Abstract: There is provided a flexibility/rigidity adjustable apparatus which can change over its state between a flexible state in which such apparatus is freely bendable and a rigid state in which such bending is restricted when in use. A flexible closing cover 18 which can expand/shrink is provided on an outer circumference 2 of a flexible tube 1. A latching member 7 which moves together with the closing cover 18 is provided, and a latching-member receiving part 11 with which the latching member 7 can engage is provided at the outer circumference 2 of the tube 1. A closed space 21 formed between the closing cover 18 and the tube 1 is connected to an air inlet/outlet part 22. As the air is evacuated through the inlet/outlet part 22 to change the pressurized condition of the closed space 21 from an atmospheric pressure condition to a negative pressure condition, the closing cover 18 reduces its diameter around an axis 4, and the latching member 7 is caused to engage with the latching-member receiving part 11.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for displaying a three-dimensional image without using a lens array with aberration and a highly defined flat display. The method comprises steps of arranging a plurality of basic units 8a, 8b, 8c . . . two-dimensionally; inputting image signals to the respective basic units 8a, 8b, 8c . . . ; and projecting light beams emitted from light sources 9a, 9b, 9c . . . two-dimensionally in space by driving the respective basic units in accordance with the inputted image signals. Light beams before emitting from the light sources are respectively modulated in their luminance in accordance with movements of the two-dimensionally projected light beams.

Abstract: A position measuring apparatus, for use in an assisting apparatus for surgical opertions, includes a position indicating apparatus for indicating a position and a direction of a tool, and three-dimensional position measuring apparatus for measuring a position and a direction of a surgical field and also the position and the direction of the tool. The position indicating apparatus and the three dimensional position measuring apparatus are unified in one body in the relative position thereof, so that a position for assistance of surgical operation is indicated in the form of an intersection line or an intersection point of the laser beams, irrespective of the position of the position measuring apparatus.

Abstract: There is provided a flexibility/rigidity adjustable apparatus which can change over its state between a flexible state in which such apparatus is freely bendable and a rigid state in which such bending is restricted when in use. A flexible closing cover 18 which can expand/shrink is provided on an outer circumference 2 of a flexible tube 1. A latching member 7 which moves together with the closing cover 18 is provided, and a latching-member receiving part 11 with which the latching member 7 can engage is provided at the outer circumference 2 of the tube 1. A closed space 21 formed between the closing cover 18 and the tube 1 is connected to an air inlet/outlet part 22. As the air is evacuated through the inlet/outlet part 22 to change the pressurized condition of the closed space 21 from an atmospheric pressure condition to a negative pressure condition, the closing cover 18 reduces its diameter around an axis 4, and the latching member 7 is caused to engage with the latching-member receiving part 11.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a lens array for recording or reproducing three-dimensional images with enhanced precision comprising uniform convex lenses of excellent optical properties without difficulties. A plurality of circular plateaus 3m having uniform diameter and shape are formed two-dimensionally arranged with high precision on a transparent substrate 3 by utilizing a laser plotter or an electron beam exposure system. A predetermined amount of transparent liquid resin 5 is dropped onto the respective circular plateaus one after another. The transparent liquid resin is left as it is until it forms dome shapes on the respective plateaus due to its surface tension. The dome shaped transparent liquid resin 5? is hardened, so that the lens array having excellent and uniform optical properties two-dimensionally regularly arranged is obtained.

Abstract: An endoscope system capable of observing a front view and a side view simultaneously is provided by employing a beam splitter, a first shutter and a second shutter. A front view in a longitudinal direction can be observed when the first shutter is open such that light beams pass through the beam splitter. A side view in a perpendicular direction can be observed when the second shutter is open such that light beams through the open shutter are reflected by the beam splitter in the longitudinal direction. The front view and the side view can be observed simultaneously, when the first shutter and the second shutter are alternatively operated such that the first shutter is open while the second shutter is closed and vise versa.

Abstract: The front end portion of a bending action member and manipulator is constituted of multi-slider linkage mechanism which starts the operation of a second articulation portion at its rear end side after the bending action of a first articulation portion on the front end side ends. A guide link portion 26 which covers a link member 23 to guide it through a sliding contact is sealed in a hollow portion to prevent leakage of air. In multi-slider linkage mechanism, two frames at a joint portion are formed in forward taper to set the magnitude of a moment required for starting the bending action of a second articulation portion larger than a moment required for the bending action of the first articulation portion. The manipulator is comprised of an actuator portion and a bending forceps portion and capable of engaging/disengaging each other. The actuator portion is provided with a joint arm 13 having a plate containing a fitting hole for connecting the motor with the link member 23.

Abstract: Provided is a unit used in a surgical operation using an endoscope, for example, to position the distal end of a surgical instrument to the region of a human body where medical treatment is required, without spreading a hole formed in the human body for insertion of the surgical instrument. This unit includes first and second output shafts pivotally connected to a movable member of the surgical instrument or the like, the first and second output shafts extending parallel to each other and being capable of reciprocating, and a drive unit for giving the first output shaft an arbitrary amount of advance/retraction and constantly giving the second output shaft an amount of advance/retraction of a constant ratio (#1) with respect to the amount of advance/retraction given to the first output shaft.

Abstract: This invention provides a bending mechanism that performs a ±90 degrees bending motion per degree of freedom (DOF) simply by directly sliding a pair of a multi-slider linkage mechanisms and enables multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) bending by combining two or more said bending mechanisms. To serve the purpose, the first frame 1, the second frame 3 and the third frame 5 are linearly arrayed and sequentially mounted to be rotatable about the first and the second rotating shafts 2 and 4, respectively. The first drive link 7, the second drive link 9 and the third drive link 12 are connected to the first frame 1 on the right side of the first rotary shaft 2. The first restraining link 15 and the second restraining link 17 are connected to the first frame 1 on the left side of the first rotary shaft 2. The first frame 1 turns right and left as the third drive link 12 is driven and slides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three-dimensional image display device capable of reproducing clear, deviation-free and distortion-free three-dimensional images generated by a three-dimensional generating method. The three-dimensional image display device 4 comprises a lens array 1 having the predetermined number of convex lenses arranged in a matrix; and image display means for displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images 3 corresponding to the respective convex lenses. The same lens array 1 is employed in the three-dimensional display device as the lens array employed for generating the two-dimensional images.

Abstract: A position measuring apparatus, for use in an assisting apparatus for surgical opertions, comprises a position indicating means for indicating a position and a direction of a tool, and a three-dimensional position measuring means for measuring a position and a direction of a surgical field and also the position and the direction of the tool. The position indicating means and the three-dimensional position measuring means are unified in one body in the relative position thereof, so that a position for assistance of surgical operation is indicated in the form of an intersection line or an intersection point of the laser beams, irrespective of the position of the position measuring apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three-dimensional image display device capable of reproducing clear, deviation-free and distortion-free three-dimensional images generated by a three-dimensional generating method. The three-dimensional image display device 4 comprises a lens array 1 having the predetermined number of convex lenses arranged in a matrix; and image display means for displaying a plurality of two-dimensional images 3 corresponding to the respective convex lenses. The same lens array 1 is employed in the three-dimensional display device as the lens array employed for generating the two-dimensional images.

Abstract: A body cavity-observing apparatus includes an endoscope with an imaging optical system on the front edge thereof, a prism movably mounted on the forefront of the imaging optical system, and an actuator to drive the prism on a given command signal. A different endoscope image is obtained by moving the prism, and thus, a wide range endoscope image can be easily obtained.

Abstract: A rapid vascular endothelium function examining method with improved reproducibility is provided. An apparatus for the method comprises systems for acquiring ultrasound images by an ultrasound probe, processing the acquired images and moving/rotating the ultrasound probe. The method comprises: a first step where the acquired image is processed so that the center of a blood vessel is laid on the center of the image; a second step where a series of operations for acquiring an image, processing the acquired image and moving the probe based on the processed result, are repeated so that the probe is moved in parallel to the blood vessel; a third step where the similar operations to the second step are executed so that the probe is moved in parallel to and immediately above the blood vessel; a fourth step for determining a blood vessel diameter from the finally acquired image at the third step.

Abstract: A rapid vascular endothelium function examining method with improved reproducibility is provided. An apparatus for the method comprises systems for acquiring ultrasound images by an ultrasound probe, processing the acquired images and moving/rotating the ultrasound probe. The method comprises: a first step where the acquired image is processed so that the center of a blood vessel is laid on the center of the image; a second step where a series of operations for acquiring an image, processing the acquired image and moving the probe based on the processed result, are repeated so that the probe is moved in parallel to the blood vessel; a third step where the similar operations to the second step are executed so that the probe is moved in parallel to and immediately above the blood vessel; a fourth step for determining a blood vessel diameter from the finally acquired image at the third step.

Abstract: A body cavity-observing apparatus has an endoscope with an imaging optical system on the front edge thereof, a prism movably mounted on the forefront of the imaging optical system, and an actuator to drive the prism on a given command signal. Then, a different endoscope image is obtained by moving the prism, and thus, a wide range endoscope image can be easily obtained.

Abstract: A robot for surgical operation which comprises arm structure mounted at its one end of a vertical support and extending in a predetermined direction.The robot comprises a drive mechanism mounted on the other end of the arm structure and adapted to extend substantially horizontally further in said predetermined direction. A head or trepan is mounted at the extended end of and driven by said drive mechanism. Light transmissive fiber or the like mounted on the trepan takes an image of the patient and a controller process the image through video data processing for driving the arm structure, thereby controlling the position and tilt of the trepan with respect to the patient.