Abstract: A heliostat 5 for use in a sunlight concentration system for utilizing sunlight as energy according to this invention has a plurality of small concave mirror elements 8 and reflects and focuses sunlight reflected off the individual concave mirror elements to a light concentration portion as if upon reflection off a single large concave mirror 9. The angles of the concave mirror elements 8 are changed to define a single concave mirror having a predetermined curvature. When the incident angle of sunlight with respect to the concave mirror is large, the curvature is reduced (like a shallow dish). When the incident angle is small, the curvature is increased (like a deep dish).

Abstract: A first switch for performing both a weight balancing operation for a main parallel linkage and a weight balancing operation for a supplemental parallel linkage is provided separately from a second switch for only performing a weight balancing operation for the supplemental parallel linkage. An operator can press the second switch during surgery to only correct a slightly unbalanced state of the supplemental parallel linkage in a short period of time, resulting in increased operability of the operation microscope. While the first switch is provided on an operating panel at a stand body, the second switch is provided at a lower part of a distal link located above an operating space for the operation microscope. It is thus easy for an operator to press the second switch during surgery.

Abstract: A non-contact surface configuration measuring method is provided which allows for accurate measurement of a surface which is at a steep angle to a laser probe. Specific areas including parts inclined ±30° or more from an optimum measurement state relative to the laser probe are measured after a workpiece is rotated such that the surface within the specific areas is less than ±30°. Therefore, accurately measured data on the specific areas can be obtained even in a different coordinate system from that of a general area.

Abstract: An autonomous heliostat (1) having an independent autonomous control function and eliminating the need for a complicated control by a computer or the like is provided. The heliostat includes a target sensor (19) for controlling reflected light (R) from a mirror component (5) to direct it to the target sensor 19, and a search sensor (12) for catching sunlight (S) to guide reflected light from the mirror component to the target sensor, thereby to autonomously start control by the target sensor.

Abstract: An autonomous heliostat (1) having an independent autonomous control function and eliminating the need for a complicated control by a computer or the like is provided. The heliostat includes a target sensor (19) for controlling reflected light (R) from a mirror component (5) to direct it to the target sensor 19, and a search sensor (12) for catching sunlight (S) to guide reflected light from the mirror component to the target sensor, thereby to autonomously start control by the target sensor.

Abstract: A fixed-high-power-switching microscope including a usual variable power optical system which can be switched to a fixed high power high resolution optical system, as necessary, is provided. The microscope includes a second optical axis for the fixed high power bypassing the variable power optical system. A prism (reflecting element) movable into and out of a first optical axis switches a viewing optical path from the first optical axis for the variable usual power to the second optical axis for the fixed high power, as necessary, providing a clear magnified image at high magnification and high resolution.

Abstract: A rotary support structure for a surgical microscope is provided in which the surgical microscope can be rotated for more than one turn and can still be stopped within a number of turns to have no adverse effect on internal wirings. Since a first groove 11 and a second groove 12 in the shape of a partial arc are formed respectively on the front and back of a rotary plate 9 disposed between an end member 3 and a rotary body 6, and further a first protrusion 13 and a second protrusion 14 being formed on the end member 3 and the rotary body 6 respectively are movably linked with the first groove 11 and the second groove 12, a maximum rotated angle of the rotary body 6 (the surgical microscope M) can be enlarged up to the sum of rotatable angles of the first groove 11 and the second groove 12.

Abstract: A medical stand apparatus supports light-weight medical equipment and is installable directly on a patient bed or in a small space adjacent to a patient bed.

Abstract: A heliostat 5 for use in a sunlight concentration system for utilizing sunlight as energy according to this invention has a plurality of small concave mirror elements 8 and reflects and focuses sunlight reflected off the individual concave mirror elements to a light concentration portion as if upon reflection off a single large concave mirror 9. The angles of the concave mirror elements 8 are changed to define a single concave mirror having a predetermined curvature. When the incident angle of sunlight with respect to the concave mirror is large, the curvature is reduced (like a shallow dish). When the incident angle is small, the curvature is increased (like a deep dish).

Abstract: A fixed-high-power-switching microscope including a usual variable power optical system which can be switched to a fixed high power high resolution optical system, as necessary, is provided. The microscope includes a second optical axis for the fixed high power bypassing the variable power optical system. A prism (reflecting means) movable into and out of a first optical axis switches a viewing optical path from the first optical axis for the variable usual power to the second optical axis for the fixed high power, as necessary, providing a clear magnified image at high magnification and high resolution.

Abstract: A microscope suitable for use together with MRI, and a support stand for the microscope are provided. A microscope 1 is a non-magnet type where any electric motor is not used, and hence does not induce fluctuations of magnetic field having effects on image quality of an MRI 3 by focusing or zooming. Hence, the microscope of the invention is suitable for use together with MRI 13. Since a clutch C is of non-magnet type, a support stand 2 does not induce changes in the surrounding magnetic field environments if the clutch is operated, and hence it is suitable for use, for example, in proximity to the MRI.

Abstract: A stereomicroscope has an objective system, a zoom system, and an eyepiece system. The zoom system consists of two systems that are juxtaposed at the same height. This arrangement reduces the vertical size of a body (2) of the stereomicroscope, allows an observer to easily see a target below the stereomicroscope with the naked eye as and when required, and improves workability when an assistant microscope (7) is attached to the stereomicroscope.

Abstract: A biopsy device, including: a housing having a shape of a container, the housing having an opening on a first side thereof, a cannula, a biopsy needle, wherein the biopsy needle is inserted into the cannula, wherein the cannula and the biopsy needle are received within the housing such that the cannula and the biopsy needle are vertically movable within the housing, a first hook, wherein the first hook is in engagement with the biopsy needle; a first spring, wherein the first spring urges the biopsy needle downward, second hook, wherein the second hook is in engagement with the cannula; and a second spring, wherein the second spring urges the cannula downward. The first hook and the second hook are located within the housing. The first hook releases the biopsy needle and the second hook releases the cannula causing the biopsy needle to protrude downward prior to the cannula protruding downward. The biopsy needle is spaced apart from the first spring and the cannula is spaced apart from the second spring.

Abstract: A medical stand apparatus supports light-weight medical equipment and is installable directly on a patient bed or in a small space adjacent to a patient bed.

Abstract: A microscope suitable for use together with MRI, and a support stand for the microscope are provided. A microscope 1 is a non-magnet type where any electric motor is not used, and hence does not induce fluctuations of magnetic field having effects on image quality of an MRI 3 by focusing or zooming. Hence, the microscope of the invention is suitable for use together with MRI 13. Since a clutch C is of non-magnet type, a support stand 2 does not induce changes in the surrounding magnetic field environments if the clutch is operated, and hence it is suitable for use, for example, in proximity to the MRI.

Abstract: A stereomicroscope has an objective system, a zoom system, and an eyepiece system. The zoom system consists of two systems that are juxtaposed at the same height. This arrangement reduces the vertical size of a body (2) of the stereomicroscope, allows an observer to easily see a target below the stereomicroscope with the naked eye as and when required, and improves workability when an assistant microscope (7) is attached to the stereomicroscope.

Abstract: An azimuth sensor unit 15 and an altitude sensor unit 16 have pairs of optical sensors 18 and 20, respectively, disposed along their respective directions, which pair of optical sensors are disposed toward the sun in the form of a tapered section narrower to the front end and broader to the rear end with their light-receiving surfaces outward, and the azimuth sensor unit and the altitude sensor unit themselves rotate so as to balance light-receiving amounts of their respective pairs of optical sensors and send signals for rotating a concave mirror 10 in the same directions by half the amounts of the rotations of the azimuth sensor unit and the altitude sensor unit to a drive mechanism.

Abstract: According to the invention, a latch 17 provided at a distal end of a lever 16 is urged to engage with a gear 13 fixed at a joint fulcrum 2 jointing a vertical arm 1 and a horizontal arm 3, for effecting angular displacement, thereby actuating a switch 20a,20b for a detecting mechanism. Because the mechanism is compact, it is easily applicable to existing balancing stands in which for example a parallel linkage mechanism formed with a combination of a plurality of vertical arms and horizontal arms is supported at a predetermined fulcrum.

Abstract: The vertical movement of a retaining link mechanism and the horizontal movement of a counterweight are interlocked by a drive mechanism for balancing in weight between a medical optical device and/or its auxiliary devices and the counterweight about the center of pivot. Accordingly, the action of the drive mechanism makes a balance in the horizontal and vertical movements of the operating microscope combination, thereby automate the balancing control readily.

Abstract: A medical stand apparatus includes a drive mechanism for moving a counterweight in a balancing direction and a balance-sensing mechanism for sensing balancing-state of a parallel link mechanism and for sending a signal to the drive mechanism. The balance-sensing mechanism is provided on a connection shaft on which arms of the parallel link mechanism intersect with each other. When the angle between the arms on the connection shaft is displaced due to upset of balance, a switch corresponding to the direction of angular displacement is pressed by the tip portion of a lock pin. As a result, the pressed switch sends a signal to the drive mechanism, whereby the counterweight is automatically moved in a balancing direction. Since balancing adjustment can be automatically performed in this manner, time required for the balancing-adjustment work is reduced, and a person unfamiliar with the balancing-adjustment work can readily carry out the work.