Endoscopic image pickup assembly

Abstract

A fixed lens of an optical objective lens system is fixedly retained on a support member which is provided in a rigid tip end section of an endoscopic insertion instrument, along with a movable lens or lenses which are movable toward and away from the fixed lens in the direction of optical axis of the objective lens system. A drive means for the movable lenses is coupled with the support member, while an image sensor means is located at the focus of the objective lens system. A guide means which guides the support member of an optical assembly in the direction of the optical axis is connected to the image sensor means. The support member is slid along the guide means to adjust the optical objective lens system into an in-focus position with respect to the image sensor means. After adjusting the position of the optical objective lens system, the support member is fixed to the guide means by the use of an optical assembly fixation means.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.