Protective window for endoscope

摘要

The imaging or proximal end surface (18) of a fibre optic endoscope (10) may be coupled to a viewing optic (20). The proximal end surface (18) is protected by means of an optically clear window (30) which is disposed either in contact with the proximal end (18) of the fibre by means of an index matching adhesive (36) or is separated from such proximal end (18). The fibre is positionable with respect to a viewing optic (20) having a focal point (F) on the image plane (18) of the fibre (12). In the former case, both surfaces (32,34) of the window are out of focus. In the latter case only, the remote surface (34) is out of focus. <IMAGE>