Abstract: A light-source driver for a light-source, detachable from an endoscope body includes a first switch, a pilot lamp, a warning lamp, a second switch, and a light switcher. The first switch switches between the On-state and Off-state in connection with the attachment and detachment of the light-source to the endoscope body. The pilot lamp indicates that the illumination light source is energized. The warning lamp indicates that the output voltage of a battery has dropped below a predetermined value. The second switch switches the warning lamp between the On-state and Off-state in connection with the On-state and Off-state of the first switch. The light switcher switches the pilot lamp to the Off-state and enables the second switch when the second switch is set to the On-state and the output voltage has declined to or below the predetermined value.

Abstract: A light-source driver for a light-source unit detachable from an endoscope body of a portable endoscope is provided. The light-source driver includes a first switch, a pilot lamp, a warning lamp, a second switch, and a light-switching block. The first switch switches its status between the On-state and Off-state in connection with the attachment and detachment of the light-source unit to the endoscope body. The pilot lamp indicates that the illumination light source is being energized. The warning lamp indicates that the output voltage of a battery has dropped below a predetermined value. The second switch switches the status of the warning lamp between the On-state and Off-state in connection with the On-state and the Off-state of the first switch. The light-switching block switches the pilot lamp to the Off-state and further enables the second switch when the second switch is set to the On-state and the output voltage has declined to or below the predetermined value.

Abstract: A light-source driver for a light-source unit detachable from an endoscope body of a portable endoscope is provided. The light-source driver comprises a step-up controller, a first switch, and a second switch. The step-up controller supplies stepped-up voltage from a power source to a light source. The first switch's status switches between the On-state and Off-state in connection with the attachment and detachment of the light-source unit from the endoscope body. The second switch is connected to a break-control terminal of the step-up controller for setting a standby mode of the step-up controller. The On-state and Off-state of the second switch are controlled by the On-state and Off-state of the first switch, and the step-up controller is set to the standby mode when the light-source unit is detached from the endoscope body.

Abstract: An endoscope has a plurality of LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) that illuminate an object and are disposed at a tip portion of the endoscope, and a light-controller that controls an emission of the plurality of LEDs. The light-controller controls the plurality of LEDs so as to cause a luminance difference among the plurality of LEDs.

Abstract: A portable endoscope system having an illuminating light guide for transmitting light for illuminating an object, and an illuminating light supply unit for supplying illuminating light to the illuminating light guide. The entrance end portion of the illuminating light guide is disposed in an endoscope control part. The portable endoscope system includes a device for detachably connecting together the illuminating light supply unit and the control part, and a device for sealing a joint between the illuminating light supply unit and the control part. The illuminating light supply unit includes a movable contact positioned to contact an electrode of a battery and separable from the battery, and a spring biasing the battery in a direction opposite to a direction in which the movable contact member is moved for separation from the battery.

Abstract: A portable endoscope having a control part containing an entrance end portion of a light guide for transmitting light for illuminating an object, and a hermetic illuminating light supply unit containing a light source lamp for supplying illuminating light to the light guide. The unit is connected to the control part. An armoring member is disposed at a position where it is heated by heat radiated from the light source lamp. The outer surface of the armoring member is covered with a heat-insulating cover made of a material having a low thermal conductivity. A battery chamber is formed in the illuminating light supply unit to accommodate a battery as a power supply for the lamp. A relief valve releases the pressure in the battery chamber to the outside of the unit when the pressure rises.

Abstract: A portable endoscope having a light guide for transmitting light to illuminate an object. The light guide has an entrance end portion disposed in a control part. An illuminating light supply unit contains a power supply for supplying the illuminating light to the light guide. The illuminating light supply unit is detachably connected to the control part. A lamp serving as a light source of the illuminating light is provided such that when the illuminating light supply unit is detached from the control part, the lamp is left in the control part.

Abstract: A portable endoscope system having an illuminating light guide for transmitting light for illuminating an object, and an illuminating light supply unit for supplying illuminating light to the illuminating light guide. The entrance end portion of the illuminating light guide is disposed in an endoscope control part. The portable endoscope system includes a device for detachably connecting the illuminating light supply unit and the control part, and a connecting device for sealing a joint between the illuminating light supply unit and the control part. The connecting device seals the joint in a watertight manner so that water will not enter the portable endoscope system when the illuminating light supply unit is attached to the control part.

Abstract: A unit connecting member for connecting an illuminating light supply unit to a control part of an endoscope includes a receiving socket mounted to the control part for detachably receiving the illuminating light supply unit for connection to, and disconnection from, the control part. The unit connecting member further includes an electrically insulating member provided between the receiving socket and the control part, for electrically insulating the light supply unit from the control part. The endoscope system further including an illuminating light guide for transmitting light for illuminating an object, and an illuminating light supply unit for supplying illuminating light to the illuminating light guide. The illuminating light supply unit is detachably attached to the control part. The portable endoscope system includes an AC/DC conversion adapter which is connected to an AC power supply to output a predetermined DC voltage and is connectable to the illuminating light supply unit.

Abstract: A portable endoscope having a control part containing an entrance end portion of a light guide for transmitting light for illuminating an object, and an illuminating light supply unit containing a light source lamp for supplying illuminating light to the light guide. A connecting mechanism detachably connects the control part and the light supply unit. A switch for turning on/off the light source lamp is provided in the connecting mechanism. When the light supply unit is connected to the control part in a predetermined state, the switch is turned on; when the former is detached from the latter, the switch is turned off. An electric resistor may be provided for gradually reducing the electric resistance between the lamp and a power supply therefor from a high-resistance state to a low-resistance state as the switch is moved from an OFF position toward an ON position.

Abstract: A portable endoscope having a control part containing an entrance end portion of a light guide for transmitting light for illuminating an object, and a hermetic illuminating light supply unit containing a light source lamp for supplying illuminating light to the light guide. The unit is connected to the control part. An armoring member is disposed at a position where it is heated by heat radiated from the light source lamp. The outer surface of the armoring member is covered with a heat-insulating cover made of a material having a low thermal conductivity. A battery chamber is formed in the illuminating light supply unit to accommodate a battery as a power supply for the lamp. A relief valve releases the pressure in the battery chamber to the outside of the unit when the pressure rises.

Abstract: An illuminating apparatus of an endoscope having a bulb disposed to face an entrance end surface of a light guide for illumination to supply illuminating light to the light guide. A concave mirror surrounds side and rear portions of the bulb to converge light emitted peripherally from the bulb in the vicinity of the entrance end surface of the light guide. A convex lens is formed at the distal end of the bulb to allow light emitted forwardly and obliquely forward from the bulb to be incident on the entrance end surface of the light guide.

Abstract: A portable endoscope system has an illuminating light guide for transmitting light for illuminating an object. The light guide has an entrance end portion disposed in an endoscope control part. A light source lamp is contained in an illuminating light supply unit for supplying illuminating light to the light guide. A filament serving as a light emission source in the lamp is disposed such that the longitudinal direction of the filament is approximately perpendicular to an entrance end surface of the light guide. A spheroidal reflecting mirror converges illuminating light emitted from the lamp onto the entrance end surface of the light guide. A bore is provided in a side of the mirror for receiving a head portion of the lamp. A reflecting surface is provided on an inner surface of a rear end portion of the mirror.

Abstract: A portable endoscope system has an illuminating light guide for transmitting light for illuminating an object. A light source lamp contained in an illuminating light supply unit supplies light to the illuminating light guide. The entrance end portion of the illuminating light guide is disposed in an endoscope control part. The illuminating light supply unit is detachably attached to the control part. The portable endoscope system includes a connecting cable which connects the light source lamp with an external battery to supply electricity to the light source lamp from outside the endoscope system.

Abstract: A portable endoscope system including an illuminating light guide for transmitting light for illuminating an object, and an illuminating light supply unit for supplying illuminating light to the illuminating light guide. The entrance end portion of the illuminating light guide is disposed in an endoscope control part. The illuminating light supply unit is detachably attached to the control part. The portable endoscope system includes an AC/DC conversion adapter which is connected to an AC power supply to output a predetermined DC voltage and is connectable to the illuminating light supply unit.