A tethered imaging camera encapsulated in a shell lens element of such camera enables viewing from inside and imaging of a biological organ in/from a variety of directions. A portion of camera's optical system together with light source(s) and optical detector mutually cooperated by housing structure inside the shell are moveable/re-orientable within the shell to vary a desired view of the object space without interruption of imaging process. A tether carries electrical but not optical signals to and from the camera and controllable traction cords to move the camera, and a hand-control unit and/or electronic circuitry configured to operate the camera and power its movements. Method(s) of using optical, optoelectronic, and optoelectromechanical sub-systems of the camera.

An illumination source, comprising: (a) at least one coherent light emitting device (CLED) configured for emitting coherent light having an optical path; (b) at least one optical element in said optical path for converting at least a portion of said coherent light to incoherent light, said optical element being configured to emit said incoherent light in a direction; and (c) a light control mechanism (LCM) for altering said direction of said incoherent light.

An endoscope optical system unit according to the present invention, includes, an endoscope illuminating optical system which includes, a light-emitting section, and a first optical-path deflecting prism group which takes in illumination light emitted from the light-emitting section, and irradiates light to a subject upon deflecting an optical path, and the first optical-path deflecting prism group includes three prisms in order from an object side which are, a first prism, a second prism, and a third prism, and the first prism, the second prism, and the third prism are disposed to be mutually adjacent, and a direction of irradiation of the illumination light is let to be variable to a first direction by rotationally moving the first prism with respect to the second prism, and the direction of irradiation of the illumination light is let to be variable to a second direction which differs from the first direction, by rotationally moving the first prism and the second prism integrally, with respect to the third prism; and an endoscope objective optical system, wherein the endoscope objective optical system includes a second optical-path deflecting prism group, and a lens group, and the second optical-path deflecting prism group includes three prisms in order from the subject side, a fourth prism, a fifth prism, and a sixth prism, and the fourth prism, the fifth prism, and the sixth prism are disposed to be mutually adjacent, and a visual field direction is let to be variable to the first direction by rotationally moving the fourth prism with respect to the fifth prism, and the visual field direction is let to be variable to the second direction which differs from the first direction, by rotationally moving the fourth prism and the fifth prism integrally, with respect to the sixth prism, and the first optical-path deflecting prism group and the second optical-path deflecting prism group are disposed such that a third axis of rotation when the fourth prism rotates with respect to the fifth prism, and a first axis of rotation when the first prism of the endoscope illuminating optical system rotates with respect to the second prism, become coaxial, and the first optical-path deflecting prism group and the second optical-path deflecting prism group are disposed such that a fourth axis of rotation when the fourth prism and the fifth prism rotate integrally with respect to the sixth prism, and a second axis of rotation when the first prism and the second prism rotate integrally with respect to the third prism, become coaxial, and both the visual field direction of the endoscope objective optical system and the direction of irradiation of the illumination light of t

An imaging apparatus is adapted for use in an optical instrument having an elongated shaft with a transparent distal end portion. The imaging apparatus includes and image sensor assembly, a first articulating structure, and a second articulating structure mounted on the first articulating structure. First and second lateral side support structures at the lateral sides of the image sensor assembly are each mounted on the second articulating structure so as to position the image sensor assembly in an operating position in the instrument transparent end portion. The connection to the second articulating structure allows an articulation of the image sensor assembly about a lateral articulation axis extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft distal end portion. This lateral articulation is in addition to the ability of the first articulating structure to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft distal end portion.

The invention relates to a lighting system for endoscopic examinations having a lighting unit that includes at least two LED elements for illuminating an area of examination that is to be observed by means of an endoscope optic. To create a lighting system for endoscopic examinations that ensures a constantly sufficient illumination of the area of examination, it is proposed according to the invention that the direction of radiation of the lighting unit can be displaced between a direction essentially perpendicular to the direction of observation of the endoscope optic upon insertion into the area of examination and a direction essentially in the direction of observation of the endoscope optic after insertion into the area of examination.

An endoscope includes a shaft assembly having proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis therebetween. A handle is coupled to the proximal end of the shaft assembly, and an elastomeric body housing an image sensor and at least one LED is comprises a distal end of the shaft. The elastomeric body is deformable between a repose straight insertion profile and a deflected offset profile by the insertion of a tool shaft through the shaft assembly and an expandable-collapsible working channel in the elastomeric body. The viewing angle of the image sensor is moved from a first selected angle to a second selected angle when the elastomeric body is actuated from the repose profile to the deflected offset profile.

An endoscope with a rotating drum or a rotation module, in particular for use as a sterile disposable instrument, having an elongate rigid and/or flexible shaft tube which at a distal end mounts the rotating drum, so as to be rotatable about at least one first axis of rotation, an optical imaging system being arranged in the rotating drum, with the at least one first axis of rotation running approximately transversely to a longitudinal axis of the shaft tube and with the endoscope having at least one control line for rotating the rotating drum. Here, the at least one control line of the rotating drum runs on an outer side/outer face of the shaft tube, and is fastened to the rotating drum at at least one lever distance (a) from the at least one first axis of rotation.

Hybrid endoscope, in particular for sterile medical applications, wherein the endoscope comprises a receiving device for an imaging system and a shaft tube, wherein the receiving device is arranged, in a mounted state, on a distal end of the shaft tube. The endoscope is divided into at least two sub-assemblies, wherein a first sub-assembly comprises at least the receiving device, the imaging system and preferably a supply line of the imaging system as re-usable parts, and a second sub-assembly comprises at least the shaft tube as a part for single use, wherein the two sub-assemblies are able to be brought into releasable operative connection by means of an interface.

A scope system is provided including an elongate tube with a distal portion and a lumen extending therethrough, the distal portion comprising a distal end section comprising a pivot arm, the scope system further comprising a plurality of lights distributed on and connected to the distal end section and the pivot arm. The plurality of lights is configured to be connected by an electrical wire and/or a conductor to a power source.

A tethered imaging camera encapsulated in a shell lens element of such camera enables viewing from inside and imaging of a biological organ in/from a variety of directions. A portion of camera's optical system together with light source(s) and optical detector mutually cooperated by housing structure inside the shell are moveable/re-orientable within the shell to vary a desired view of the object space without interruption of imaging process. A tether carries electrical but not optical signals to and from the camera and controllable traction cords to move the camera, and a hand-control unit and/or electronic circuitry configured to operate the camera and power its movements. Method(s) of using optical, optoelectronic, and optoelectromechanical sub-systems of the camera.