Precision Optics Corporation, Inc.

Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.

Other

Robert N Ross

Joseph N Forkey

Richard E Forkey

Brian E Volk

Robert S Breidenthal

Richard Cyr

David Chambers

William P Barnes

Randall J Deary

Michael Patrick Clark

Christopher David

Harvey Apotheker

Sheri A Cruz

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 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 rigid endoscope includes an outer housing subassembly that supports an optics subassembly. The outer housing subassembly includes concentric tubes with optical fiber for providing object illumination. The optics subassembly includes a tubular sheath sealed at both ends for carrying lenses and other optical elements. First and second positioners associated with the optics subassembly and the outer housing subassembly, respectively, limit the transfer of axial forces from the proximal end of the endoscope to the tubular sheath.

Endoscope with relief of axial loading

A lens structure and method for manufacture of such a lens. A lens element has multiple sawn planar faces between image forming surfaces so the lens element has a polygonal cross section. The manufacture includes the step of utilizing oversized conventional cylindrical lens elements and other optical elements formed into lens systems. The faces are sawn to reduce the overall size. The sawing can be applied to integral lens elements or assemblies or lens arrays.

Acylindrical optical device

A rigid endoscope includes an outer housing subassembly that supports an optics subassembly. The outer housing subassembly includes concentric tubes with optical fiber for providing object illumination. The optics subassembly includes a tubular sheath sealed at both ends for carrying lenses and other optical elements. A slow-curing adhesive material fills an annular gap between the optics and outer housing subassemblies. The adhesive material has a tear strength that seals and positions the optics subassembly for normal use and that enables the optics subassembly to be withdrawn from the outer housing subassembly for repair.

Repairable endoscope

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

A new dental flossing system comprising; a.) Multiple compact floss dispensing cartridges having quick attachment means to a driver to advance floss contained within said floss dispensing cartridge, b.) A packaging container for multiple said compact floss dispensing cartridges and c.) Drive extension attachment means to configure new and existing dental drivers for use with said compact floss dispensing cartridges. The unique features built into said compact floss dispensing cartridge comprise; a plaque accumulator, containment of additive materials to the floss before use, and floss tension control. Novel system features built into said drive extension attachment means comprise; a self-locking gear train, auxiliary motion to said compact floss dispensing cartridge and quick attachment means to said compact floss dispensing cartridge. The new dental flossing system enhances the use of dental floss materials and dental drivers to advance floss and to remove plaque without depositing collected plaque on to other teeth.

Dental flossing cartridge system and driver attachments

Optical devices which accurately position optical elements and methods for producing such optical devices. Each optical element is carried by a support on an axis that has portions plastically deformed to overlap portions of the faces of the optical element adjacent an intermediate peripheral surface. This configuration locks the optical element axially in the support and produces a positive rigid retaining structure for each optical element.

Optical device with lens positioning and method of making the same

A lens assembly and method for manufacture. The lens assembly includes at least one lens element, with multiple sawn planar faces formed parallel to an optical axis and spaced equidistantly from the optical axis so the lens element has a polygonal cross section. Each lens element has a centered, rotationally symmetric characteristic so the overall assembly has a corresponding characteristic. The manufacture includes the step of utilizing oversized conventional cylindrical lens elements and other optical elements formed into lens systems. The faces are sawn to reduce the overall size. A circumscribing sheath provides a segmental lumen along each face.

Cylindrical optical devices and method of manufacture

A rigid endoscope includes an outer housing subassembly that supports an optics subassembly. The outer body subassembly includes concentric tubes with optical fiber for providing object illumination. The optics subassembly includes a tubular sheath sealed at both ends. A compression spring is positioned between a proximal most relay lens element and a distal most eyepiece element. The spring exerts a distally acting force on the elements of an optical objective and relay lens system. It also produces a proximally directed force on optical elements in the eyepiece. This minimizes differential thermal expansion stresses during autoclaving operations.

Autoclavable endoscope

An eyepiece adapter mechanism for providing a quick positive engagement to an interfacing instrument such as a B-styled endoscope. The adapter mechanism comprises a rigid back plate for providing a permanent attachment for the mechanism. A C-clip retainer positioned within a circumferential chamber of the back plate acts as a locking ring under the elastic force of the C-clip material itself to provide a grip around the interfacing instrument when installed into the back plate. An outwardly protruding portion of the C-clip, acting as a lever, releases the interfacing instrument when the level is moved toward a fixed post located a predetermined distance from the lever to facilitate single handed operation. An alternate embodiment provides a quick attach/release adapter without an eyepiece and employing a C-clip retainer.

Growing community of inventors

Gardner, MA, United States of America

Robert N Ross