Optical: systems and elements – Compound lens system – Microscope
Patent
1996-03-07
1998-04-21
Henry, Jon W.
Optical: systems and elements
Compound lens system
Microscope
359381, G02B 2122
Patent
active
057424292
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a device for stereoscopic visualization which enables stereoscopic observation of an object. In particular, the present invention relates to a device for stereoscopic visualization wherein the observer can observe a view of the image from a stereomicroscope and a view of the image from a stereoscopic fiberscope, without having to remove his eyes from the eyepieces.
BACKGROUND ART
Surgery on the eyes, brain and other areas demands extremely delicate techniques, and thus, in recent years has been carried out while employing a stereomicroscope to observe the affected area.
As shown in FIG. 15, a stereomicroscope has at least a pair of eyepieces 1 and a pair of objectives 2, through which a left eye optical path 8l and a right eye optical path 8r pass, the left eye optical path 8l corresponding to the left eye and the right eye optical path 8r corresponding to the right eye of the observer 7.
Further, the angle defined by the observed object S1 and the optical axes of the two objectives 2 is designated as the angle of visibility.alpha., while the angle defined by the observed object S2 and the optical axes of the two objectives 2 is designated as the angle of visibility.beta.. The angle of visibility.alpha. for observed object S1, which is at a position closer to the observer, is larger than angle of visibility.beta.. The difference between these two angles is designated as the angle visibility difference.theta..
The observer 7 recognizes the angle visibility.theta. difference as the difference between his distance from observed object S1 and observed object S2. As a result, the observer is able to view the observed object stereoscopically.
Endoscopes (fiberscopes), which in general are widely used in medical exams and treatments, primarily of the digestive system, are increasing in importance. In particular, ultrathin endoscopes of less than 1 mm in diameter have been developed in recent years. These endoscopes can be used not only in the digestive system, but also in areas previously not possible such as extremely narrow, fine lumen, for example, blood vessels, mammary glands, pancreatic ducts, inside the eye, and vessels in the brain.
Accordingly, in delicate surgeries carried out in recent years, a stereomicroscope has been employed to observe the entire image of the surgical area, while an endoscope has been employed for detailed examination.
However, when performing surgery using an endoscope, the difficulty of a delicate operation is compounded if a sense of distance from the image cannot be imparted to the observer.
Thus, the ability to visualize an object stereoscopically is necessary when employing an endoscope as well. Thus, as in the case of the stereomicroscope described above, a stereoscopic endoscope provided with a two system fiberscope for the left and right eyes of the observer was developed.
The principle behind one example of this device will now be explained with reference to FIG. 16. The stereoscopic endoscope explained in FIG. 16 is provided with eyepieces 3, guided optical paths 4 comprising an optical fiber, objectives 5 and a light guide 6 for the purpose of illumination. Left eye optical path 8l and right eye optical path 8r, corresponding to the left and right eyes of the observer 7, pass through eyepieces 3, guided optical paths 4 and objectives 5.
The angle visibility difference.theta. between the angle of visibility.alpha. defined by the Observed object S1 and the optical axes of the two objectives 5 and the angle of visibility.beta. defined by the observed object S2 and the optical axes of the two objectives 5 is recognized by the observer 7 as the difference in his distance from observed object S1 and observed object S2, thus enabling stereoscopic visualization.
The combined employment of a stereomicroscope and a stereoscopic endoscope has been increasing.
However, in order to use a stereoscopic endoscope after using a stereomicroscope, the observer must shift to the stereoscopic endoscope by removing his eyes from the stereo
REFERENCES:
patent: 2143632 (1939-01-01), Ott
patent: 4834518 (1989-05-01), Barber
patent: 5095887 (1992-03-01), Leon et al.
Koyama Hiroyoshi
Nakatate Kennichi
Tsumanuma Takashi
Fujikura Ltd.
Henry Jon W.
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