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Patent US4858002A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4858002A
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Wide-angle objective for endoscopes
Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
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Filing: 1988-04-11
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Granted: 1989-08-15
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Expires: 2008-04-11
Abstract
Abstract A wide-angle objective for endoscopes, in particular for video endoscopes comprises fibre image conductors or CCD image transducers, in which known instruments are taken as a basis, in which a distally positioned objective comprises a meniscus lens with its concave surface facing towards the object, as well as another optical component located on the image side. To secure an uncomplicated structure, adequate image quality, a wide object field angle and short structural length, the image-side optical component is also produced as a meniscus lens.
Inventors
- 👤 Jurgen Zobel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:09
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B23/00; G02B23/24; G02B23/2407; G02B23/2423; G02B23/243; G02B9/00; G02B9/04; G02B9/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A wide-angle objective for an endoscope, said objective having a distal side facing an object and an image side, a meniscus being located at the distal side with a concave first surface facing towards the object, another optical component being of the meniscus, the improvements comprising said meniscus being a distal meniscus with said first surface having a first radius r1, said distal meniscus having a second surface with a second radius r2 facing toward said another optical component, said another optical component being a proximal meniscus having a first surface with a radius r3 facing toward the distal meniscus and a second surface with a radius r4 facing towards said image side of the objective, said objective having a field of view angle α and an overall focal length of F, said distal meniscus having a focal length of f1 and said proximal meniscus having a focal length f2, and the proximal and distal menisci having the following dimensions: ##EQU2## wherein nd is an index of refraction for a wavelength of 580 nm; and Vd is an abbe coefficient for a wavelength of 580 nm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A wide-angle objective for an endoscope, said objective having a distal side facing an object and an image side, a meniscus being located at the distal side with a concave first surface facing towards the object, another optical component being of the meniscus, the improvements comprising said meniscus being a distal meniscus with said first surface having a first radius r1, said distal meniscus having a second surface with a second radius r2 facing toward said another optical component, said another optical component being a proximal meniscus having a first surface with a radius r3 facing toward the distal meniscus and a second surface with a radius r4 facing towards said image side of the objective, said objective having a field of view angle α and an overall focal length of F, said distal meniscus having a focal length of f1 and said proximal meniscus having a focal length f2, and the proximal and distal menisci having the following dimensions: ##EQU2## wherein nd is an index of refraction for a wavelength of 580 nm; and Vd is an abbe coefficient for a wavelength of 580 nm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A wide-angle objective according to claim 1, wherein the second radius r4 of the proximal meniscus is infinity so that the proximal meniscus is a plano-convex lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A wide-angle objective according to claim 1, wherein said objective has a structural length L, said endoscope being a video endoscope with a semiconductor image transducer having a sensor surface with a diagonal dimension D along the sensor surface, said length L and diagonal dimension D having a relationship of L<2D.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A wide-angle objective according to claim 3, wherein the second radius r4 of the proximal meniscus infinity so that the proximal meniscus is a plano-convex lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A wide-angle objective according to claim 1, wherein said objective has a structural length L, said endoscope having a fiber image conductor with an image entry surface with a diameter D, said length L and diameter D having a relationship of L<2D.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A wide-angle objective according to claim 5, wherein the second radius r4 of the proximal meniscus is infinity so that the proximal meniscus is a plano-convex lens.
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) | 1992-08-14 | 1993-02-13 | 1993-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-08-14 | 1997-02-13 | 1997-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-08-14 | 2001-02-13 | 2001-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |