Abstract: An optical module includes an optical element, a first substrate, on a first principal plane of which the optical element is mounted, a holding member disposed on a second principal plane of the first substrate, an optical fiber inserted into a through hole of the holding member, a holding substrate with an opening, a wall surface of which is in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the holding member, an interconnecting substrate connecting the first substrate and the holding substrate, a side surface substrate, an end portion of which is connected to the holding substrate and on which an electrode is disposed, and a signal cable, a distal end portion of which is bonded to the electrode of the side surface substrate.

Abstract: An imaging element includes: a plurality of pixels where each pixel is configured to generate an imaging signal; a noise eliminating circuit configured to eliminate a noise component included in the imaging signal; a plurality of column source follower buffers where each column source follower buffer is configured to amplify the imaging signal from which the noise component has been eliminated by the noise eliminating circuit, and output the amplified signal; a horizontal scanning circuit configured to sequentially select the column source follower buffer and output the imaging signal; and a buffer circuit which is connected with the column source follower buffer sequentially selected by the horizontal scanning circuit to form a voltage follower circuit, the buffer circuit being configured to perform impedance conversion on a voltage of the imaging signal output from the column source follower buffer, and output the converted signal to an outside.

Abstract: A stereoscopic endoscope apparatus includes: an insertion portion; a variable focus objective optical system; a fixed focus objective optical system; an image pickup section; an image signal generation output section that outputs an image signal for two-dimensional display when a focal length of the variable focus objective optical system and a focal length of the fixed focus objective optical system are different from each other, and outputs an image signal for stereoscopic observation when the focal length of the variable focus objective optical system and the focal length of the fixed focus objective optical system are coincident with each other in the near point observation state.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a computer that is configured to: detect edge-strength information expressing an edge strength in an acquired image; apply noise-reduction processing using spatial information to the image; apply noise-reduction processing using frequency information to the image; and composite a first processed image subjected to the noise-reduction processing using spatial information and a second processed image subjected to the noise-reduction processing using frequency information, by using weights in which a compositing ratio of the first processed image becomes higher than a compositing ratio of the second processed image, in a region where the edge strength, which is expressed by the detected edge-strength information, is greater than a predetermined threshold, and in which the compositing ratio of the second processed image becomes higher than the compositing ratio of the first processed image, in a region where the edge strength is less than the threshold.

Abstract: A three-dimensional position information acquiring method includes acquiring an image of a first optical image; thereafter acquiring an image of a second optical image; and performing a computation using image data of the first and second optical images. Acquisition of the image of the first optical image is based on light beams having passed through a first area. Acquisition of the image of the second optical image is based on light beams having passed through a second area. The positions of the centers of the first and second areas are both away from the optical axis of an optical system in a plane perpendicular to said optical axis. The first and second areas respectively include at least portions that do not overlap with each other. Three-dimensional position information about an observed object is acquired by the computation. The first and second areas are formed at rotationally symmetric positions.

Abstract: A guidance device includes: a magnetic field generation unit configured to generate the magnetic field; a movement mechanism configured to move the magnetic field generation unit in a vertical direction; a rotation mechanism configured to rotate the magnetic field generation unit in a vertical plane including a magnetization direction of the magnetic field generation unit; an input unit configured to input first operation information for changing posture of a capsule medical device; and a control unit configured to: cause the rotation mechanism to rotate the magnetic field generation unit to change the posture of the capsule medical device based on the first operation information; and control the movement mechanism to change a distance between the magnetic field generation unit and the capsule medical device to correct a magnetic attracting force in a vertical direction of the capsule medical device.

Abstract: An endoscope device includes: an normal light image acquisition unit that acquires an normal light image; a special light image acquisition unit that acquires a special light image; a blended image generation unit that generates a blend image by combining one color component image from among a plurality of color component images constituting the normal light image and the special light image; and a superimposed image generation unit that generates a color superimposed image by combining the blended image with another color component image. The blended image generation unit generates the blended image by replacing a part of the pixels of the one color component image with the corresponding pixels of the special light image such that they are blended in a substantially uniform distribution over the entire blended image.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a flexible substrate, the flexible substrate includes a plurality of functional regions segmented by bending portions, one of the functional regions is an image pickup device mounting region, one of the functional regions is at least two electronic component mounting regions folded at the bending portions, and one of the functional regions is at least one wiring region provided between the adjacent mounting regions of the flexible substrate, the image pickup device mounting region has a largest surface shape among the plurality of functional regions, and the plurality of functional regions decrease in length of each of at least paired opposing sides of each surface shape, in a stepwise manner as a distance from the image pickup device mounting region increases.

Abstract: A microscope apparatus includes: a light source configured to irradiate a specimen with illumination light; a revolver configured to hold plural objective lenses and arranges the plural objective lenses switchably onto an optical path; a sensor configured to detect an objective lens arranged on the optical path; a first illumination light quantity table configured to store therein a first illumination light quantity set for each of the plural objective lenses; a second illumination light quantity table configured to store therein a second illumination light quantity specified by an observer; an illumination light quantity setting unit configured to set validity/invalidity of the first illumination light quantity and second illumination light quantity; and an illumination controller configured to control light quantity of the light source to the first illumination light quantity or second illumination light quantity validated by the illumination light quantity setting unit.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes: a clamp section main body which is movable between a close position that is close to a vibration transmission member and an away position that is away from the vibration transmission member; a pressure pad provided on the clamp section main body and provided on a position that is close to the vibration transmission member, the pressure pad being brought into contact with the vibration transmission member when the clamp section main body is in the close position; and a pressing member which is configured to press the vibration transmission member in association with the clamp section main body coming close to the close position, and is configured to decrease pressure of contact between the pressure pad and the vibration transmission member.

Abstract: A light sheet microscope includes an objective, an illumination optical system, a first adjustor, a second adjustor and a controller. The illumination optical system irradiates sample with a light sheet from a direction that is different from an optical axis direction of the objective. The first adjustor adjusts a relative position between a light sheet plane on which the light sheet is formed and the objective in an optical axis direction of the objective. The second adjustor adjusts a relative position between the light sheet plane and the sample in an optical axis direction of the objective. The controller controls the first adjustor on the basis of light that is from the light sheet plane and that is detected via the objective when a relative position between the light sheet plane and the sample is changed by the second adjustor.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes a color image pickup device, a light source device configured to simultaneously illuminate the subject with light in a first wavelength band having a spectral characteristic of a narrow band having a peak in a range from a wavelength of 585 nm to a wavelength of 615 nm and light in a second wavelength band having a spectral characteristic for making, among a red signal, a green signal, and a blue signal, a pixel value of the red signal smallest, and a processor configured to assign either one of the red signal generated by return light from the subject illuminated with the light in the first wavelength band and the green signal or the blue signal generated by return light from the subject illuminated with the light in the second wavelength band to each of output channels corresponding to the respective colors in a display device.

Abstract: A variable stiffness device includes a shape-memory unit formed of at least two hollow shape-memory members connected together. Each of the shape-memory members is transitionable in phase between a first phase in which the shape-memory member is in a low stiffness state and a second phase in which the shape-memory member is in a high stiffness state. The shape-memory member in the high stiffness state has a higher level of stiffness than in the low stiffness state. Hollow portions of the shape-memory members are connected together so that the shape-memory unit has a lumen-like inner space configured to allow fluid for cooling the shape-memory members to flow. The variable stiffness device also includes a heating member configured to heat the shape-memory members.

Abstract: An operation switch includes a concave portion in which an inner peripheral surface is constituted by a first inclined surface that is reduced in diameter toward a bottom portion from an external surface of a frame and a cylindrical portion that is formed in a pressing type operation button mounted on the concave portion and in which an outer peripheral surface is constituted by a second inclined surface that has a gradient larger than a gradient of the first inclined surface and faces the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion.

Abstract: In an endoscope cleaning work support device, an operation reception unit received an input from a cleaner. A display control unit controls the display unit to display a procedure for manual cleaning of an endoscope on a display unit step by step. A measurement unit measures a first period of time from a start time of a procedure in a current step marked by reception of an input for displaying the procedure in the current step by the operation reception unit, to an end time of the procedure in the current step marked by reception of an input for displaying a procedure in a subsequent step by the operation reception unit. A comparison determination unit compares a reference period of time defined for each step for displaying the procedure with the first period of time. The display control unit displays information for alerting the cleaner when the first period of time is shorter than the reference period of time on the display unit.

Abstract: A light source apparatus for endoscope includes a light source configured to generate illumination light, a light source connector receiving member into or from which a light source connector provided in a connector of an endoscope is inserted or removed, a light blocking unit in which a light blocking plate configured to close an opening portion of the light source connector receiving section is disposed to be openable and closable, and an assist unit including a movable member configured to interlock with the insertion or removal of the light source connector into or from the light source connector receiving section by abutting on the light blocking plate and close the opening portion of the light source connector receiving section to press the light blocking plate in a closing direction in which the illumination light from the light source is blocked.

Abstract: In an endoscopic treatment method, a damaged area is formed in a digestive tract at least a portion in a circumferential direction of the digestive tract, the damaged area being formed by ablating mucosal layer while remaining the mucosal layer, and an incomplete stenosis is formed in the digestive tract, during performance of a process of restoration of the damaged area.

Abstract: A medical gripping tool includes: an elongated insertion section; a gripping section; an operating unit; and a wire that transmits, to the gripping section, a driving force input to the operating unit. The gripping section includes a pair of gripping pieces supported so as to be relatively swivelable. The pair of gripping pieces include a pair of first gripping sections, and a pair of second gripping sections that are disposed at positions farther away from a swiveling axis than the pair of first gripping sections are. In a state in which the pair of gripping pieces are closed by the driving force transmitted by the wire, opposed surfaces of the pair of first gripping sections are disposed with a first distance therebetween, and opposed surfaces of the pair of second gripping sections are disposed with a second distance, which is longer than the first distance, therebetween.

Abstract: In a measurement method, a processor selects one first image included in a plurality of two-dimensional images of a subject. The processor sets one of the selected first image and one second image extracted from the plurality of two-dimensional images on the basis of the selected first image as a measurement image. The processor extracts at least one third image from the plurality of two-dimensional images. The processor generates a three-dimensional shape of the subject on the basis of a position and a posture of a camera when each image is generated. The processor determines whether or not an image is suitable for measurement with respect to at least one of the first image, the measurement image, and the third image.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes a first capsule endoscope device and a second capsule endoscope device. The first capsule endoscope device is introduced into a living body before the second capsule endoscope device is introduced. The first capsule endoscope device includes a first image sensor and a first processor that controls an imaging operation by the first image sensor. The second capsule endoscope device includes a second image sensor and a second processor that performs a change process for control on an imaging operation by the second image sensor based on first information on the first capsule endoscope device.