Abstract: An artificial bone material having a satisfactory compatibility with a human body and capable of effecting osteogenesis satisfactorily which is obtained by integrating a marrow cell in a porous ceramic consisting of &bgr;-tricalcium phosphate.

Abstract: A cover-system endoscope comprises the main body of an endoscope and an endoscope cover assembly for covering the main body of the endoscope. The endoscope cover assembly includes a direction changing means such as a tube body, an erecting base having a hinge section or a balloon for erecting the erecting base in order to change the direction of a medical treatment instrument which is inserted through the medical treatment instrument channel.

Abstract: A borescope apparatus having a borescope and a pressurized fluid supply device. The borescope has an operation unit and an insertion unit. The insertion unit comprises a bending tube portion, a jet port member coupled to a proximal end of the bending tube portion, and a flexible tube portion. The bending tube portion can be bent by operating the operation unit. The jet port member has a jet port. A pressuring fluid is supplied from the fluid supply unit to the jet port member, and is ejected through the jet port. The flexible tube portion can be bent by a jet of the fluid from through the jet port independently of the bending tube portion.

Abstract: A laser beam irradiation apparatus comprising a laser generating device, a laser beam irradiation probe for applying a laser beam from the laser generating device to a region of an object of irradiation, an ultrasonic transmitter/receiver for emitting ultrasonic waves toward the region to which the laser beam is applied by the probe, receiving reflected waves from the irradiated region, and converting the reflected waves into an electrical signal, a measuring device for measuring the temperature of the irradiated region in accordance with the electrical signal from the ultrasonic transmitter/receiver, and an output adjuster for adjusting the output of the laser generating device in accordance with a temperature signal from the measuring device.

Abstract: A stone disintegrator apparatus has a probe with discharge electrodes and a power supply circuit for supplying a discharge voltage to the probe for causing discharge between the discharge electrodes. An electrode life detection circuit detects the number of use or discharge operations of the probe so as to determine the remaining life of the discharge electrodes. A discharge inhibit circuit inhibits re-use or discharge of the probe when the life detection circuit detects an end of electrode life.