Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which includes a first and a second optical guides inserted in an elongated insertion portion thereof, and which can transmit an optical image, and an optical system with a function of imaging at the end surface of the optical guide. By transmitting an illuminating light from the other end surface to the portion to be observed through one of the optical guides, the portion to be observed is illuminated. While, the optical image transmitted through the other optical guide is introduced into an ocular system or an imaging system. By changing the functions performed by these optical guides, the stereoscopic observation and stereoscopic imaging can be realized.

Abstract: This unit is for stopping hemorrhage by supplying a current for heating to a semi-conductive thermal element of small heat capacity to insure good heat response which is incorporated in the distal extremity of a slender probe, and possesses a means to recognize whether, or not, voltage fall between the both ends of the thermal element is within the permissible range in order to make it possible to detect qualitative deterioration of thermal element.

Abstract: An endoscopic photographing apparatus has a TV camera with a CCD image sensor which is mounted on an eyepiece section of an endoscope, a light flash source for supplying a light flash as photographing light to the endoscope, and an observation light source for supplying observation light. The light flash source is turned on in synchronism with a release signal and a transfer gate pulse for the video signal, at the time of still image photographing. The photographic field of view of the TV camera is darkened for at least one-field scanning period, before the light flash source is turned on.

Abstract: A light flash control apparatus is used for an endoscope in which a solid-state image sensor is employed. A image signal derived from the solid-state image sensor during the illumination by a halogen lamp is also utilized as a photo-metric signal. An adequate quantity of flashlight for the image sensor is calculated in advance based upon the photo-metric signal. The calculated exposure time i.e., the desirable quantity of flashlight is stored in an integration circuit. After the given exposure time passes since the flash tube is ignited, it is forcibly turned-off by a turn-off thyristor.

Abstract: An endoscope system is provided with a lamp for illuminating a body cavity through an endoscope, and a lamp energizing circuit for adjusting current to be supplied to the lamp. Control data for controlling the lamp is stored in a ROM. While the ROM is held in an enabling state by a chip selector according to setting data from switches and a zerocross detector, the control data is read out from the ROM by a CPU, and the lamp is energized in accordance with the control data. If the ROM is not in the enabling state although the CPU is fetching the setting data and control data, then an alarm signal is delivered from a NOR gate, and the lamp is so energized as to provide a maximum brightness.

Abstract: An endoscope system is provided with a pump for feeding air into a body cavity through an endoscope, and a pump driving circuit for adjusting current to be supplied to the pump. Control data for controlling the pump is stored in an ROM. While the ROM is held in an enabling state by a chip selector according to setting data from switches and a zerocross detector, the control data is read out from the ROM by a CPU, and the pump is driven in accordance with the control data. If the ROM is not in the enabling state although the CPU is fetching the setting data and control data, then an alarm signal is delivered from a NOR gate, and the pump is driven so as to provide a maximum quantity of air supply.

Abstract: In an endoscope for displaying an image of an object on a monitor screen, a static induction transistor (SIT) image sensor having a number of light receiving elements is arranged at a light emitting side of an image guide bundle. In order to eliminate dead spots appearing in the displayed image due to broken fibers in the image guide bundle, pixel signals of light receiving elements corresponding to the dead spots are formed by interpolation with the aid of pixel signals derived from light receiving elements adjacent to the relevant light receiving elements to be interpolated. As an interpolation function, for example, an average of the pixel signals derived from the adjacent light receiving elements is used. The addresses of the light receiving elements corresponding to the dead spots are stored previously in a PROM during a manufacturing stage. In this manner, the interpolated image of the object having an excellent image quality can be displayed on the monitor.

Abstract: An automatic photoflash device wherein detection is made of a level of voltage charged in a main capacitor for supplying discharge energy to an electronic flash tube and also of a level of voltage charged in a quenching capacitor of a quenching circuit to interrupt the flash irradiation of the electronic flash tube. The subject automatic photoflash device comprises an alarm unit, which, when a voltage charged in the main capacitor has a lower level than required to allow for the light emission of the flash device, gives a first alarm, and, when a voltage charged in the quenching capacitor has too low a level to allow for the quenching of the flash tube, sends forth a second alarm.

Abstract: An endoscope which comprises a distal end portion (14) containing an observation optical system, a flexible tube (10), and a freely bendable section (12). In the endoscope a plurality of supersonic transducers (20) are spatially arranged on the peripheral wall of the distal end portion, and a bend angle control device (100) is further provided which controls the angle through which the freely bendable section is to be bent in accordance with output data from the plural supersonic transducers in order to direct the distal end portion to the substantial center of the cross section of, for example, the large intestine. The distal end portion is automatically directed to the substantial center of the large intestine in order to prevent the distal end portion from forcefully pressing the inner wall of the large intestine.