Abstract: There is disclosed a bending device for use in an endoscope or the like. The bending device includes an articulation assembly constituted by a number of segments. In order to increase the rigidity of the articulation assembly in its radial direction, each segment has such a simple configuration that the segment can be formed by bending a hard metal plate such, for example, as a hard spring metal. More specifically, the segment has a semi-cylindrical portion and a pair of extension portions extending respectively from opposite circumferential ends of the semi-cylindrical portion in a direction of the circumference of the semi-cylindrical portion. A pair of notches are formed respectively in opposite axial ends of the segment at the boundary between each of the opposite circumferential ends of the semi-cylindrical portion and each of the extension portions.

Abstract: A projector system includes an optical converter element of a cylindrical shape, and a light beam-generating device for generating a plurality of light beams. Optical axes of the plurality of light beams are spaced from one another in a direction of the circumference of the optical converter element and intersecting one another substantially at one point lying on the axis of the optical converter element. The optical axes of the plurality of light beams are inclined at the same angle with respect to the axis of the optical converter element, so that when the plurality of light beams are incident on the optical converter element, an outgoing light beam is emitted from the optical converter element in such a manner that the outgoing light beam extends along an imaginary conical surface coaxial with the optical converter element. This outgoing light beam can be converted by a collimator lens into a light beam extending along an imaginary cylindrical surface.

Abstract: A bending device for use in an endoscope, a catheter or the like is of a simple construction having a frame, a resilient thin plate, and operating wires. The frame has a generally cylindrical shape as a whole, and has annular portions disposed respectively in planes substantially perpendicular to the axis of the frame, the annular portions being juxtaposed in an axial direction of the frame. The resilient thin plate is received in an internal space of the frame. Recesses are formed in each of opposite lateral edges of the resilient thin plate, and are juxtaposed in a longitudinal direction of the resilient thin plate. The annular portions of the frame are engaged respectively in the recesses in each of the opposite lateral edges of the resilient thin plate, so that any adjacent ones of the annular portions are spaced a predetermined distance from each other.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an electric device attached to a rigid portion provided at a distal end of the endoscope, and signal conductors extending from the electric device. The signal conductors are bent at a bending portion of the endoscope so as to reduce a bending resistance of the bending portion. Each signal conductor has an intersecting portion extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the bending portion. A jig for processing or bending the signal conductors includes a plurality of pairs of first and second engagement portions provided on each of opposite sides of the jig. The first engagement portions as well as the second engagement portions are arranged in a row, and spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction of the jig. Each pair of first and second engagement portions are disposed in a straight line intersecting the longitudinal direction of the jig.

Abstract: A flexible tube structure includes a coil assembly including a plurality of coils which are combined together in such a manner that turns of the plurality of coils alternate with each other. Any two adjacent turns of the plurality of coils are disposed in substantially point-to-point contact relation to each other. There is also disclosed a bending device in which an operating wire is passed through at least one axially-extending space formed between peripheries of the plurality of coils. A distal end of the operating wire is fixed relative to a distal end of the coil assembly.

Abstract: A bending device has a simplified construction for bending a bending portion. A wire is disposed in opposed relation to a manipulation hole formed in a body. When the finger is inserted into the manipulation hole to press the wire in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the wire, the wire is pulled to bend the bending portion. Instead of the wire, an operating member can be disposed in opposed relation to the manipulating hole, in which case a manipulating force of the finger is converted through the operating member into a force to pull the wire. The operating member operatively connected to the wire may be of the type slidably supported on the body, and may be of the type integrally connected to the body through a neck portion.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a guide tube assembly for guiding an elongated treatment instrument. The guide tube assembly includes a resin tube whose internal bore serves as a guide channel for the passage of the treatment instrument therethrough. A reinforcement coil is received in a spiral groove formed in the outer peripheral surface of the resin tube. The guide tube assembly further includes a braid tube woven of yarns having low expansion properties. The braid tube covers the resin tube generally over an entire length of the resin tube. The opposite ends of the braid tube are fixed to the oppositre ends of the resin tube, respectively.

Abstract: In the production of a waveguide, a pipe of a glass which is soluble in an acid or an alkali is used in order to obtain a smooth inner peripheral surface of a reflecting layer of the waveguide. After the reflecting layer is formed on the outer periphery of the pipe, the glass pipe is dipped in an etchant to be dissolved and removed. A reinforcement layer can be applied to the waveguide, and the reinforcement layer is made of a resin in order to keep the flexibility of the waveguide. In this case, the reinforcement layer of a resin is formed on the outer periphery of the reflecting layer on the pipe, and thereafter the pipe is dipped in the etchant and is removed. The waveguide of a circular cross-section can be flatted. In this case, the reinforcement layer made of a thermoplastic resin is heated to be softened, and then a compressive force is applied to the waveguide radially thereof to flatten the waveguide.

Abstract: There is disclosed an endoscope incorporating a device for bending a bendable portion of the endoscope. A pair of operating wires are fixedly connected at their distal ends to a distal end of the bendable portion, and are extended respectively around a pair of engaging members. The proximal ends of the operating wires are retained by a retaining member. When an operating shaft, operatively connected to the engaging members through a connecting member, is angularly moved, one of the two engaging members is moved away from the bendable portion. As a result, one of the operating wires associated with the one engaging member is pulled to bend the bendable portion. Alternatively, first and second operating shafts, four operating wires and four engaging members can be employed so that the bendable portion can be bent in two directions generally perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: A treating instrument for an endoscope comprises an elongated body, an acting unit provided at a forward end of the body, and a ring portion provided at a proximal end of the body. The ring portion is adapted to be hung on a peg to suspend the treating instrument from the peg. The ring portion is formed with a cut-out permitting the peg to pass through the cut-out. The ring portion has a top located remotest from the proximal end of the body. The cut-out is formed at a location remote from a top of the ring portion.

Abstract: An outer tubular envelope for covering an elongated inserting portion of an inserting apparatus such as, for example, an endoscope. A plurality of strands are braided into the form of a tube. At least one of the strands is different in color from the remaining strands and is woven thereinto so as to extend helically at a constant pitch.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising an operating body and an inserting portion extending therefrom. The inserting portion is provide with a bendable section which is composed of a plurality of tubular members arranged in facing relation to each other along an axis of the inserting portion. Each pair of adjacent tubular member are pivotally connected to each other. At least one pair of manipulating wires extend through the inserting portion to pivotally move each pair of adjacent tubular members relatively to each other, in order to curve the bendable section. A pair of wire guide members are fixedly received respectively in a pair of recesses formed in an inner peripheral surface of each tubular member. The manipulating wires extend respectively through the wire guide members on each tubular member.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising a proximal structure and an inserting structure extending from an operating body of the proximal structure. A guide tube assembly extending within the inserting structure comprises an inner tube formed of porous resin and an outer tube formed of imperforate resin. The inner tube has one end communicating with a proximal opening provided in the proximal structure and the other end communicating with a distal opening provided in a distal end of the inserting structure. A hollow portion of the inner tube communicates with an annular region between the inner and outer tubes through pores of a peripheral wall of the inner tube. The annular region communicates with a port provided in at least one of the proximal structure and the distal end of the inserting structure.

Abstract: A laser beam admitting device comprises a support structure for supporting an optical fiber having a core and a clad layer surrounding the core. Laser beam is admitted into a beam admitting end of the optical fiber through a condensing optical system. The support structure supports the optical fiber at a supporting location remote from the beam admitting end thereof. The support structure includes a tubular portion extending from the supporting location toward the beam admitting end of the optical fiber. The tubular portion has its inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of the clad layer of the optical fiber. A beam leakage material is disposed between the tubular portion and the clad layer, to allow the laser beam admitted into the clad layer to be diffused to the tubular portion.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus comprises an endoscope and an elongated operating instrument adapted to be inserted into the endoscope. The endoscope includes an inserting portion extending from an operating body and adapted to be inserted into a body cavity. A guide tube is provided on the operating body so as to communicate with a guide channel formed through the operating body and the inserting portion. The operating instrument is inserted from the guide tube into the guide channel while being guided by the guide tube, so that a distal end of the operating instrument projects from the guide channel into the body cavity. The guide tube has a bent configuration and is supported on the operating body for turning movement relative thereto.

Abstract: Apparatus for optically inspecting an object having a reflecting surface includes an irradiating device for emitting illuminating light; a shield member for reflecting the illuminating light to irradiate the object, and a light-receiving device for receiving an image of the object irradiated through the reflection of the illuminating light by the shield member. The shield member covers an extent of a field of vision of the light-receiving device through the reflection of the reflecting surface.

Abstract: A connector device is disclosed for detachably connecting a photographing apparatus to an endoscope eyepiece barrel. A pair of clamping links have their respective one ends pivotally mounted on an attaching ring adapted to be secured to the photographing apparatus, and are movable between an open position where the links are out of a space in the attaching ring for receiving an eyepiece barrel end flange and a closed position where the links extend into the space. The links are biased toward each other by a resilient element. A pair of support links have their respective one ends pivotally connected to each other and the respective other ends pivotally connected to the respective other ends of the clamping links, respectively.

Abstract: An endoscope comprises an operating body and an inserting portion extending therefrom. A distal end section of the inserting portion is formed into a bendable section. An angularly movable member is mounted within the operating body for angular movement around a predetermined axis. The bendable section is operatively connected to the angularly movable member through a pair of operating wires or wire sections. A hydraulic actuator is operatively connected to the angularly movable member. An operating member located exteriorly of the operating body is operatively connected to the angularly movable member.

Abstract: In an endoscope apparatus, an inserting instrument is insertable through an inserting portion of an endoscope so as to have a distal end portion projected from a distal end of the inserting portion. The inserting instrument comprises an outer tubular envelope and an elongated rod-like member located at a distal end of the envelope. An operating device located at a proximal end of the envelope is connected to the rod-like member through a wire member extending through the envelope. The rod-like member is operated to be moved between an inoperative position where the longitudinal axis of the rod-like member extends substantially in coaxial relation to the envelope and an operative position where the longitudinal axis of the rod-like member extends across an extended line of the envelope. The inserting instrument may be utilized as guiding and/or measuring instrument.

Abstract: An endoscope comprises an operating body and an inserting portion extending therefrom. A distal end section of the inserting portion is formed into a resiliently bendable section. An angularly movable member is mounted within the operating body for angular movement around a center of rotation. The bendable section is operatively connected to the angularly movable member through a pair of operating wire sections. An operating member located exteriorly of the operating body is operatively connected to the angularly movable member. A biasing mechanism is associated with the operating body and includes a spring spirally wound within a casing. One end of the spring drawn out of the casing applies a spring force to a point of action on the angularly movable member spaced from the center of rotation thereof.