Patent ID: 7758498

Claim:
An endoscope having distal and proximal end portions and comprising: A) an outer housing subassembly including: i) a first tubular sheath with a central passage therethrough, and ii) a proximal optical body attached to said first tubular sheath adjacent the proximal end with a central passage therethrough whereby said outer housing subassembly has open distal and proximal ends, B) an optics subassembly including: i) a second tubular sheath in said central passage intermediate said open distal end and said optical body, ii) optical elements including an objective lens system within said second tubular sheath, and iii) a first positioning structure fixed to said second tubular sheath adjacent the proximal end thereof with an external, circumferential band with proximal and distal radial edges, C) a second positioning structure with a proximal radial edge within said central passage for axial displacement therein adjacent the proximal end thereof, said outer housing subassembly and said second positioning structure including complementary means for adjusting the axial position of said second positioning structure relative to said outer housing subassembly whereby the engagement of said circumferential band distal radial edge and said second positioning structure proximal radial edge establishes the axial position of said optics subassembly in said outer housing subassembly, and D) an eyecup attached to the proximal end of said outer housing subassembly, said eyecup having a central annular portion for engaging said circumferential band proximal edge thereby fixing the axial position of said optics subassembly.