systems

An optical device with five air-spaced optical elements. An optical device in the form of an eyepiece is disclosed with a center negative lens and two outer positive lenses on each side of the intermediate negative lens. The eyepiece transmits light from an object to an exit pupil along angles corresponding to the position of a focus point on an object. In a preferred embodiment the positive lenses are identical.

Five-element optical device

A stereoscopic endoscope system for producing images that can be perceived in three dimensions. An endoscope apparatus includes a sheath carrying a light source and two independent fixed lens endoscopes. Collimated light from the proximal ends of each endoscope are directed along folded optical paths to independent video cameras. The images generated by the video cameras energize monitors in a virtual reality display device that can be positioned proximate an observer's eyes. Adjustable mirrors and the provision of the rotation of at least one of the video cameras on its axis facilitate the alignment of the images for maximum effect.

Stereoscopic endoscope with virtual reality viewing

An endoscope with an eyepiece and an objective lens system used for observing an object in an environmental media. The distal most optical element in the objective lens system is a spherical lens. The spherical lens has a curved distal surface that contacts the environmental media. The objective lens system facilitates the control of the distortion in an image generated by the objective lens system to approximate a reverse distortion of the eyepiece system measured as the distortion in an image generated distally of the eyepiece system of an object positioned proximally of the eyepiece system.

Endoscope with low distortion

An endoscope has an elongated sheath that follows a curved path. The sheath houses a plurality of relay lens sets designed to have a maximum usable field of view that is greater than the size of an image to be produced. Discrete lens elements within the image transfer guide allow the image to offset to the edges of the maximum usable field of view thereby to allow the axes through the individual sets to progressively shift in angle to form the curved path. This provides endoscopes that are particularly useful as arthroscopes or

Endoscope with curved optical axis

The present invention relates to an improved collimator assembly that includes two separate optical paths. Each optical path passes through a corrector lens arrangement substantially centered and aligned with one of two eyepiece lens assemblies. Each corrector lens arrangement is constructed so as to selectively refract light passing through it, in such a manner so as to counteract and reduce the axial chromatic aberrations that occur in the eyepiece lens assemblies.

Growing community of inventors

Jefferson, MA, United States of America

Brian E Volk