# US 9,433,341 B2 · Compensated relays for reducing number of elements in rod lens endoscopes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,433,341 B2 - Document ID: US9433341B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/429,853 - Filed: 2012-03-26 - Published: 2013-09-26 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2012-03-26 - Assignees: KARL STORZ Imaging, Inc. - Applicants: George E. Duckett, III - Inventors: George E. Duckett, III - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9433341B2 ## CPC - A61B 1/002: having rod-lens arrangements (A61B1/055 takes precedence) - A61B 1/00163: {Optical arrangements (A61B1/002, A61B1/06 take precedence)} - G02B 23/2446: {of the image relay (G02B23/26 takes precedence)} - A61B 1/00096: {Optical elements} - A61B 1/055: having rod-lens arrangements - A61B 1/07: using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres - G02B 13/0095: {Relay lenses or rod lenses (in instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies G02B23/2446)} - H04N 23/555: {for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract An endoscope and optical system for an endoscope having rod lenses and correction lens groups where the number of relay lens systems is greater than the number of correction lens groups in the endoscope and optical system of the endoscope. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An endoscope comprising: a shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis spanning the proximal end and the distal end; an optical system disposed in the shaft, the optical system including an objective lens system, and a first relay lens system, the first relay lens system having at least two rod lenses arranged in a series, each of the at least two rod lenses a singlet lens, and one doublet correction lens located between the at least two rod lenses and no other correction lens in the first relay lens system; and a plurality of additional relay lens pairs each having two symmetric singlet rod lenses, the plurality of additional relay lens pairs arranged in series with the first relay lens system, such that the number of additional relay lens pairs is greater than the number of relay lens systems that have a correction lens group. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The endoscope of claim 1, wherein the plurality of additional relay lens pairs does not have a correction lens group. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The endoscope of claim 1, wherein the first relay lens system is located between a second relay lens system and a third relay lens system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The endoscope of claim 1, wherein the first relay lens system is located between a second relay lens system and the objective lens system. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The endoscope of claim 1, further comprising an ocular lens. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The endoscope of claim 5, wherein the first relay lens system is located between a second relay lens system and the ocular lens. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The endoscope of claim 1, wherein the one doublet correction lens is cemented or uncemented. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The endoscope of claim 1, wherein only one correction lens group is used in the entire optical system. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The endoscope of claim 1, wherein the plurality of additional relay lens pairs does not have a correction lens group, and only one correction lens group is used in the entire optical system to correct aberration of the plurality of additional relay lens pairs. ### Claim 10 An optical system for an endoscope comprising: a first relay lens system, the first relay lens system having at least two rod lenses arranged in a series, each of the at least two rod lenses a singlet lens, and one doublet correction lens located between the at least two rod lenses and no other correction lens in the first relay lens system; and a plurality of additional relay lens pairs each having two symmetric singlet rod lenses arranged in a series and no correction lens group, so that the number of additional relay lens pairs is greater than the number of relay lens systems that have a correction lens group. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The optical system of claim 10, wherein the correction lens corrects aberration of the relay lens system and an objective lens system. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The optical system of claim 10, wherein the correction lens corrects aberration of an ocular lens. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The optical system of claim 10, wherein the correction lens does not contribute to distortion, lateral chromatic aberration, astigmatism or field curvature. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The optical system of claim 10, wherein the first relay lens system is located between a second relay lens system and a third relay lens system. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The endoscope of claim 10, wherein only one correction lens group is used in the entire optical system. ### Claim 16 Two or more relay lens systems for an optical system of an endoscope comprising: a first relay lens system comprising at least two rod lenses arranged in a series, each of the at least two rod lenses a singlet lens, and one doublet correction lens located between the at least two rod lenses and no other correction lens in the first relay lens system; and a plurality of additional relay lens pairs each having two symmetric singlet rod lenses arranged in a series, so that the number of additional relay lens pairs is greater than the number of relay lens systems that have a correction lens group. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The two or more relay lens systems of claim 16, wherein the first relay lens system is located between a second relay lens system and a third relay lens system. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The two or more relay lens systems of claim 16, wherein the correction lens corrects aberration of the two or more relay lens systems. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The two or more relay lens systems of claim 16, wherein the plurality of additional relay lens system does not have a correction lens group. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The two or more relay lens systems of claim 16, wherein only one correction lens group is used in the entire optical system.