There is provided an endoscope objective optical system which enables to change a field of view to an arbitrary direction without bending an endoscope, even in a narrow space.

The endoscope objective optical system includes an optical-path deflecting prism group, and a lens group, wherein, a visual-field direction of the endoscope objective optical system is let to be variable by moving a prism in the optical-path deflecting prism group, and, the optical-path deflecting prism group includes in order from an object side, three prisms namely, 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 in mutual proximity, and the visual-field direction is let to be variable to a first direction by the first prism undergoing a rotational movement with respect to the second prism, and furthermore, the visual-field direction is let to be variable to a second direction which differs from the first direction, by the first prism and the second prism undergoing rotational movement integrally with respect to the third prism, wherein the endoscope objective optical system satisfies the following conditional expression (1)

0.9≦L/FL≦1.5  (1) where, L denotes a total air conversion length (unit mm) of the first prism, the second prism, and the third prism in the optical-path deflecting prism group, and here the total air conversion length is a value obtained by summing up a value obtained by dividing a length of an optical axis passing through the first prism by a refractive index for a d-line nd1 of a glass material of the first prism, a value obtained by dividing a length of an optical axis passing through the second prism by a refractive index for the d-line nd2 of a glass material of the second prism, and a value obtained by dividing a length of an optical axis passing through the third prism by a refractive index for the d-line nd3 of a glass material of the third prism, and FL denotes a focal length (unit mm) of the endoscope objective optical system.

The subject matter discloses a multi-sensor endoscope having a dynamic field of view comprising an elongated shaft terminating with a tip section; a maneuvering section connected to the elongated shaft; at least two sensors, wherein at least one sensor is placed behind the tip section, on the maneuvering section; and one or more illuminators located on external surface of the shaft. In some cases, the sensors include a camera. The subject matter also discloses a multi-sensor endoscopy system comprising an endoscope comprising a handle and a controller, such that the maneuvering section is controlled by the controller.

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.

Methods and apparatuses for enlarging the optical scan angle of imaging probes are provided. The optical scan angle of endoscopic probes can be increased by employing the “Snell's Window” effect. An endoscopic probe can include an endoscope shell, a device for capturing electromagnetic radiation, and a liquid or gel provided between the device for capturing electromagnetic radiation and the endoscope shell. The endoscope probe can further include a first mirror placed such that electromagnetic radiation entering through the endoscope shell can bounce off the first mirror and enter the device for capturing electromagnetic radiation. The first mirror can be a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirror.

A vision system that may be used in a catheter or similar guiding instrument includes receptors distributed in an annular area. Each of the receptors has a field of view covering only a portion of an object environment, and the field of view of each of the receptors overlaps with at least one of the fields of view of the other receptors. A processing system can receive image data from the receptors and combine image data from the receptors to construct a visual representation of the entirety of the object environment.

Rotatable, oblique-viewing stereoendoscope including a dual-pupil aperture divided to a first pupil and a second pupil, a proximal objective assembly positioned proximally to the dual-pupil aperture, a first image sensor configured to detect a first image focused by the proximal objective assembly and a second image sensor configured to detect a second image focused by the proximal objective assembly, a relay system positioned distally to the dual-pupil aperture and a front optical system positioned distally to the relay system, the front optical system including a folding prism, wherein the front optical system is configured to reimage the dual-pupil aperture at a distal end thereof, thereby producing an image of the first pupil and an image of the second pupil at a distal pupil plane and wherein the stereoendoscope does not include a negative power lens positioned distally to the folding prism.

An endoscope and methods of use thereof is provided with at least one multi-functional, multi-directional arm supporting a plurality of imaging, lighting and other sensory elements. The multi-functional arms provide a mounting platform upon which cameras, lights and sensors may be mounted to generate multiple-angled images and video, arena-like lighting and other data relevant to performing a diagnostic or MIS procedure. The multi-directional arms may be inserted through a single portal in the endoscope and deployed in multiple directions from a single portal once inserted into a body cavity. The pitch, roll, length and curvature of each of the extending arms may be individually or jointly adjusted to create a customized view of an internal space during an endoscopic procedure. The extending arms may also include communication elements to wirelessly transmit the images and other data generated by the sensory elements to a remote computing and display device.

An endoscope includes: an image pickup portion including an image pickup device; an optical axis bending optical system; an operation input portion which pivots; an operation conversion portion that resolves an input of the operation input portion and generate a plurality of outputs; and an operation transmission portion that transmits the outputs of the operation conversion portion to a plurality of movable portions. The optical axis bending optical system includes a first prism rotatably supported around a second optical axis, and a second prism rotatably supported around a third optical axis. The operation transmission portion includes: an image pickup portion interlocking portion rotatably supporting the image pickup portion; and a prism rotation transmission portion including a first transmission member that rotates the first prism around the second optical axis, and a second transmission member that rotates the second prism around the third optical axis integrally with the first prism.

An endoscope has an insertion portion inserted through a living body, an illumination fiber arranged at a distal end of the insertion portion and irradiates the living body with illumination light, a detection fiber which detects return light from the living body, an actuator which swings a free end of the illumination fiber, and a ferrule which has a through-hole based on a diameter of the illumination fiber and is arranged between the illumination fiber and the actuator. The actuator has an actuator arranged at a first side face of the ferrule and an actuator arranged at a second side face of the ferrule that is different from a face point-symmetric to the first side face with respect to an axial direction of the illumination fiber.

An object of the invention is to provide an endoscope capable of continuously grasping a direction which a distal end portion of an endoscope faces even when a bending operation is performed. The endoscope of the invention is provided with: a first image pickup optical system provided at a distal end of an insertion portion; a bending portion provided in a vicinity of a distal end portion of the insertion portion and configured to be bendingly operated by a proximal side operation; and a second image pickup optical system disposed on the bending portion and configured so that the distal end of the insertion portion is included within a field-of-view angle.