Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.

Precision Optics Corporation, Inc.

Litton Systems, Inc.

Robert S Breidenthal

Brian E Volk

Robert N Ross

Joseph N Forkey

Richard Cyr

Richard E Forkey

David Chambers

Jack William Smith

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 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

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 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

An aspheric optical test plate assembly is disclosed which permits a qualitative comparison to be made between the surface contour of a known area of an aspheric optical element and the surface contour of an area on the aspheric optical element which should be equivalent to the contour of the known area. The aspheric optical test plate assembly includes an optical test plate in the shape of a segment of a spherical element and means for stressing the element to make its contour approximate the contour of an aspheric surface.

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Bolton, MA, United States of America

Robert S Breidenthal