Abstract: A controller calculates a focal length of an objective optical system on the basis of position information acquired by a position detector and outputs to a focusing unit a signal for moving a movable lens in a focus direction to make the focus of the objective optical system coincide with a focus point specified by a pointer. It is not necessary to equip an autofocus system to a surgical microscope, and automatic focusing is performed by using a navigation system.

Abstract: A heat-insulating bearing structure employs three disks so that peripheral edges of the disks come into contact with a circumferential side face of a rotary shaft, to support the rotary shaft. A contact part between the rotary shaft and each disk is small, and therefore, heat conduction from the rotary shaft to each disk is small. Accordingly, the bearing structure surely supports the rotary shaft even if the rotary shaft is heated to a high temperature. Each disk is provided with fins so that, when rotated, the fins draw in surrounding air and blow out the air from the peripheral edge of the disk toward the contact part between the disk and the rotary shaft, thereby cooling the contact part and surely supporting the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A heliostat includes mirrors. Each mirror is supported with a frame at three points including a fulcrum and movable points. The movable points are provided with electric extendable units, respectively. The electric extendable units are separately controlled to change distances between the mirror and the frame at the movable points, thereby correcting an aberration of the mirror and always directing reflected light from the mirror toward a predetermined position.

Abstract: A heliostat includes mirrors. Each mirror is supported with a frame at three points including a fulcrum and movable points. The movable points are provided with electric extendable units, respectively. The electric extendable units are separately controlled to change distances between the mirror and the frame at the movable points, thereby correcting an aberration of the mirror and always directing reflected light from the mirror toward a predetermined position.

Abstract: A heat-insulating bearing structure employs three disks so that peripheral edges of the disks come into contact with a circumferential side face of a rotary shaft, to support the rotary shaft. A contact part between the rotary shaft and each disk is small, and therefore, heat conduction from the rotary shaft to each disk is small. Accordingly, the bearing structure surely supports the rotary shaft even if the rotary shaft is heated to a high temperature. Each disk is provided with fins so that, when rotated, the fins draw in surrounding air and blow out the air from the peripheral edge of the disk toward the contact part between the disk and the rotary shaft, thereby cooling the contact part and surely supporting the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A heat exchanging structure of a solar heat exchanger 3 includes a housing 5 and a pipe 11. The solar heat exchanger includes a heat-resistant container 8 having an open top and containing a low-melting-point metal 9 and a light receiving plate 10. The housing accommodates the solar heat exchanger. The pipe passes a heat carrier H. The pipe is arranged in a space between the housing and the solar heat exchanger in such a way as not to touch the solar heat exchanger. The heat carrier is surely heated by radiant heat from the solar heat exchanger that is heated to very high temperatures. The light receiving plate has a container-like shape having an open top, and therefore, has a large light receiving area to heat itself to higher temperatures compared with a flat light receiving plate.

Abstract: A holding arm apparatus 1 is configured to connect upper and lower timing pulleys 5A and 6A of a vertical arm unit 4 to each other with a timing belt 15, to widen the range of rotation angle of a horizontal arm unit 5 and allow the position and angle of an endoscope 20 held at a front end of the horizontal arm unit 5 to be widely changed. The horizontal arm unit 5 and a counterweight 6 turn by the same angle, to maintain a weight balance by the counterweight 6. Using the timing belt 15 reduces the total weight and operation noise of the holding arm apparatus 1. Accordingly, the apparatus is appropriate for a medical front.

Abstract: An auxiliary arm attaching structure of a stand apparatus 1 includes a front member 3 that is attached to a support arm 2 of the stand apparatus and has a projection 6. The projection projects in a direction different from a longitudinal direction of the support arm and supports an auxiliary arm 8. Supported with the projection, the auxiliary arm is turnable so that an electronic image display unit 9 attached to a front end of the auxiliary arm is turnable to any position around a surgical microscope 4 supported with the front member.

Abstract: A microdrape 10 covers a surgical microscope system 60 including a surgical microscope 61 and a pair of binoculars 62 independently supported by an arm structure 64. The microdrape 10 has an opening end 6 and a closed end opposite to the opening end 6. The microdrape 10 includes: a cylindrical bag shaped main body 10a having the opening end 6; a first cylindrical bag 1 connected to the main body, 10a wherein the first cylindrical bag 1 has a hood for covering a lens tube of an objective lens 61a of the surgical microscope 61 and projecting portions 9a, 9b for covering lens tubes of eyeglasses 61b of the surgical microscope 61; and a second cylindrical bag 2 connected to the main body 10a, where the second cylindrical bag 2 has projecting portions 9c, 9d for covering lens tubes of eyeglasses 62a of the binoculars 62. A slit 5 is formed between the first cylindrical bag 1 and the second cylindrical bag 2.

Abstract: A surgical microscope system includes a camera 20. The camera 20 includes CCDs 21 and a focusing mechanism (41, 42, 43). If an image displayed on an electronic image display unit 5 is unclear due to a focusing error, the focusing mechanism is operated to focus the image and make the image clearly visible. Without regard to a focusing operation conducted by a doctor D1 on a surgical microscope 4, an assistant D2 on the electronic image display unit is able to manipulate the focusing mechanism and observe clear images on the electronic image display unit.

Abstract: The surgical microscope system includes a first binocular microscope and a first display device. The first binocular microscope includes an objective lens, a first right ocular lens which provides a first image based on a light flux transmitted through the objective lens, and a first left ocular lens which provides a second image based on a light flux transmitted through the objective lens. The first display device can be disposed opposite to or in alignment with the first binocular microscope, and includes a first right-eye image display surface for displaying the first image and a first left-eye image display surface for displaying the second image. The first display device can be reversed about a horizontal axis extending in a direction along which the first right-eye image display surface and the first left-eye image display surface are located in alignment.

Abstract: An optical filter 11 is fixed in an optical path in a light generation unit 6 to cut out light in an infrared region. The optical filter 11 do not deviate from the optical path, and infallibly eliminate light in the infrared region which becomes heat radiation. The optical filter 11 cuts out light whose wavelength is longer than a threshold wavelength that is longer than 805 nm and shorter than 815 nm, and eliminates heat radiation in the infrared region, which includes a wavelength (approximately 825 nm) which is substantially a first peak P of the radiant intensity of the xenon lamp 10.

Abstract: A stereomicroscope has a rotary mirror to switch an optical path of a beam from an objective optical system between a normal optical path A and an image optical path B. Accordingly, a main operator D1 can keep his or her eyes on eyepieces 15 when switching an optical image through the normal optical path A and an electronic image through the image optical path B from one to another. A zooming optical system 10 is horizontally arranged in the normal optical path A and a high-magnification optical path C is formed on a horizontally outer side of the zooming optical system 10, to reduce a vertical dimension of a body of the microscope and secure a wide work space.

Abstract: A surgical microscope system is disclosed. The surgical microscope is comprised of a stand which is comprised of a movable base and a support capable of free motion with keeping a particular orientation relative to the movable base; a stereoscopic surgical microscope linked with the support, which is comprised of a pair of first optical systems so as to provide a first stereoscopic magnified view; and a stereoscopic display device having a movable link with the stand, which is comprised of a display screen for displaying stereoscopic image taken by the first optical systems and a pair of second optical systems as to show the stereoscopic image as a second stereoscopic magnified view.

Abstract: A dental treatment observation system includes a photographing unit supported with a first auxiliary arm at a front end of a support arm extending from a stand and a stereoscopic display unit supported with a second auxiliary arm at the front end of the support arm. The stand allows the photographing unit and stereoscopic display unit together to be widely moved and the first and second auxiliary arms allow the units to be separately moved in optional directions. The system is appropriate for dental treatment and is capable of reducing fatigue of a dentist during treatment.

Abstract: A stereomicroscope includes a microscope main body and a camera for assistant. The microscope main body includes therein an objective optical system, a zoom optical system and an eyepiece optical system. The camera for assistant is detachably mounted to the microscope main body. The microscope main body provides to a main operator a pair of optical images including a certain binocular disparity as viewed from an observation direction of the main operator. The camera for assistant provides to an assistant a pair of electron images including a certain binocular disparity as viewed from an observation direction of the assistant. The observation directions of the main operator and the assistant cross at a certain angle. The camera for assistant outputs the pair of electron images into a stereo viewer which is separated from the microscope main body.

Abstract: An outer side of a receiver is covered with a housing, so that the receiver is not exposed to the open air and no heat of the receiver is taken by winds, to improve thermal efficiency. Although the outer side of the receiver is covered with the housing, a lower side thereof has an opening, so that sunlight reflected by heliostats is introduced through the opening to the inside of the receiver and is surely received by an inner face of the receiver.

Abstract: A light receiving plate floating on the surface of tin, i.e., a low-melting-point heating medium and receiving solar beams is made of solid carbon material entirely coated with a silicon carbide film. Due to the silicon carbide film, the surface of the light receiving plate is black to realize a high absorption ratio of the solar beams. In addition, the light receiving plate is made of the silicon carbide film at least at the surface thereof, to demonstrate excellent heat resistance.

Abstract: An optical measuring system has a first optical measuring instrument and a second optical measuring instrument. The optical measuring system includes a first optical path to guide a first beam from a measuring region to the first optical measuring instrument, a second optical path to guide a second beam from the measuring region to the second optical measuring instrument, an optical system through which the first and second optical paths extend and in which the first and second optical paths are paraxial, a reflection area to change the direction of the first optical path, the second optical path crossing the reflection area, and a light transmission area arranged at a position where the reflection area and second optical path cross each other, the light transmission area having a higher light transmittance than the reflection area.

Abstract: A stereomicroscope includes a microscope main body and a camera for assistant. The microscope main body includes therein an objective optical system, a zoom optical system and an eyepiece optical system. The camera for assistant is detachably mounted to the microscope main body. The microscope main body provides to a main operator a pair of optical images including a certain binocular disparity as viewed from an observation direction of the main operator. The camera for assistant provides to an assistant a pair of electron images including a certain binocular disparity as viewed from an observation direction of the assistant. The observation directions of the main operator and the assistant cross at a certain angle. The camera for assistant outputs the pair of electron images into a stereo viewer which is separated from the microscope main body.