Stereo endoscope

[54] STEREO ENDOSCOPE

[75] Inventors: Akihiko Yajima, Kunitachi; Tetsuo Nonami, Hachioji; Masahiko Sasaki, Hachioji; Masao Uehara, Hachioji; Takashi Tsukaya, Hachioji; Kenichi Kikuchi, Hachioji; Hiroki Hibino, Hachioji; Takao Tsuruoka, Hachioji; Hiromasa Suzuki, Akishima, all of Japan

[73] Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan

[21] Appl. No.: 199,212

[22] Filed: May 26, 1988

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data

May 27, 1987 [JP] Japan 62-130363

[51] Int. Q.4 A61B1/06

[52] U.S. a 128/6; 350/96.26;

350/516; 358/98

[58] Field of Search 128/3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8;

358/98; 350/515, 516, 517, 96.19, 96.26

[56] References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

3,520,587 7/1970 Tasaki et al 350/515

4,061,135 12/1977 Widran et al 128/6

4,651,201 3/1987 Schoolman 358/98

4,702,571 10/1987 Barber 350/516

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

55-110208 8/1980 Japan .
57-069839 4/1982 Japan .
61-020488 6/1986 Japan .

Primary Examiner—William H. Grieb
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Armstrong, Nikaido,
Marmelstein, Kubovcik & Murray

[57] ABSTRACT

An apparatus is disclosed which includes a first and a second optical guides inserted in an elongated insertion portion thereof, and which can transmit an optical image, and an optical system with a function of imaging at the end surface of the optical guide. By transmitting an illuminating light from the other end surface to the portion to be observed through one of the optical guides, the portion to be observed is illuminated. While, the optical image transmitted through the other optical guide is introduced into an ocular system or an imaging system. By changing the functions performed by these optical guides, the stereoscopic observation and stereoscopic imaging can be realized.

57 Claims, 21 Drawing Sheets