Abstract: The arrangement of a converging light device array wherein each converging light device increasing a quantity of incident light entering every one or more photoelectric conversion pixel is arranged in front of a photoelectric conversion surface of a solid state imaging device photoelectrically converting an optical image based on an objective optical system substantially ensures that an aperture area of the photoelectric conversion pixel enlarges and the sensitivity improves.

Abstract: A borescope apparatus comprising a flexible insertion section, a jet port formed at the insertion section, a moving device for supplying a compressed fluid to the jet port, whereby the insertion section is moved by an impellent force of the fluid ejected from the jet port, and a stabilizing device for steadily maintaining the position of the insertion section.

Abstract: An endoscope insertion controlling apparatus includes a region extracting apparatus for extracting a plurality of regions corresponding to brightness from an endoscope image, for example, by setting a plurality of threshold levels of brightness and a judging apparatus for determining endoscope inserting conditions such as an inserting direction and progress speed based on an arrangement of the respective regions extracted by the region extracting apparatus. An endoscope inserting direction detecting apparatus includes a light receiving apparatus for receiving light from a visual field narrower than an ordinary observing field of the endoscope, a scanning apparatus for scanning the visual field of the light receiving apparatus and a judging apparatus for determining an endoscope inserting direction based on the received light amount by the light receiving apparatus in the respective visual field directions obtained by scanning the visual field of the light receiving apparatus by the scanning apparatus.

Abstract: This solid state imaging apparatus is provided within the tip part of an insertable part of an endoscope and is provided with an image forming optical system for forming images. This image forming optical system forms an optical image on the imaging surface of a solid state imaging chip provided in the rear of this image forming optical system. This solid state imaging chip is affixed to a circuit substrate extending substantially at right angles with the imaging surface and electrically connected with the solid state imaging chip. This circuit substrate is connected with a signal cable transmitting input and output signals of the solid state imaging chip.

Abstract: An ultrasonic endoscope according to the present invention comprises an insertion portion having a hard distal end portion. A first holding member is provided to the hard distal end portion, and an ultrasonic vibrator is mounted on the first holding member. A second holding member, detachably mounted with respect to the first holding member, is provided at the hard distal end portion, and an observation optical system is mounted on the second holding member. The second holding member is fixed to the first holding member by a fixing means. In the ultrasonic endoscope with the above arrangement, the first holder for holding the ultrasonic vibrator can be separated from the second holder for holding the observation optical system.

Abstract: An endoscope having a light source unit, a light guide fiber for guiding illumination light from the light source unit to the distal end in the inserting section of the endoscope main body, an optical system provided in the distal end for guiding the illumination light transmitted via the light guide fiber to an object, and a solid-state image pickup element incorporated in the distal end. A lens of the optical system is supported by a frame movable along an optical axis thereof. The frame is moved along the optical axis by a wire operating device provided in a control section of the endoscope main body in order to vary the angle of view of the optical system, i.e., the illuminating angle of the illuminating light. The image obtained by the solid-state image pickup element is enlarged by an image enlargement processor in accordance with the angle of view of the optical system, and is displayed. The image enlargement processor has a first frame memory and a second frame memory.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a focused condition of an optical system, in which a light-receiving means arranged at a fixed position corresponding to a focus position photometrically detects a focused condition. A light beam having a definite shape is projected onto an object to be imaged by a light projection means. The reflected light beam is conducted along an optical axis of the optical system, deflected, and detected by the light receiving means for determining whether a focused condition exists. Several embodiments are disclosed for projecting a light spot of high contrast on the object and for detecting a focused condition on the basis of the intensity distribution of light received by the light-receiving means. The apparatus may be applied to an endoscope and other optical systems.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a focused condition of an optical system, in which a light-receiving means arranged at a fixed position corresponding to a focus position photometrically detects a focused condition. A light beam having a definite shape is projected onto an object to be imaged by a light projection means. The reflected light beam is conducted along an optical axis of the optical system, deflected, and detected by the light receiving means for determining whether a focused condition exists. Several embodiments are disclosed for projecting a light spot of high contrast of the object and for detecting a focused condition on the basis of the intensity distribution of light received by the light-receiving means. The apparatus may be applied to an endoscope and other optical systems.

Abstract: The photosensor is provided with a light-receiving surface for receiving a reflected image of an object and in which an aperture is provided. The aperture is positioned so as to receive a focused image and means are provided to prevent light from leaking directly to the light-receiving surface from the aperture. Prevention of light leakage permits focusing to be detected at high precision.