US3818902A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endoscope assembly having its optical system provided with a direction shifter
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1972-06-30
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Granted: 1974-06-25
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Expires: 1992-06-30
Abstract
Abstract An endoscope assembly wherein either or both of an illumination optical system associated with an illumination window formed near the outer end of an endoscope and an observation light transmitting optical system associated with an observation window formed near said outer end are equipped with a direction shifter for changing by operation of a control means the direction in which the illumination light is emitted and/or the observation light is received.
Inventors
- 👤 K Kinoshita
- 👤 M Itoh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:51
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/06; A61B1/07; A61B1/00064; A61B1/00071; A61B1/0008; A61B1/00096; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00174; A61B1/00183; A61B1/04; A61B1/0623; G; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/24; G02B23/2407; G02B23/2423; A61B1/00165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
An endoscope assembly comprising a control means including an adjustment means, an endoscope member consisting of a connection tube attached to the control means, an illumination window through which to emit illumination light and an observation window through which to introduce observation light, both formed near the distal end of the endoscope, an illumination optical system associated with the illumination window, and an observation light transmitting optical system associated with the observation window; a direction shifter fitted to either of said optical systems for shifting the direction of the optical axis of either said optical systems; and a connection means for connecting the direction shifter to said adjustment means to vary, by means of said adjustment means, at least one of the directions in which the illumination light is emitted and the observation light is received.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
An endoscope assembly comprising a control means including an adjustment means, an endoscope member consisting of a connection tube attached to the control means, an illumination window through which to emit illumination light and an observation window through which to introduce observation light, both formed near the distal end of the endoscope, an illumination optical system associated with the illumination window, and an observation light transmitting optical system associated with the observation window; a direction shifter fitted to either of said optical systems for shifting the direction of the optical axis of either said optical systems; and a connection means for connecting the direction shifter to said adjustment means to vary, by means of said adjustment means, at least one of the directions in which the illumination light is emitted and the observation light is received.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The endoscope assembly according to claim 1 wherein the observation optical system comprises a first prism for reflecting observation light introduced through the observation window; an object lens for focusing light reflected by the first prism; and a first bundle of optical fibers having one end disposed at the focal point of the object lens and the opposite end drawn to the control means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The endoscope assembly according to claim 2 wherein the direction shifter comprises means for supporting the first prism so as to rotate it to a prescribed position in the lengthwise direction of the endoscope; and means connecting said first prism to said adjustment means to adjust the angle through which the first prism is made to rotate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The endoscope assembly according to claim 2 wherein the direction shifter comprises means for supporting the first prism so as to rotate it to a prescribed position across the endoscope; and means connecting said first prism to said adjustment means to adjust the angLe through which the first prism is made to rotate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The endoscope assembly according to claim 3 wherein said prism supporting means includes a frame pivotally supported by a pin at one end and normally urged in a prescribed direction by a spring; the control means includes an adjustment lever; and the adjustment means includes a wire connected at one end to the frame and at the other to the adjustment lever of the control means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
The endoscope assembly according to claim 4 wherein the prism supporting means includes a frame pivotally supported by a pin at one end and normally urged in a prescribed direction by a spring; the control means includes an adjustment lever; and the adjustment means includes a guide pin and a wedge-shaped member guided by said guide pin with its inclined surface so disposed as to abut against said frame and a wire connected at one end to said wedge-shaped member and at the other to the adjustment lever of the control means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
122 words
The endoscope assembly according to claim 1 wherein the illumination optical system includes a bundle of optical fibers through which to introduce illumination light from a source provided outside of the control means into the endoscope and a prism for reflecting illumination light delivered from the bundle of optical fibers and emitting said light to the outside through the illumination window; and the direction shifter includes a frame rotatably supporting the prism and normally urged in a prescribed direction by a spring, a wire having one end connected to said frame and the other end drawn to the control means and an adjustment knob fitted to the side of the control means and is connected to said other end of said wire.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
The endoscope assembly according to claim 7 wherein the illumination optical system includes a second bundle of optical fibers through which to introduce illumination light supplied from a source disposed outside of the control means and a convex lens for focusing illumination light delivered from said second bundle of optical fibers and emitting it to the outside of the illumination window.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The endoscope assembly according to claim 1 wherein the illumination optical system has a light source received in the endoscope itself.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The endoscope assembly according to claim 9 wherein the source of light consists of an observation lamp and photographic lamp and there are received a photographic film fitting means and a photographic optical system for emitting light from the photographic lamp to the film.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-24 | 1977-12-24 | 1978-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-24 | 1981-12-24 | 1982-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-24 | 1985-12-24 | 1986-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |