Endoscope with position display for zoom lens unit and imaging device

An endoscope apparatus comprising:

• a handle assembly;
• an outer tube having a distal end and proximal end, with said proximal end anchored to said handle assembly;
• an inner tube having a distal end and a proximal end, said inner tube being mounted within said outer tube and having its proximal end anchored to said handle assembly;
• an objective lens unit mounted in the distal end of said inner tube;
• a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, said shaft being disposed within and movable along the axis of said inner tube;
• a solid state imaging device disposed within said inner tube and attached to said distal end of said shaft so as to be movable therewith along the axis of said inner tube, said imaging device having a light-receiving surface to for receiving an image transmitted by said objective lens unit and being capable of generating an output signal representative of the image transmitted by said objective lens unit;
• a zoom lens unit disposed within said inner tube between said objective lens unit and said imaging device, said zoom lens unit being moveable along the axis of said inner tube relative to said objective lens unit so as to cause the magnification of the image passed by said objective lens unit to be changed in accordance with the axial position of said zoom lens unit in relation to said objective lens unit;
• first and second drive means attached to said handle assembly;
• a first motion-transmitting means coupling said first drive lens means to said shaft, whereby operation of said first drive means will cause axial movement of said imaging device relative to said objective lens unit;
• a second motion-transmitting means coupling said second drive means to said zoom lens unit whereby operation of said second drive means will cause axial movement of said zoom lens unit relative to said objective lens unit and said zoom lens unit;
• a space between said outer and inner tubes;
• light transmitting means in said space for transmitting light to illuminate an object viewed by said objective lens unit;
• means attached to said handle assembly for connecting said proximal end of said light transmitting means to a light source;
• control means for operating said first and second drive means;
• display means responsive to said imaging device output signal for generating a video reproduction of the image passed by said objective lens unit;
• and
• electronic means responsive to said imaging device output signal for causing said display means to generate a video image representative of the position of at least said zoom lens unit or said imaging device.

An endoscope apparatus comprising:

• an inner tube having a distal end and a proximal end;
• an outer tube surrounding said inner tube;
• a solid state imaging device mounted within and movable along said inner tube;
• an objective lens unit mounted within and fixed to the distal end of said inner tube;
• a zoom lens unit mounted within and movable along said inner tube;
• said zoom lens unit being disposed between said objective lens unit and said imaging device;
• a plurality of light-transmitting fibers disposed between said inner and outer tubes, said fibers extending substantially to the distal end of said inner tube so that light transmitted thereby will illuminate the objective field;
• first bi-directional electromechanical means for moving said zoom lens unit along said inner tube toward or away from said objective lens unit, said first electromechanical means comprising a first reversible electrical motor having an output shaft and first gear means coupling said output shaft to said zoom lens unit, whereby energization of said first motor will cause movement of said zoom lens unit along said inner tube according to the mode of energization of said motor;
• and
• second bidirectional electromechanical means for moving said imaging device along said inner tube toward or away from said objective lens unit and said zoom lens unit, said second electromechanical means comprising a second reversible electrical motor having an output shaft and second gear means coupling the output shaft of said second electrical motor to said imaging device, whereby energization of said second motor will cause movement of said imaging device along said inner tube according to the mode of energization of said second motor. ;
• a solid state imaging device disposed within said tube and attached to said distal end of said shaft so as to be movable therewith along the axis of said tube, said imaging device having an a light receiving surface for receiving an image transmitted by said objective lens unit and being capable of generating an output signal representative of the image transmitted by said objective lens unit;
• display means responsive to said imaging device output signal for generating a video reproduction of the image passed by said objective lens unit;
• and
• means responsive to said imaging device output signal for causing said display means to generate a video image representative of the position of at least said zoom lens unit or said imaging device.