Abstract: An endoscope system includes: an image pickup apparatus in which an insertion portion is detachable, the image pickup apparatus picking up an optical image of light from an observed object; a focus changing section that can change focus of the image pickup apparatus; a control section that generates a control signal to control the optical image in a focused state in a state in which the insertion portion is fitted to the image pickup apparatus; a storage section that stores data associating a type of the insertion portion and control information; an identification section that reads a predetermined code to identify the type of the insertion portion; and an optical characteristic acquiring section that acquires the control information corresponding to the type of the insertion portion identified by the identification section to acquire an optical characteristic of the insertion portion used to generate the control signal.

Abstract: An image pick up unit includes an optical member, a holding member holding the optical member and movable in an axial direction of an optical axis of the optical member, a driving member rotatable about the optical axis, a cam mechanism configured to convert rotation of the driving member about the optical axis to movement of the holding member in the axial direction of the optical axis, a coil provided in the driving member and movable together with the driving member, and a magnetic field generation portion provided along a rotating direction of the coil and configured to generate a magnetic field to interact with a current flowing in the coil to drive the coil in the rotating direction.

Abstract: An external magnet provided outside a sealed container is movable with respect to the sealed container, and an external member moves the external magnet. An internal magnet provided in the sealed container is movable with respect to the sealed container, and an internal member is moved by movement of the internal magnet. The external magnet and the internal magnet are arranged in such a manner that the internal magnet is moved by the action of a repulsive force between the external magnet and the internal magnet based on movement of the external magnet.

Abstract: An image pick up unit includes an optical member, a holding member holding the optical member and movable in an axial direction of an optical axis of the optical member, a driving member rotatable about the optical axis, a cam mechanism configured to convert rotation of the driving member about the optical axis to movement of the holding member in the axial direction of the optical axis, a coil provided in the driving member and movable together with the driving member, and a magnetic field generation portion provided along a rotating direction of the coil and configured to generate a magnetic field to interact with a current flowing in the coil to drive the coil in the rotating direction.

Abstract: A switch mechanism for use in medical apparatuses, includes an airtight unit being able to retain airtight therein, a first magnet provided outside the airtight unit, an operation unit provided outside the airtight unit and being able to move the first magnet with respect to the airtight unit, a second magnet provided in the airtight unit and being able to receive a force from the first magnet in accordance with a position of the first magnet, and a switch unit provided in the airtight unit and being able to be switched on and off by using a force acting between the first magnet and the second magnet.

Abstract: An imaging system includes: an optical-system holding member for holding an optical system to form an optical image of a subject; an imaging-device holding member for holding an imaging device to obtain the optical image formed by the optical system; a case for hermetically enclosing the optical-system holding member and the imaging-device holding member; a hermetic connector for hermetically sealing the case, the hermetic connector being electrically connected to the imaging device; a power generator for generating a driving force to move either of the optical-system holding member and the imaging-device holding member; and a driving-force transfer member for connecting the power generator and either the optical-system holding member or the imaging-device holding member to transfer the driving force of the power generator to either the optical-system holding member or the imaging-device holding member.

Abstract: A valve actuating apparatus for an internal combustion engine selectively operating in the normal Otto cycle or the Miller cycle is provided which enables the engine to achieve stable combustion and improved fuel economy during cruising or in a low-load engine operating region. A delayed-closing cam for Miller cycle operation and a normal cam having a cam profile for earlier valve-closing timing of the intake valve than a cam profile of the delayed-closing cam are provided on a camshaft. A cam profile-switching mechanism switches between the delayed-closing cam and the normal cam, for opening and closing the intake valve. An ECU controls the switching mechanism such that when a detected operating condition of the engine indicates starting or idling, the intake valve is operated by the normal cam, and when the detected operating condition indicates cruising, the intake valve is operated by the delayed-closing cam.

Abstract: An imaging system includes: an optical-system holding member for holding an optical system to form an optical image of a subject; an imaging-device holding member for holding an imaging device to obtain the optical image formed by the optical system; a case for hermetically enclosing the optical-system holding member and the imaging-device holding member; a hermetic connector for hermetically sealing the case, the hermetic connector being electrically connected to the imaging device; a power generator for generating a driving force to move either of the optical-system holding member and the imaging-device holding member; and a driving-force transfer member for connecting the power generator and either the optical-system holding member or the imaging-device holding member to transfer the driving force of the power generator to either the optical-system holding member or the imaging-device holding member.

Abstract: A valve actuating apparatus for an internal combustion engine selectively operating in the normal Otto cycle or the Miller cycle is provided which enables the engine to achieve stable combustion and improved fuel economy during cruising or in a low-load engine operating region. A delayed-closing cam for Miller cycle operation and a normal cam having a cam profile for earlier valve-closing timing of the intake valve than a cam profile of the delayed-closing cam are provided on a camshaft. A cam profile-switching mechanism switches between the delayed-closing cam and the normal cam, for opening and closing the intake valve. An ECU controls the switching mechanism such that when a detected operating condition of the engine indicates starting or idling, the intake valve is operated by the normal cam, and when the detected operating condition indicates cruising, the intake valve is operated by the delayed-closing cam.

Abstract: Provided is a surgical observational system capable of effectively displaying, in the field of an operating microscope, a real-time image obtained by means of an ultrasonic probe, for example, and a slice image obtained by a preoperative diagnosis on the location of the distal end portion of the probe or a three-dimensional image of an affected region, in association with an actual observational image obtained by means of the microscope. The surgical operation observational system is provided with two monitors in the operating microscope for the observation of the affected region to be operated. Images on the two monitors are alternatively superposed on the optical path of the operating microscope.

Abstract: An above deck unit for an AIS (automatic identification system) is externally installed on a ship. The above deck unit includes a radio circuit and an associated antenna for transmitting and receiving a message, a position detector and an associated antenna, associated controller and power supply, and a container for storing these elements. An inboard transmission path, e.g., a cable, connects the outdoor unit for the AIS and an AIS display serving as an interface means for the crew. A signal to be transmitted through the inboard transmission path is a processed, for example, an amplified signal, rather than an unprocessed output of a VHF antenna. Therefore, problems of signal loss or degradation along the inboard transmission path are unlikely to occur. Because the unit is incorporated within a single container, it can easily be installed and transferred. With this antenna complex, it is also possible to suppress interference between antennas.

Abstract: A medical instrument holding apparatus comprises a support arm supported such that it is rotatable about a first axis of rotation, a first arm supported such that it is rotatable about a second axis of rotation, a second arm supported such that it is rotatable about a third axis of rotation, and a third arm supported such that it is rotatable about a fourth axis of rotation. This apparatus further comprises first, second, third and fourth locks for locking the support arm, the first arm, the second arm and the third arm about the first, second, third and fourth axes of rotation, respectively, and for releasing the locked states of the arms. This apparatus can select control for causing predetermined three of the first, second, third and fourth locks to execute a locking operation, or control for causing all the locks to execute the locking operation.

Abstract: An above deck unit for an AIS (automatic identification system) is externally installed on a ship. The above deck unit includes a radio circuit and an associated antenna for transmitting and receiving a message, a position detector and an associated antenna, associated controller and power supply, and a container for storing these elements. An inboard transmission path, e.g., a cable, connects the outdoor unit for the AIS and an AIS display serving as an interface means for the crew. A signal to be transmitted through the inboard transmission path is a processed, for example, an amplified signal, rather than an unprocessed output of a VHF antenna. Therefore, problems of signal loss or degradation along the inboard transmission path are unlikely to occur. Because the unit is incorporated within a single container, it can easily be installed and transferred. With this antenna complex, it is also possible to suppress interference between antennas.

Abstract: A medical instrument holding apparatus according to the invention comprises a support arm supported such that it is rotatable about a first axis of rotation, a first arm supported such that it is rotatable about a second axis of rotation, a second arm supported such that it is rotatable about a third axis of rotation, and a third arm supported such that it is rotatable about a fourth axis of rotation. This apparatus further comprises first, second, third and fourth locks for locking the support arm, the first arm, the second arm and the third arm about the first, second, third and fourth axes of rotation, respectively, and for releasing the locked states of the arms. This apparatus can select control for causing predetermined three of the first, second, third and fourth locks to execute a locking operation, or control for causing all the locks to execute the locking operation.

Abstract: A gasoline direct-injection engine includes a cavity provided in a top portion of a piston and constituting a portion of a combustion chamber defined between a cylinder head and the top portion of the piston, a fuel injection valve mounted in the cylinder head for injecting gasoline directly into the combustion chamber, and a spark plug also mounted in the cylinder head to face the combustion chamber. In this gasoline direct-injection engine, the fuel injection valve facing a substantially central portion of a ceiling surface of the combustion chamber is mounted in the cylinder head to have an axis substantially parallel to an axis of the piston, and the cavity provided in the top portion of the piston and disposed below the fuel injection valve and the spark plug is defined so that it is deeper in an area corresponding to the spark plug than in an area corresponding to the fuel injection valve.