Back to results
US 6,633,438 B2Granted
Endoscopic video camera with magnetic drive focusing
AssigneeKARL STORZ Imaging, Inc.
InventorThomas J. Anhalt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to a magnetic drive focusing device with at least one lens within a chamber and an adjuster with magnets outside the chamber. Positioned between the lens and the chamber is a second sleeve with helical guide paths. As the adjuster is moved outside the chamber, the magnetic field within the chamber causes the lens within the chamber to move. As the lens rotates, non-magnetic guides which ride in the helical guide paths force the lens to move axially within the device.
Claims10
A focusing device comprising:
- a first sleeve;
- a second sleeve fixedly mounted within said first sleeve, said second sleeve having a groove defining a path of movement;
- a lens mounted within said second sleeve, said lens having a first magnetizable portion;
- an adjuster mounted for movement about said first sleeve, said adjuster including a second magnetizable portion;
- and
- a non-magnetic guide connected to said lens and positioned in said groove such that when said adjuster is moved about said first sleeve, said second magnetizable portion causes said lens to move via a magnetic interaction between said first magnetizable portion and said second magnetizable portion while said guide maintains its axial position relative to said lens.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.