Camera with improved focus mechanism

Details Camera with improved focus mechanism Camera with improved focus mechanism

1998-06-09

2000-02-01

Dvorak, Linda C. M.

Surgery

Endoscope

Having imaging and illumination means

600109, 600131, 600168, 600182, 433 29, A61B 1002

Patent

active

060197218

ABSTRACT:
A focus mechanism having an actuator positioned near the rear of a handheld piece and that allows a lens element to be moved with respect to a stationary image sensor to achieve a range of focus. When implemented as a manual focusing feature of an intraoral dental camera or handpiece, the focus mechanism allows greater control of focus as the user's hand that grasps the actuator (e.g., ring) is not in close proximity to the distal end of the camera which is inserted into the patient's mouth. Maintaining the image sensor stationary also helps increase system reliability. In a particular embodiment, a variable profile cam allows high precision focus with the camera inside the patient's mouth, while still allowing enough focus travel for capturing a head shot or an image of the patient's smile or face when the camera is moved outside the patient's mouth.

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