Abstract: An inserting instrument includes a first flexible tube section having a flexibility lower than a spiral tube, a second flexible tube section having a flexibility lower than the spiral tube and equal to or higher than the first flexible tube section in a state where the second flexible tube section is not covered with the spiral tube. The flexibility of the second flexible tube section is lower than that of the first flexible tube section when the second flexible tube section is covered with the spiral tube. The inserting instrument includes a third flexible tube section provided on the proximal direction side with respect to the second flexible tube section and having a flexibility lower than the first flexible tube section.

Abstract: An endoscope can include an elongate, manipulable shaft with a distal-end visualization element and a handle body comprising at least one control surface for manipulating a distal region of the shaft, where the handle body includes a passage through which a length of the shaft is passable, and where the handle body includes a novel connection structure configured for firmly, securely, and removably mounting the handle to a channel of another endoscope in a manner axially aligning the passage with the channel to provide a path of communication for the shaft. A dual medical endoscope system can be constructed including a first and a second medical endoscope, where the first endoscope comprises an accessory channel with a proximal mounting port providing access thereto, and where the second endoscope comprises a handle body that is securely and removably attached to the proximal mounting port.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an endoscopic fluid control valve. By having just one fluid outlet, the structure of the endoscopic fluid control valve is made simpler with interior space saving. There is no need for a one-way check valve at an operational portion of the endoscope to prevent fluid backflow, and this makes it easy to clean. An embodiment includes valve housing, valve stem, valve core, elastic component, button, first seal, second seal, third seal, fourth seal, gas inlet, fluid inlet and fluid outlet.

Abstract: An endoscope, exoscope or microscope, including an optical fiber bundle for transmitting light from the proximal end to the distal end, the optical fiber bundle showing a contiguous bundle at the proximal end and a plurality of partial bundles or else individual fibers at the distal end. Furthermore, it shows a light source for coupling light into the one proximal end of the optical fiber bundle and including a multiplicity of individually actuatable individual-light sources arranged in an array-like manner, and a control unit for actuating the individual-light sources using an assignment function which represents the assignment of a proximal fiber end to a partial bundle. Here, the proximal ends of the fibers which are assigned to one partial bundle are arranged on a surface in such a way that proximal ends of fibers assigned to a different partial bundle are arranged therebetween.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: an imaging element that generates an image signal of a subject; an observation method determining unit that determines, based on identification information indicating types of a control device connected to the imaging device, whether the control device adopts a first observation method for processing an image signal indicating a plurality of images of the subject per one frame period or a second observation method for processing an image signal indicating a single image of the subject per one frame period; and a data reducing unit. If the control device adopts the second observation method, the data reducing unit reduces a data amount of the image signal to be transmitted to the control device per unit time such that a transmission rate indicating the data amount of the image signal per unit time is acceptable to the control device that adopts the second observation method.

Abstract: A surgical device, an outer tube, an endoscope and a treatment tool that have a simple configuration and excellent operability are provided. The outer tube includes a slider in an outer tube body. When the endoscope and the treatment tool are inserted into the outer tube, the endoscope and treatment tool are held by an endoscope holding part and a treatment tool holding part each being provided in the slider, and are combined into a single unit. Consequently, when the treatment tool is moved in the axial direction, the endoscope is moved in the axial direction in interlock with the movement. The outer tube is configured such that the inner diameter of the opening type hermetic valve part for the endoscope that is provided at a valve member is smaller than the inner diameter of the elastic member that is provided for causing the endoscope holding part to hold the endoscope.