Stereoscopic endoscope

Abstract

Two side-by-side optical paths transmit stereoscopic right side and left side images onto the surface of a single image sensing chip. The single image sensing chip may be placed at various orientations with respect to the lens trains in the optical paths. In some embodiments a single prism is used to turn the light for both the right side and left side images onto the single image sensing chip. In other embodiments one prism is used to turn the light for the right side image and another prism is used to turn the light for the left side image, and the reflective surfaces of the two prisms are substantially coplanar such that the right side and left side images are incident on the single image sensor chip.

1 . A stereoscopic endoscope comprising:
 a first lens train;   a second lens train;   a prism; and   an image sensor array;   wherein light for a right side image of an object passes through the first lens train and through a first portion of the prism to be incident on a right side image area of the image sensor array; and   wherein light for a left side image of the object passes through the second lens train and through a second portion of the prism to be incident on a left side image area of the image sensor array.   
     
     
         2 - 17 . (canceled)