Rod lens relay system with reduced chromatic aberration
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Publication Number
US-12078795-B2
Publication Date
2024-09-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
Improved fluoresced imaging (FI) endoscope devices and systems are provided to enhance use of endoscopes with FI and visible light capabilities. An endoscope device is provided for endoscopy imaging in a white light and a fluoresced light mode. A relay system includes an opposing pair of rod lens assemblies positioned symmetrically with respect to a central airspace. The rod lens assemblies include a meniscus lens positioned immediately adjacent to a central airspace and with the convex surface facing the airspace, a first lens having positive power with a convex face positioned adjacent to the inner face of the meniscus lens, a rod lens adjacent to the first lens having positive power and an outer optical manipulating structure selected from various designs providing chromatic aberration correction.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a relay system for an endoscope that uses an opposing pair of rod lens assemblies positioned symmetrically with respect to a central airspace. Each rod lens assembly includes a meniscus lens positioned immediately adjacent to the central airspace with the convex surface facing the airspace, a first lens having positive power with a convex face positioned adjacent to the inner face of the meniscus lens, and a rod lens with beam passing faces.
An outer optical manipulating structure is selected to provide chromatic aberration correction by manipulating light from across an entire spectrum to follow the same sequence of optical surfaces and come to a common focus in a common image plane. The sequence includes the meniscus lens, the first lens having positive power, the rod lens, and the outer optical manipulating structure, which is selected from a plano second face of the rod lens positioned adjacent to a plano-convex lens with an aspheric convex surface, a positive powered lens with a separation gap, or a second plano convex lens.
In example embodiments, the relay system enables common-focus imaging for light across deep blue through near IR, approximately 400–900 nm, and can additionally correct astigmatism. Multiple example embodiments provide quantified focal shift reductions across the spectrum, and lens material/property constraints are applied for the anomalous partial dispersion positive-power lens and for crown glass lens material used for other lenses.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims that cover a chromatic aberration correcting relay system for an endoscope using a symmetrically positioned opposing pair of rod lens assemblies and a common-focus condition across the blue region through the near infrared region. Each independent claim specifies the main optical sequence of elements and how chromatic aberration is corrected so light follows the same sequence of optical surfaces to come to a common focus in a common image plane.
Symmetric opposing rod lens relay around central airspace
A relay system for an endoscope comprising an opposing pair of rod lens assemblies positioned symmetrically with respect to a central airspace, wherein each rod lens assembly includes a meniscus lens positioned adjacent to the central airspace with a convex surface facing the airspace and subsequent optical elements arranged to follow the same sequence of optical surfaces through the relay system.
Chromatic aberration correction to a common focus via optical sequence
The meniscus lens, the first lens having positive power, the rod lens, and an outer optical manipulating structure together provide chromatic aberration correction by manipulating light from across an entire spectrum, from the blue region through the near infrared region, to follow the same sequence of optical surfaces and come to a common focus in a common image plane.
Anomalous partial dispersion positive-power first lens
A first lens having positive power with a convex face positioned adjacent to the inner face of the meniscus lens, the first lens formed of a material having anomalous partial dispersion.
Outer optical manipulating structure selected from listed configurations
An outer optical manipulating structure selected from the group consisting of a plano second face of the rod lens positioned adjacent to a plano-convex lens with an aspheric convex surface, a positive powered lens with a convex face facing the second plano face of the rod lens with a separation gap, or a second plano convex lens.
Across both independent claims, the core coverage is a chromatic aberration correcting relay for an endoscope that uses a symmetrically positioned opposing pair of rod lens assemblies around a central airspace and manipulates light across an entire spectrum from the blue region through the near infrared so it follows the same sequence of optical surfaces and comes to a common focus in a common image plane.
Stated Advantages
Chromatic aberration correction by manipulating light from the blue region through the near infrared so it comes to a common focus in a common image plane.
Common-focus imaging across the blue region through the near infrared region.
Focal shift reduction across the spectrum in example embodiments.
Chromatic aberration correction can additionally include correction for astigmatism.
Documented Applications
An endoscope FI/visible-light imaging system integrated into an image capture device with visible and fluoresced-light sensors.
Fluorescence imaging (FI) and visible light imaging using the endoscope relay with system operation described as generic camera head operation.
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