Abstract: An endoscope capable of being autoclaved in accordance with the present invention includes an insertion unit, an internal endoscope space, and contents. The insertion unit has a soft member, which is made of a soft polymeric material, as at least part of a casing thereof. The internal endoscope space includes the internal space of the insertion unit that is formed at a first sealing level at which the internal space is sealed in a watertight manner relative to an outside. The contents include at least one hermetically sealed unit composed of a plurality of airtight partition members and formed at a second sealing level higher than the first sealing level by joining the meeting portions of the airtight partition members using an airtight joining material. All or part of the airtight partition members is stowed in the internal endoscope space.

Abstract: In this invention, a drum around which an insertion portion is wound is integrally housed in a carrying case, and a cylinder for supplying a fluid to a hydropneumatic actuator and a solenoid valve unit for controlling the application of a hydropneumatic pressure are housed in the carrying case or drum. In addition, a joystick for operating the controlled variables of the solenoid valve unit can be housed in the carrying case.

Abstract: There is provided a light shielding plate to shield light from a light source lamp, and this light shielding plate is rotated and driven by a light shielding plate drive circuit, and a charge stored in a CCD for a period of, for example, 20H at a start of an effective period J of a vertical scanning period, is discharged and this is set as a non-operating period and a drive control over the light shielding plate for a period of 40.5H which is a sum of this non-operating period and a blanking period B (20.5H) is performed. This provides an adequate margin of time for controlling the light shielding plate at starting and stopping times and makes the drive control easier.

Abstract: A self-spotting apparatus for free-weights [101] provides two cable assemblies [107A, 107B] with one end of each cable assembly attached to a free-weight assembly [115] and the opposite end attached to respective linear weight-support assemblies [123A, 123B] via respective weight-responsive engagement blocks [125A, 125B]. Guide rods [127A, 127B] allow vertical motion of the engagement blocks and maintain engagement orientation relative to the support assemblies. The engagement blocks engage the respective support assemblies for static support of the free-weight assembly. Lifting of the substantial weight of the free-weight assembly and activation of disengagement bias is required to disengage the engagement blocks from the respective support assemblies to allow free motion of the free-weight assembly. The apparatus provides self-spotting for barbells [115] and dumbbells [247A].

Abstract: A trocar sleeve capable of holding an endoscopic camera system and an associated endoscopic camera system are provided. When integrated with the trocar sleeve, the endoscopic camera can be used to provide a panoramic overview of the surgical area to supplement the view provided by a main endoscopic camera. The trocar sleeve includes a tube and a base coupled to the tube. The tube includes a channel for accommodating a surgical tool, such as a trocar. The tube further includes a receptacle separate from the channel, for allowing removable attachment of an endoscope to the trocar sleeve. The base includes a fastener for allowing removable attachment of an endoscopic camera head to the trocar sleeve. The camera head has a corresponding fastener for mating with the fastener of the base.

Abstract: In an endoscope, an aspirated mucosa movement regulating portion is provided in a position intermediate between the distal end and the bottom of a tip hood for ensuring that the mucous membrane aspirated from the distal end of the tip hood toward an aspiration port will not get to viewing window.

Abstract: Using a non-coherent optical bundle having a plurality of fibers for image transmission. The fibers of the non-coherent optical bundle may be calibrated to generate a mapping function. Image data at a sending end of the non-coherent optical bundle may be obtained and transmitted over the non-coherent optical bundle, the image data being scrambled during transmission to produce scrambled image data at a receiving end of the non-coherent optical bundle. The mapping function may be applied to the scrambled image data to reproduce the image data for use in an imaging system.

Abstract: An endoscope can undergo at least one of cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization at high temperature. The endoscope includes an elongated insertion member and a control section joined to the proximal end of the insertion member. A drop in the temperature of at least part of the outer surface of the insertion member occurring when the endoscope is cooled to predetermined temperature after being processed at high temperature is substantially equal to or larger than a drop in the temperature of at least part of the outer surface of any member other than said part of the outer surface of the insertion member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus where the output from a high intensity light source is controlled so that whenever the output is not directed at a surface, the light source output intensity is automatically reduced to a safe level. This is achieved by monitoring the reflected light from a surface and when this reflection indicates that the light source is not directed at a surface, the light intensity is reduced to a safe level.

Abstract: In an endoscope tip part in which a lens barrel is arranged and fixed to a mounting hole of a support body of the endoscope tip part and to this lens barrel, and an optical member such as an optical filter or a prism is connected by an optical part holding fixture, a part of an endoscope outer peripheral side of the optical part holding fixture is cut off, and to this notch part, the mounting hole is extended out like an extending part, and a step part on an outside of this support member is made deep (diameter is reduced). If an end part of an outer skin is bound with a string on this step part with a small diameter and fixed by adhesives, a swell of an outer skin fixing part is eliminated, and an insertion of the endoscope also becomes easy.

Abstract: A monocular borescope or endoscope is provided with an image relaying means (16) defining a longitudinal axis (L)(and with a viewing means comprising an ocular lens (20) and field mask (18) defining a central axis (C) which is parallel to and offset from the longitudinal axis (L). In one embodiment the ocular lens (20) is coincident with the central axis (C) of the mask (18), while in another embodiment the ocular lens (20) is coincident with the longitudinal axis (L). The mask (18) is arranged to be mountable in a number of different rotational orientations each providing a different offset between the longitudinal axis (L) and the central axis (C).

Abstract: A real-time structured light depth extraction system includes a projector for projecting structured light patterns onto an object of interest. A camera positioned off-axis from the projector samples light reflected from the object synchronously with the projection of structured light patterns and outputs digital signals indicative of the reflected light. An image processor/controller receives the digital signals from the camera and processes the digital signals to extract depth information of the object in real time.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endoscope shaft comprising a movable distal end portion and an operating device which is operatively connected through the endoscope shaft with the distal end portion for the operation thereof. The distal end portion comprises a plurality of longitudinally stacked swelling bodies, two of which at a time are located diametrically with respect to each other and form a layer and two longitudinally directly adjacent pairs of bodies of which at a time are phase-shifted by 90°.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided having a shaft and a handle extending to the side of the shaft at the proximal end. A mechanism is provided for pivoting the view direction in an observation area and has at least one operating element being engaged with the mechanism for actuating the mechanism. The at least one operating element is positioned on the handle, such that the mechanism is actuatable with at least one finger or thumb of the same hand holding the handle.

Abstract: A probe of an endoscope comprises a light guide fiber bundle and an image guide fiber bundle. The light guide fiber bundle supplies illumination light to the distal end of the probe, to illuminate the observed object. The illumination light is reflected by the observed object, and enters the end surface of the image guide fiber bundle. When the radius of the image guide fiber bundle is a, the radius of the light guide fiber bundle is b, and the inner radius of the probe is 1, a and b satisfy the following conditions. 0.545≦a≦0.581 0.419≦b≦0.

Abstract: An improved laryngoscope of the type having a handle for grasping and a blade being rigid and extending from the handle for inserting into the mouth of a patient during use. The improvement includes the blade being so shaped for contacting, supporting, and displacement of the bottom of the mouth of the patient and not bearing on the lower teeth of the patient so as to avoid damage to the lower teeth of the patient during use and so as to allow the lower jaw of the patient to be opened during use and being so shaped for contacting the front of the lower jaw of the patient so as to allow the lower jaw of the patient to be thrust forwardly during use.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope having a video-scope with an image sensor, a video-processor and a display has an image forming processor, a signal processor and a display-state changing processor. The signal processor generates video signals on the basis of image-pixel signals from the image sensor and outputs said video signals to said display. The display-state changing processor changes a display-state from a normal-display to a magnified-display and from the magnified-display to the normal-display. In the case of the normal-display, the image forming processor forms a normal-display subject image composed of a smaller number of pixels than that of the all-pixel subject image. In the case of the magnified-display, the image forming processor forms a magnified-display subject image composed of pixels arranged within a part-area.

Abstract: An endoscope having a control section and a shaft extending from the control section. The shaft comprises an outer cover; a tubular braid member located, at least partially, inside the outer cover; and a support frame located, at least partially, inside the tubular braid member. The support frame comprises a shape memory member which is spiral shaped. The shape memory member is comprised of a superelastic shape memory alloy. A first length of the support frame comprises the shape memory member having a first width and/or thickness a second length of the tubular shape comprises the shape memory member having a different second width and/or thickness such that the support frame has different respective stiffnesses along the first and second lengths.

Abstract: An optical scope for viewing a feature at an inaccessible location includes a tube having a distal end which is insertable in use into an inaccessible location and a proximal end connected to a housing. The tube contains an optical system for gathering an image of a feature and relaying the image to a viewer. The tube also contains a device for directing a laser beam to a first reference point in the distal end, a first reflector mounted in the distal end for rotation about the first reference point to change the direction of the laser beam so as to direct the beam out of the scope to a target feature, and a second reflector mounted in the distal end for rotation about a second reference point to change the direction of a reference axis intersecting the second reference point so as to cause the axis to intersect the laser beam at a target feature.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for combiningly performing four important exercises localized to the lower back with the addition of weight resistance: a) the rotation or torsion of the lower spine and the lower back muscles; b) the bending of the spine forward and the exercising of abdominal muscles; c) the bending of the spine rearward and the exercising of the lumbar and erector muscles; d) the stretching and self-postural adjustment of the spine. The user performs the four exercises in the horizontal position with both legs in raised position. A swinging member accommodates the legs and allows the swinging, side-to-side motion of the legs. A second pivotal member helps the bending of the pelvis forward and rearward. A roller support assembly supports and massages the entire back during exercises. The user's body rests on an anatomical cushion support during exercises.