Optical: systems and elements – Lens – Fluid
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-06
2001-04-03
Sugarman, Scott J. (Department: 2873)
Optical: systems and elements
Lens
Fluid
C359S797000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06212015
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to rod lenses of a type comprising a sleeve, a correcting lens at each end of the sleeve, and a contained fluid. Such rod lenses are useful, as relay lenses, in medical or technical endoscopes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Rod lenses of the type noted above are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,892,625, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Rod lenses according to this invention are similar in certain respects to but differ in other respects from rod lenses disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,892,625.
Reference is made to the description of the prior art in U.S. Pat. No. 5,892,625, from column 1, line 16, through column 2, line 61, and to the several references cited on its title page, namely U.S. Pat. No. 2,171,640, U.S. Pat. No. 3,257,902, U.S. Pat. No. 3,364,816, U.S. Pat. No. 3,799,656, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,168,882. Reference is made to the description of optical glasses and optical liquids in U.S. Pat. No.5,892,625, in column 5, lines 1 through 57.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides a rod lens of the type noted above, which is durable, inexpensive, and energy efficient, and which can be advantageously used in a medical or technical endoscope. The rod lens comprises a sleeve having a correcting lens at each of its opposite ends and a containing a light-transmitting fluid.
The correcting lens at one of the opposite ends of the sleeve is convex and the correcting lens at the other end of the sleeve is non-convex. If the non-convex lens is planar, the rod lens may be then characterized as plano-convex, which is preferred, or as convexo-planar. If the non-convex lens is concave, the rod lens may be then characterized as concavo-convex, which is preferred, or as convexo-concave.
The light-transmitting fluid may exhibit optical properties of flint glass or of crown glass. Preferably, the light-transmitting fluid is be water, which exhibits optical properties of crown glass, or a non-aqueous liquid. Preferably, whether or not a liquid, the light-transmitting fluid constitutes the sole contents of an enclosed space defined by the sleeve and by the correcting lenses.
Optical properties ofthe rod lens depend upon whether the rod lens is plano-convex or concavo-convex and upon whether the light-transmitting fluid exhibits optical properties of flint glass or of crown glass.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of this invention are evident from the following description of two contemplated embodiments of this invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2171640 (1939-09-01), Berek
patent: 3257902 (1966-06-01), Hopkins
patent: 3364816 (1968-01-01), Jeffree
patent: 3799656 (1974-03-01), Fleischman
patent: 4168882 (1979-09-01), Hopkins
patent: 5892625 (1999-04-01), Heimer
Lester Evelyn A.
Radiant Optics Inc.
Rockey Milnamow & Katz Ltd.
Sugarman Scott J.
LandOfFree
Rod lenses does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Rod lenses, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Rod lenses will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2491204