Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
An endoscope with an insertion section having a distal structure, comprising: an objective optical system disposed in the distal structure so as to be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof; a solid-state image sensing device disposed in the distal structure so as to be substantially parallel to a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the distal structure, said image sensing device having a light receiving surface with an image area therein; an optical element attached to an end portion of the objective optical system, and adapted to bend the optical path of a light incident on the objective optical system substantially at right angles, thereby guiding the light to the light receiving surface of the image sensing device; and a forceps channel having one end attached to the distal structure, the longitudinal axis of said forceps channel being situated on a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the objective optical system and extending substantially parallel to the light receiving surface of the image sensing device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
An endoscope with an insertion section having a distal structure, comprising: an objective optical system disposed in the distal structure so as to be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof; a solid-state image sensing device disposed in the distal structure so as to be substantially parallel to a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the distal structure, said image sensing device having a light receiving surface with an image area therein; an optical element attached to an end portion of the objective optical system, and adapted to bend the optical path of a light incident on the objective optical system substantially at right angles, thereby guiding the light to the light receiving surface of the image sensing device; and a forceps channel having one end attached to the distal structure, the longitudinal axis of said forceps channel being situated on a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the objective optical system and extending substantially parallel to the light receiving surface of the image sensing device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said optical element is a prism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said solid-state image sensing device has a square image area, and said optical element is situated in the center of the image area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said solid-state image sensing device has an image area whose longitudinal and transverse lengths are different.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein the ratio of the longitudinal length of the image area to the transverse length thereof is 3:4.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein said optical element is located such that its center is to one side of, and does not coincide with, the center of the image area of the solid-state image sensing device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said solid-state image sensing device includes a ceramic base.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said solid-state image sensing device includes a glass-epoxy base.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The endoscope according to claim 8, wherein said glass-epoxy base has lead means only on one sideedge portion thereof.