Abstract: Illumination light supplied from an illumination light supplying unit that can selectively supply a plurality kinds of illumination lights whose wavelengths fall in different regions is supplied to an object. A signal picking up an image of the object is received by a programmable circuit unit that is programmably constructed based on circuit data, and then subjected to signal processing. A circuit data holding unit holds a plurality kinds of circuit data to be used for the programmable circuit unit. A control unit selects circuit data, which is used for the programmable circuit unit, from among all the circuit data items held in the circuit data holding unit corresponding to illumination light supplied from the illumination light supplying unit.

Abstract: The electronic endoscope device in accordance with the present invention comprises an image pick-up unit capable of acquiring an object image with respect to illumination light employed for illuminating the object for each prescribed wavelength band, an exposure period setting circuit for setting the exposure period of the image pick-up unit corresponding to the each wavelength band, an amplification circuit for amplifying picked-up image signals of the object image obtained with the image pick-up unit corresponding to the each wavelength band, and a control circuit for controlling the amplification circuit such that the picked-up image signals corresponded to the each wavelength band of the object image that are acquired with the image pick-up unit at the exposure period set corresponding to the each wavelength band set by the exposure period setting circuit are amplified at amplification factors computed corresponding to the exposure period that is set corresponding to the each wavelength band.

Abstract: A CCD driver circuit adjusts and supplies pulse-type signals to a CCD in order to adjust the sensitivity of the CCD. A metering circuit meters a signal output from the CCD. A sensitivity control circuit controls the sensitivity of the CCD by controlling the sensitivity multiplication factor of the CCD based on a metering result by the metering circuit. A metering correcting circuit corrects a metering result from the metering circuit based on a charge multiplication factor from the sensitivity control circuit. An aperture control circuit controls an aperture based on a metering signal corrected by the metering correcting circuit. Thus, an image of an object of which strength of light largely varies can be obtained as an image under a proper dimming state.

Abstract: In the light source unit 3A, a switching filter section 14, which can switch the RGB filter for normal-light observation and a filter for fluorescent observation on the optical path, is installed in front of the lamp 12, where if the fluorescent image mode is selected, the excitation light in a part of the blue wavelength band is supplied to the electronic endoscope 2A, and the excitation light reflected by the subject side is shielded by the excitation light cut filter 27 in front of the CCD 28 so as to obtain the fluorescent image, and also the signal of the fluorescent image and the signals of the two reflected light images which are set in a predetermined wavelength band are passed through the image processing circuit 38, where a matrix circuit for appropriately allocating the color signals of the R, G and B channels is installed, and as a result, the images can be displayed on the monitor 5 in pseudo-colors in hues which allow easy identification of a normal tissue and a pathologically affected tissue.

Abstract: An imaging system for use with an endoscope, including a light source which emits white light and excitation light which will produce a fluorescence response by an object under inspection, an imaging camera including separate paths for processing images produced by white light and excitation light, a selection device that causes the imaging device to operate in a white light mode or an excitation light mode, and a protective device that prevents damage to high-sensitivity imaging components from exposure to excessive light input. Fluorescent image data are separated into at least red and green color bands which are separately processed to produced a video display in which normal tissue is displayed in predetermined specific color, and abnormal tissue in one or more distinctly different colors. In one embodiment, an image color interpretation guide is provided in the form of multiple color bars which are superimposed on a single video display device with the image display. of different kinds.

Abstract: An endoscope 2 has a CCD 9 incorporated in the distal part of an insertion unit 6 thereof. The sensitivity of the CCD 9 can be varied by applying a plurality of pulsating driving signals so as to change an electron multiplication rate. The endoscope 2 is connected to a processor 3 so that it can be disconnected freely. Information representing a type of endoscope stored in advance in a ROM 48 is transmitted to a controller 21 incorporated in the processor 3. The control means 21 uses a CCD sensitivity control means 12 to control the sensitivity of the CCD 9 according to the type of connected endoscope 2. Consequently, a view image of proper brightness can be produced irrespective of the type of endoscope 2.

Abstract: In a light source unit, a switchable filter section in which an RGB filter and a fluorescence observation filter can be shifted into the light path is disposed in front of a lamp. When fluorescence image mode is selected, excitation light in a part of the wavelength band of the blue wavelength band is supplied to an electronic endoscope, and the excitation light which is reflected by the subject is shielded by an excitation light shielding filter situated in front of a CCD, whereby a fluorescence image can be obtained. On the other hand, if normal-light image mode is selected, then R, G, B light is supplied sequentially, and even under illumination of B light, the color component image in the wavelength bands which are not shielded by the excitation light shielding filter are captured, thereby yielding a normal-light image also, and hence making it possible to capture both a fluorescence image and a normal-light image by means of a single image pickup element.

Abstract: In the light source unit 3A, a switching filter section 14, which can switch the RGB filter for normal-light observation and a filter for fluorescent observation on the optical path, is installed in front of the lamp 12, where if the fluorescent image mode is selected, the excitation light in a part of the blue wavelength band is supplied to the electronic endoscope 2A, and the excitation light reflected by the subject side is shielded by the excitation light cut filter 27 in front of the CCD 28 so as to obtain the fluorescent image, and also the signal of the fluorescent image and the signals of the two reflected light images which are set in a predetermined wavelength band are passed through the image processing circuit 38, where a matrix circuit for appropriately allocating the color signals of the R, G and B channels is installed, and as a result, the images can be displayed on the monitor 5 in pseudo-colors in hues which allow easy identification of a normal tissue and a pathologically affected tissue.

Abstract: In a light source unit, a switchable filter section in which an RGB filter and a fluorescence observation filter can be shifted into the light path is disposed in front of a lamp. When fluorescence image mode is selected, excitation light in a part of the wavelength band of the blue wavelength band is supplied to an electronic endoscope, and the excitation light which is reflected by the subject is shielded by an excitation light shielding filter situated in front of a CCD, whereby a fluorescence image can be obtained. On the other hand, if normal-light image mode is selected, then R, G, B light is supplied sequentially, and even under illumination of B light, the color component image in the wavelength bands which are not shielded by the excitation light shielding filter are captured, thereby yielding a normal-light image also, and hence making it possible to capture both a fluorescence image and a normal-light image by means of a single image pickup element.

Abstract: A fluorescent imaging device to prevent the breakdown of a fluorescent image high-sensitivity imaging apparatus has a light source for endoscope use which selectively switches between an excitation light and a white light. This introduces a light into a light guide of an endoscope and such light is emitted onto an object. A fluorescent image high-sensitivity imaging device images the fluorescences obtained by excitation with the excitation light which is emitted onto the object. A white light imaging device images a white light image obtained from the white light which is emitted onto the object. A switch inputs a power source onto the fluorescent image high-sensitivity imaging apparatus and there is a mechanism to prevent overprint on an image plane of the fluorescent image high-sensitivity imaging apparatus which is in the imaging condition with the power source inputted.

Abstract: An imaging system for use with an endoscope, including a light source which emits white light and excitation light which will produce a fluorescence response by an object under inspection, an imaging camera including separate paths for processing images produced by white light and excitation light, a selection device that causes the imaging device to operate in a white light mode or an excitation light mode, and a protective device that prevents damage to high-sensitivity imaging components from exposure to excessive light input. Fluorescent image data are separated into at least red and green color bands which are separately processed to produced a video display in which normal tissue is displayed in predetermined specific color, and abnormal tissue in one or more distinctly different colors. In one embodiment, an image color interpretation guide is provided in the form of multiple color bars which are superimposed on a single video display device with the image display. of different kinds.

Abstract: A light scanning device has a tip structure which includes a light scanning part connected to a light source, and which is insertable into a body cavity and is formed so as to be water-tight. A controlling part controls the light scan through the tip structure, and the tip structure and the controlling part are also connected to each other in a water-tight manner by a slender tube through which a plurality of electrical cables pass. An electric connector is fixed with the proximal end portion of the tube in a water-tight manner, and is electrically connectable so as to be water-tight with and removable from this controlling part.

Abstract: A low coherence beam emitted by a low coherence light source is split into two portions. One portion is transmitted from the outward end of a first single mode fiber via a detachable connector to a beam scanning probe, and then to a biological tissue; and the other is transmitted from an optical coupler placed midway along the light path via a second single mode fiber to a light path modifier. The light path modifier includes a galvanometer mirror to modify the light path length in accordance with a scan range, and a uniaxial stage to adjust the light path length to absorb the variation in lengths of different beam scanning probes. The light path is adjusted by the uniaxial stage such that the beam interference is detected for the scan range, to ensure stable acquisition of tomographic images.

Abstract: A surgical manipulator system comprising at least one surgical manipulator, at least one guide, a detector, and a drive controller. The surgical manipulator has a surgical device for performing a desired operation. The guide guides the surgical device. The detector detects a position and/or orientation relationship between the surgical device and the guide, and/or a position and/or orientation relationship between the surgical device and another surgical device. The drive controller controls the surgical manipulator such that the surgical device is guided by the guide.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis and treatment system having a thin tube which is capable of being inserted into a body cavity, and which has at its extreme end an observing ultrasonic vibrator for emitting ultrasonic waves for observation and a treating ultrasonic vibrator for emitting strong ultrasonic waves for treatment. Observation and treatment are performed by using ultrasonic wave. The system further includes a processing device for performing an operation other than the ultrasonic treatment at least on a region observed by using ultrasonic waves. A guide for enabling the processing device to reach the region observed by using ultrasonic waves is provided on the thin tube.

Abstract: A fluorescent endoscope apparatus having: an endoscope that irradiates a subject portion to be observed with light transmitted through a light transmission device to obtain an object image of the subject portion to be observed; a normal observation light generating device for emitting normal light for performing normal light endoscope observation; a fluorescent observation light generating device for emitting excitation light for performing fluorescent light observation; an introduced-light switching device for selectively introducing, to the light transmission device of the endoscope, normal light emitted by the normal observation light generating device or excitation light emitted by the fluorescent observation light generating device; and an image sensing device for capturing a normal light image of the subject portion to be observed that can be obtained by irradiating the subject portion to be observed with normal light or excitation light or a fluorescent image that can be obtained due to irradiation wit

Abstract: A guiding apparatus for guiding an insertable body within an inspected object is provided with an insertable body to be inserted into an inspected object, a guided part provided in at least a part of the insertable body and to be magnetically guided and a guiding device provided outside the inspected object and to magnetically guide the guided part. The guiding device includes a guiding part for guiding the guided part and a driving device for moving the guiding part at least two-dimensionally, the guided part and guiding part are to generate a magnetic force acting between them and the guiding part is to guide the guided part with the magnetic force.

Abstract: A bending drive member to bend a bending member is arranged to extend in the direction of length of an elongate tube having flexibility, and attached to near the distal end of the tube with the distal end of the bending drive member being restricted in its position. The bending member drive member comprises a shape memory member formed by bundling together a plurality of wire-like shape memory materials each having a length, that spans from the position of one end to the other end, reversibly changed upon heating/cooling. The length of the shape memory member is changed dependent on a drive signal from a unit with a capability of heating. A non-compressive coil sheath through which the bending drive member extends is fixed at a distal end thereof to the elongate tube while the proximal end of the coil sheath is a free end with respect to the elongate tube.

Abstract: An actuator apparatus for driving a focus adjusting lens of a focus adjusting mechanism of an endoscope comprises a moving member put in slidable frictional engagement with a base of the endoscope, the moving member having coupling means for coupling with the movable portion within the endoscope, a piezoelectric element coupled to the moving member, the piezoelectric element and the moving member alone constituting a body of the actuator apparatus, and actuator control circuit for causing quick deformation in the piezoelectric element, enabling the piezoelectric element to apply an impulse force to the moving member, thereby moving the moving member against a frictional engagement force acting between the base and the moving member.

Abstract: Provided on the side of a distal end of an insertion part are an observation ultrasonic transducer for acquiring an ultrasonic image and a therapeutic ultrasonic transducer for outputting a therapeutic ultrasonic wave so as to be focused. Positioning or the like between the observation ultrasonic transducer and the therapeutic ultrasonic transducer is so conducted that a focusing point at which the therapeutic ultrasonic wave is focused is locked to a predetermined position within a scanning range of the observation ultrasonic wave. If the position of the focusing point is locked whereby a lesion part to be treated is set to a predetermined position on an ultrasonic image, it is necessarily possible to conduct the position setting to the focusing point. It is also made possible to confirm the position of the lesion part and to acoustically observe a state of the lesion part during irradiation of the therapeutic ultrasonic wave.