US3817631A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for measuring distance of objects from the forward end portion of an endoscope
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1972-06-02
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Granted: 1974-06-18
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Expires: 1992-06-02
Abstract
Abstract The invention disclosed provides a distance measuring device for measuring the distance of an object from the forward end portion of an endoscope adapted to be inserted into a hollow portion of a living body or the like for the inspection thereof. The forward end portion of the present device is connected to a control housing through an elongated tube. The image of an object received in the forward end portion by an objective lens system is transmitted through the elongated tube and viewed through an ocular means provided in the control housing. The distance between the object and the forward end portion of the endoscope is determined by using a pair of light beams having parallel rays emitted from the forward end portion of the endoscope toward the object so as to form light spots thereon. The distance of the object from the forward end portion of the endoscope is determined by measuring the relative positions of the light spots with respect to the field of view of the endoscope. The direction of either one or both of the light beams are adjustable by a control mechanism in the control housing, with the amount of adjustment being indicative of the direction of the light beam. The distance between the object and the forward end portion is determined by bringing light spots appearing in the field of view into registration with each other.
Inventors
- 👤 I Kawahara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:33
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/24; G02B23/2407; G02B23/2423; G02B23/243; G02B23/2438; A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00165; A61B1/00174; A61B1/00177; A61B1/00183; A61B1/06; A61B1/0615; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/107; A61B5/1076
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
337 words
In a device for measuring the distance of an object from the forward end portion of an endoscope adapted to be inserted into a hollow portion of a living body or the like for the inspection thereof, said endoscope comprising a control housing, an elongated tube, said control housing being connected to said forward end portion through said elongated tube, an image transmitting optical system extending through said elongated tube and an objective provided in said forward end portion in front of the forward end of said image transmitting optical system, said image transmitting optical system transmitting an image of the object formed on the forward end thereof by said objective lens system the rearward end in said control housing thereby permitting the thus transmitted image to be viewed through ocular means provided in said control housing wherein the improvement comprises, light projecting means for emitting a pair of light beams toward the object from said forward end portion of the endoscope at positions each a certain distance spaced from said objective lens system so as to form two light spots on the surface of the object inspected through the endoscope, thereby permitting the distance of the object from the forward end portion of the endoscope to be determined on the basis of the relative positions of the light spots in the field of view, said light projecting means being comprised of a first and a second fiber optical system being supplied with light from an external light source, the light therefrom being transmitted through a first and a second collimating lens system respectively located in front of the forward end of said fiber optical system, a first and a second prism respectively located in the optical axis of said collimating lens system, said first prism being spaced a certain distance from said second prism, said prisms being positioned opposite to each other with respect to said objective lens system, thereby permitting the reflected light beam to be directed toward the object within the field of view.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
337 words
In a device for measuring the distance of an object from the forward end portion of an endoscope adapted to be inserted into a hollow portion of a living body or the like for the inspection thereof, said endoscope comprising a control housing, an elongated tube, said control housing being connected to said forward end portion through said elongated tube, an image transmitting optical system extending through said elongated tube and an objective provided in said forward end portion in front of the forward end of said image transmitting optical system, said image transmitting optical system transmitting an image of the object formed on the forward end thereof by said objective lens system the rearward end in said control housing thereby permitting the thus transmitted image to be viewed through ocular means provided in said control housing wherein the improvement comprises, light projecting means for emitting a pair of light beams toward the object from said forward end portion of the endoscope at positions each a certain distance spaced from said objective lens system so as to form two light spots on the surface of the object inspected through the endoscope, thereby permitting the distance of the object from the forward end portion of the endoscope to be determined on the basis of the relative positions of the light spots in the field of view, said light projecting means being comprised of a first and a second fiber optical system being supplied with light from an external light source, the light therefrom being transmitted through a first and a second collimating lens system respectively located in front of the forward end of said fiber optical system, a first and a second prism respectively located in the optical axis of said collimating lens system, said first prism being spaced a certain distance from said second prism, said prisms being positioned opposite to each other with respect to said objective lens system, thereby permitting the reflected light beam to be directed toward the object within the field of view.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
91 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein each of said two light projecting means comprises a fiber optical system extending from said control housing through said elongated tube to said forward end position and adapted to transmit light supplied thereto at the end adjacent to said control housing by an external light source through said fiber optical system to the forward end thereof, a collimating lens system provided in front of the forward end of said fiber optical system, and light reflecting means located in front of said collimating lens system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
102 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein the improvement comprises deflecting means for deflecting either one or both of said two light beams emitted from said light projecting means and indicating means coupled with said deflecting means so that said indicating means indicates the distance between the object and said forward end portion on the basis of the amount of the operation of said deflecting means so as to bring said two light spots to a predetermined positional relationship in the field of view of the endoscope depending upon the variation in the distance between the object and said forward end portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
121 words
The device according to claim 1 comprising a control mechanism provided in said control housing for controlling the direction of at least one of said two light beams and correspondingly the position of said objective lens system so that the direction of the beam is varied by the operation of said control mechanism and correspondingly the field of view so as to bring the light spot formed thereby on the surface of the object into a predetermined relation such as into registration with that formed by the other light beam thereby permitting the distance of the object from the forward end portion of the endoscope to be determined on the basis of the amount of the operation of said control mechanism.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device according to claim 4 wherein the directions of both of said two light beams are adjustable.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-17 | 1977-12-17 | 1978-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-17 | 1981-12-17 | 1982-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-17 | 1985-12-17 | 1986-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |