Vista Medical Technologies, Inc.

The Microoptical Corporation

Applied Vision Systems, Inc.

The Micropitical Corporation

John O Crawford

Mark B Spitzer

Koichiro Hori

Herbert A Thaler

The invention provides for capturing and displaying video images by (1) creating a video signal comprising a succession of video fields or frames containing optical image video data representing the captured optical image, with a plurality of first video fields or frames representing the optical image at a first exposure level and a plurality of second video fields or frames representing the optical image at a second exposure level different from the first exposure level, with the first field or frames being interspersed among said second fields or frames, and (2) utilizing that video signal to (a) generate a video display of the image represented by said first video fields or frames or the image represented by said second video fields or frames, or (b) concurrently generate a first video display of the image represented by said first video fields or frames and a second video display of the image represented by said second video fields or frames. In addition to, or instead of, using the video signal output to generate a video display in real time, the invention provides for recording the video signal output of the camera, and subsequently using the recorded video signal to generate video displays of the optical image represented by said first or second fields or frames consisting of the optical image data represented by said first or second video fields or frames.

Dynamic range video camera, recording system, and recording method

A display illumination and viewing system has an illumination optical path and a viewing optical path coinciding along a portion of their lengths. A display is located at one end of the coinciding path portion. A first lens system is located on the coinciding path portion and a second lens system is located on the viewing optical path. An illumination assembly is located on the illumination optical path and off the coinciding path portion. The illumination assembly is spaced from the first lens system by a distance corresponding to a focal length of the first lens system. A reflective and transmissive element is located at an opposite end of the coinciding path portion to reflect light from the illumination assembly onto the coinciding path portion toward the display and to transmit light from the display along the viewing optical path. In another aspect of the invention, the image display system is operable in a color mode and a monochrome mode. Illumination circuitry is in communication with an illumination source and includes a switch operative to switch the illumination source between the color mode to provide a color display and the monochrome mode to provide a monochrome display.

Illumination systems for eyeglass and facemask display systems

An off-axis optical display system is provided. The system comprises an eyeglass lens assembly having a first lens section having a first surface, at least a portion of the first surface having a first curvature, and a second lens section having a second surface, at least a portion of the second surface having a second curvature. An interface is located between the first surface and the second surface. The interface comprises an optical layer and conforms to the first curvature of the first surface and the second curvature of the second surface. An image source is located off-axis with respect to the interface to transmit light along an optical path that reflects off the optical reflective surface of the interface toward an eye of a user. A portion of the optical path may be through air, and refraction is provided at the interface between air and the first lens. An aberration correction element is also provided.

Eyeglass display lens system employing off-axis optical design

An endoscope apparatus includes a handle assembly and an outer tube having a distal end and a proximal end, the latter being fixed to the handle assembly. The outer tube is provided with a groove in an outermost surface of the outer tube and extending lengthwise of the outer tube. The apparatus further includes an irrigation tube for disposal in the groove for conducting fluid in a direction from the proximal end to the distal end.

Endoscope with replaceable irrigation tube

An endoscope comprises inner and outer tubes, the inner metal tube containing electrical an objective unit components including a solid state video imaging unit. An electrically insulative sleeve is disposed around the inner tube for electrically isolating the inner tube and electrical components from the outer tube. In a preferred embodiment, an electrically insulative ring is disposed between a major portion of the inner tube and distal end portion of the inner tube to electrically isolate the inner tube distal end portion from the inner tube major portion and the electrical components. Thus, those endoscope components which are likely to contact a patient, i.e., the outer tube and the inner tube distal end portion, are electrically isolated from the inner tube and the electrical components therein, thereby preventing injurious electrical current flow to the patient.

Growing community of inventors

Hopkinton, MA, United States of America

John O Crawford