Endoscope with Electrically Adjustable Liquid Crystal Adaptive Lens

摘要

Various embodiments of an endoscope capable of varying a focal length electrically are disclosed. In one embodiment, the endoscope comprises an optical imaging system within an inner portion of the elongate tube, wherein the optical imaging system comprises a liquid crystal adaptive lens (LCAL) comprising a ground plate, a first reference plate, a first liquid crystal layer and a first plurality of closed-loop electrodes configured to receive variable control voltages and a control system configured to adjust variable control voltages. In another embodiment, the LCAL in the endoscope may further comprise a second reference plate, a second liquid crystal layer and a second plurality of closed-loop electrodes.

主权项

1. An endoscope capable of electrically varying a focal length comprising:
an elongate tube; a light source; a window at a distal end of the elongate tube; an optical imaging system within an inner portion of the elongate tube, comprising a liquid crystal adaptive lens (LCAL) comprising
a ground plate,a first reference plate connected to the ground plate by a first connecting member,a first liquid crystal layer disposed between the ground plate and the first reference plate, anda first plurality of closed-loop electrodes disposed on the first reference plate in a concentric circular pattern, configured to receive a first plurality of variable control voltages; a control system configured to adjust the first plurality of variable control voltages; and a viewing system configured to receive an image from the optical imaging system.