Replaceable lens assembly for video laparoscope.

摘要

A video laparoscope has a miniature video camera (20, 23, 30) disposed at the distal end (12) of its insertion tube (11). A removably installed tubular lens cell (30) contains one or more focussing lenses (38). The lens cell has a male-threaded first end (32) and a second end on which is formed a radial flange (40) of a predetermined diameter. A tubular lens retainer canister (20) is fixedly mounted in the distal end (12) of the insertion tube, and has an outer distal portion (48) with a diameter to match the diameter of the flange (40). A sealing portion (45) adjacent to this has a smaller diameter, and biases against an O-ring or similar sealing member (37). A female-threaded proximal portion (44) receives the male-threaded first portion of the lens cell. <IMAGE>