Abstract: A front end lens 11 of a pair of objective lenses 32R, 32L disposed the object-side end face of a front end part 1 of a stereoscopic endoscope has a so-called D-cut lens form in which both side portions of a spherical lens are cut off, whereby spaces for arranging illumination windows 13, lens surface washing nozzles 15, and heads of fastening screws 14 for fastening the front end part 1 to a front end part main body 2 are secured at the front end face of the front end part 1, while keeping its function of yielding a sufficient angle of convergence .theta.. A positioning pin 16 formed in the front end part main body 2 is inserted into a pin insertion groove 17 formed in a protrusion 12 of the front end part 1 at an eccentric position of the protrusion 12, whereby both members 1, 2 are inhibited from rotating relative to each other, and the relative positional relationship between the front end lens 11 and the pair of objective optical systems 32R, 32L can reliably be fixed.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope system which is configured to eliminate the necessity to mount separate airtight means on a connector section between an electronic endoscope and an external unit at a stage of washing and disinfection, and maintain electrical isolation for patients' securities at the same time. The electronic endoscope system has a composition wherein an electronic endoscope which is equipped with a CCD is connected by way of a connector to a light source unit which is equipped with a light source and performs output control of at least video signals, signal transfer between the electronic endoscope and the light source unit is performed with optical elements, and electric power is supplied from the light source unit to the electronic endoscope by spatial electromagnetic means. Electric power obtained by the electromagnetic coupling means is accumulated once in a battery and the electronic endoscope is driven by the battery.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for endoscopes includes an endoscope; a TV camera head incorporating, at least, a solid-state image sensor; and a TV photographic adapter incorporating at least one part of an optical system for forming an image obtained by the endoscope on the solid-state image sensor. At least one of the TV camera head and the TV photographic adapter is hermetically sealed by dampproof members so that autoclaving treatment can be received.

Abstract: An endoscope system including a first hard endoscope which uses a relay lens as an image transmission optical system, a second hard endoscope which uses an image guide formed by a fiber bundle, and a TV camera which is mountable respectively on the first and second hard endoscopes and which is rotatable. The TV camera has built therein a CCD. An optical low-pass filter for removing moire even in case of being rotated is provided on an ocular part of the second hard endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus of the present invention comprises an endoscope with a built-in solid state imaging device at a distal end portion of an insertion tube and a distal end optical adapter detachably connected to the distal end portion of the insertion tube of the endoscope. At least one objective optical system is provided in said distal end optical adapter and an optical image formed on said solid state imaging device through the distal end optical adapter is displayed on a TV monitor through a control device.

Abstract: A video camera system stores operating parameter information for reading by the system to provide optimum operating conditions, collects information reflecting system uses for later reading by the system to provide a performance history, and is relatively small and operates with a reduced number of electrical lines to transmit electrical information.

Abstract: A structure for eliminating the noise in a light source device for an electronic endoscope safely eliminates the high-frequency noise produced from the lighting circuit, the xenon lamp and the like in the light source device. A capacitor for eliminating noise having a predetermined withstand voltage is connected between the support of the lighting circuit and the box body of the light source device so as to introduce the noise current produced by the switching operation of the lighting circuit to the ground. EMI springs are disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the conductive case of the lighting circuit and the xenon lamp and the inter peripheral surface of the box body of the light source device. A ferrite core for eliminating noise is provided on a conductive wire connecting the lighting circuit and the xenon lamp, thereby safely eliminating noise.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus has a printed-circuit board electrically connected to a solid-state imaging device, and a composite cable electrically connected to said printed-circuit board and made by bundling up a plurality of cables including at least one of plain cables and coaxial cables. An aligner for aligning the plurality of cables contained in the composite cable in a desired form is attached to the distal part of the composite cable. The distal side of the composite cable with the aligner attached to the distal part thereof is opposed to a plane of the printed-circuit board having electrodes. The conductors of the cables of the composite cable and the electrodes on the printed-circuit board are mutually connected all at once directly or indirectly via conducting patterns exposed on the distal side of the aligner. The work of connecting the cables of the composite cable to the electrodes on the printed-circuit board becomes simpler, and a rigid section becomes shorter.

Abstract: Disclosed hereby is a microscopic system integrated with wide-screen television in which a medical information is combined with an image signal picked up by an imaging device including a microscope, a wide-screen television camera and an adaptor for mounting the camera on the microscope; the synthesized image signal is transmitted to be recorded/reproduced and the synthesized image is displayed as a stereoscopic image.

Abstract: A plug-in module for a video probe has a housing which contains video processing circuitry to receive a video output from a miniature video imager and produces a video signal suitable to apply, without further processing, to a video monitor. The module plugs into a mating socket of a power and illumination unit. A fiber optic bundle extends into a sleeve protruding from a proximal face of the module, and is positioned at the focus of a small, high efficacy lamp assembly. The housing of the plug-in module environmentally seals the electronic circuitry.

Abstract: A tiltable, rotatable and detachable LCD view finder for a camcorder that enables a user to easily take pictures while viewing the LCD viewfinder. The viewfinder can be rotated 360.degree. and tilted 180.degree. relative to the upper surface of the camcorder body. The viewfinder system includes: an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) viewfinder; a downwardly opened recess formed on a predetermined edge portion of said LCD viewfinder and having a first side wall, a second side wall, a back wall and a semicircular end; and a tiltable, rotatable and detachable compound joint assembly member fitted into said recess for tiltably, rotatably and detachably connecting the LCD viewfinder, whereby the LCD viewfinder can be tilted, rotated, and detached relative to the camcorder body.

Abstract: An image pickup unit provided with an image pickup element is of structure capable of being detachably received in an endoscope body or a TV camera. After having been used in observation, the image pickup unit is dismounted, whereby disinfection processing and sterilization processing of the endoscope body from which the image pickup unit is dismounted, or the TV camera can be executed without inviting deterioration and the like of a characteristic of the image pickup unit by a disinfection unit, a sterilization unit or the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an endoscopic apparatus which creates image information based on picture signals from an electron endoscope and has a memory device for storing the image information.

Abstract: A medical instrument interfacing apparatus including a video instrument for outputting a video signal on which the pattern information of at least one of a character and device is superimposed, a video signal transmitting apparatus for transmitting the video signal of the video instrument, a pattern discriminating apparatus for extracting the pattern information from the video signal transmitted from the video signal transmitting apparatus and a controlled instrument in which the signal of the pattern discriminating apparatus is input.

Abstract: An endoscope image recording apparatus comprises a video endoscope having, at a forward end of an inserting section, an image pickup element, for image-picking-up the interior of a body cavity or the like, an image control unit for signal-processing a picture signal from the video endoscope, to generate an image signal, a portable IC memory card for recording the image signal from the image control unit as image data, a digital audio tape (DAT), a monitor for displaying the image signal from the image control unit or image data recorded on the IC memory card or the DATA, and indication means for indicating control operation to the image control unit. The IC memory card and the DAT tape record a serial number of the image, an INDEX image of the image, patient data, and image data. The IC memory card records an ID number of the DAT tape, while the DAT tape records an ID number of the IC memory card.

Abstract: A medical system having an endoscope probe intubated into a body, a signal processing circuit for processing a signal for the probe and an electric source circuit insulated from a commercial electric source. A part of the signal processing circuit connected to the probe is isolated by an isolation circuit to secure the safety. An impedance element is employed to prevent a malfunction by reducing an emission/permeation of noises. No adverse influence is thereby exerted on outside units.

Abstract: A laparoscope is constructed with a plug-in module containing video processing circuitry and coupled through a flexible umbilical to a rigid or partly rigid insertion tube that contains a miniature video camera. A fiber optic bundle for illumination has a bifurcated proximal end with two portions each terminating in respective sleeves that project from the module. The sleeve project from the module. The sleeves position the illumination bundle portions at the focussed spot of light produced by respective low-power metal halide discharge lamps. A rotary vane shutter is servo controlled to limit the amount of light entering the fiber optic bundle so that the monitor video picture is kept at a constant level. The metal sleeve for the fiber optic bundle ends serve as grounding elements, and are coupled by a grounding pigtail within the module to a ground conductor in the umbilical. A test opening with a threaded plug serves as a pressure test port.

Abstract: An add-on video camera arrangement permits onscreen viewing of a target within an enclosed structure, such as a patient's body cavity, using an optical laparoscope. A standard C-mount adaptor is fitted to the ocular of the laparoscope lens tube. The camera arrangement has a handle unit that is formed of a short one piece housing. A camera lens and imager unit is disposed therein at the distal end of the housing. A standard female-thread socket receives the standard male thread of the C-mount adaptor. A flexible umbilical tube couples the housing to a connector module that plugs into a light and power supply unit. The fiber optic bundle light conduit has its proximal end within the connector module to receive light from the light unit, and the light conduit extends through the umbilical tube in the handle unit housing and exits the housing at a light conduit port. A flexible tubular connector extends from this port and carries the fiber optic bundle light conduit.

Abstract: The endoscope system of this invention is formed of an endoscope having an insertable part provided in the tip part with an illuminating window and a receiving window receiving an object image illuminated by an illuminating light emitted from the illuminating window and a plurality of sheaths selectively and removably connected to the endoscope, inserted through the insertable part when connected to the endoscope and having respectively different functions.