Abstract: A holding device 20 includes a fixed portion 21 having a rectangular hole 21a and locking grooves 21b; a holding groove 22 having a notch portion 22a through which an intermediated portion of a probe 1 passes; and a holding hole 23 through which the distal portion of the probe 1 is inserted. The depth of the holding groove 22 is formed to a sufficient extent to allow the intermediate portion 1b to be pressed down into the holding groove at least twice in a superimposed state. The width of the notch portion 22a is formed so as to prevent the intermediated portion 1b from falling out. In order to locate the top portion 23a of the holding hole 23 on the lower side than the bottom portion 22c of the holding groove 22, a spacing B is provided therebetween. A rectangular projection 31a is engaged in a rectangular hole 21a in the fixed portion 21.

Abstract: Position detecting elements are disposed in an endoscope insertion portion at predetermined intervals. Even when the endoscope insertion portion is bent, position data representing the detected positions of the elements is used to infer or detect the shape of the insertion portion. A virtual element is disposed between adjoining elements so that a predetermined condition will be met. Position data of the virtual element is used together with the actually detected position data in order to interpolate data for the purpose of detecting the shape of the insertion portion. Consequently, as if a larger number of elements were disposed, the shape of the insertion portion can be detected highly precisely.

Abstract: By disposing a plurality of magnetic-field generating elements in the inserted portion of an endoscope, and by detecting it using a magnetic-field detecting unit disposed around the inserted portion, the shape of the inserted portion inserted into a body cavity is detected and it is displayed on a display device. For this purpose, it is determined whether the inserted portion is in an effective detection range in which the insertion portion shape can be detected by a detecting unit with a practicable accuracy, and by changing the display color of the inserted portion shape based on the determination result, it can be easily checked whether the inserted portion is in the effective detection range.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus comprises an endoscope having a treatment tool passage channel in at least an insertion portion, an adaptor for endoscope forceps opening, which can be detachably attached to a treatment tool insertion opening which is at one end of the treatment tool passage channel, an insertion shape detection probe provided with a plurality of shape detection elements which are to be passed and arranged in the treatment tool passage channel via the adaptor for endoscope forceps opening, an insertion shape detection unit for detecting magnetic field emitted from the shape detection elements of the insertion shape detection probe, an insertion shape detection device which drives the insertion shape detection probe and outputs video signals for visualizing the insertion shape from the signals corresponding to the magnetic field detected by the insertion shape detection unit, and a display device for displaying the insertion shape of the insertion portion based on the video signals output from the inser

Abstract: The present invention provides a resin composition for a slide fastener. In one embodiment, upon setting, the resin composition does not melt even upon contact with a hot surface. In addition, the fastener provides low sliding resistance or friction, as well as durability and structural strength to withstand repeated opening and closing operations. Finally, the fastener can be dyed with cloth in the same bath.

Abstract: An endoscope shape detection system has a CPU included in a control unit. The CPU performs frequency sampling of digital data to calculate coordinates indicating the spatial positions of source coils incorporated in an insertion unit of an endoscope received in a patient and of marker coils placed on a patient. An inserted state of the insertion unit of the endoscope is estimated based on the calculated coordinate data indicating the positions of the source coils. Display data based on the shape of the endoscope is produced from the calculated coordinate data indicating the positions of the source coils, and output to a video RAM. Display data of the marker coils is produced from the calculated coordinate data indicating the positions of the marker coils, and output to the video RAM. Consequently, the positions of the markers are depicted together with the shape of the endoscope. The positional relationship between the insertion unit of the endoscope and a patient's body can therefore be ascertained.

Abstract: A shape-of-endoscope detecting apparatus generally includes a shape detection unit, a marker, a marker locator unit, and a display control unit. The shape detection unit detects the shape of a portion of an insertion unit of an endoscope inserted into a subject, and produces graphic data expressing the shape thereof. The marker is placed near a position on the subject at which the endoscope is inserted. The marker locator unit acquires the location information of the marker. The display control unit graphically indicates on a display device the shape of the portion inserted into a body cavity, which is detected by the shape detection unit, using as a reference point the location information of the marker acquired by the marker locator. A shape-of-endoscope detecting method generally includes the steps of placing a marker, locating the marker, detecting the shape of the position of an endoscope inserted into a subject, and controlling the display of the detected shape.

Abstract: A shape of endoscope detecting apparatus in accordance with the present invention consists mainly of a shape detection unit, a marker, a location information of marker acquisition unit, and a display control unit. The shape detection unit detects the shape of a portion of an insertion unit of an endoscope inserted into a subject, and produces graphic data expressing the shape thereof. The marker is placed near a position on the subject at which the endoscope is inserted. The location information of marker acquisition unit acquires the location information of the marker. The display control unit graphically indicates on a display device the shape of the portion inserted into a body cavity, which is detected by the shape detection unit, using as a reference the location information of the marker acquired by the location information of marker acquisition unit.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus comprises an endoscope having a treatment tool passage channel in at least an insertion portion, an adaptor for endoscope forceps opening, which can be detachably attached to a treatment tool insertion opening which is at one end of the treatment tool passage channel, an insertion shape detection probe provided with a plurality of shape detection elements which are to be passed and arranged in the treatment tool passage channel via the adaptor for endoscope forceps opening, an insertion shape detection unit for detecting magnetic field emitted from the shape detection elements of the insertion shape detection probe, an insertion shape detection device which drives the insertion shape detection probe and outputs video signals for visualizing the insertion shape from the signals corresponding to the magnetic field detected by the insertion shape detection unit, and a display device for displaying the insertion shape of the insertion portion based on the video signals output from the inser

Abstract: A resin composition for high-frequency bonding with a dielectric loss tangent of 0.03 or higher at a frequency of 40 MHz, containing a thermoplastic resin having a melting point of 80° C. to 200° C. in an amount of 70% to 99% by volume, based on the total volume of the composition, and a conductive material having a volume resistivity of 10−2 &OHgr;.cm or lower in an amount of 30% to 1% by volume, based on the total volume of the composition.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus comprises an endoscope having a treatment tool passage channel in at least an insertion portion, an adaptor for endoscope forceps opening, which can be detachably attached to a treatment tool insertion opening which is at one end of the treatment tool passage channel, an insertion shape detection probe provided with a plurality of shape detection elements which are to be passed and arranged in the treatment tool passage channel via the adaptor for endoscope forceps opening, an insertion shape detection unit for detecting magnetic field emitted from the shape detection elements of the insertion shape detection probe, an insertion shape detection device which drives the insertion shape detection probe and outputs video signals for visualizing the insertion shape from the signals corresponding to the magnetic field detected by the insertion shape detection unit, and a display device for displaying the insertion shape of the insertion portion based on the video signals output from the inser

Abstract: The present invention provides a resin composition for a slide fastener. In one embodiment, upon setting, the resin composition does not melt even upon contact with a hot surface. In addition, the fastener provides low sliding resistance or friction, as well as durability and structural strength to withstand repeated opening and closing operations. Finally, the fastener can be dyed with cloth in the same bath.

Abstract: An endoscope shape detecting system displays an endoscope image and an insertion form image simultaneously on a display means. A first memory stores an endoscope image and a second memory stores an insertion form image. A control device controls a switching action such that the insertion form image is output to the display means during a period wherein the output of the endoscope image to the display means is turned off and stored in the first memory means, and that the output of the insertion form image to the display means is turned off and stored in the second memory during the period wherein the output of the endoscope image to the display is turned on. In addition, a control device is provided that controls the storing action such that a first period for storing endoscope images in the first memory and a second period for storing output signals from a magnetic field detecting device in the second memory do not overlap.

Abstract: A resin composition for high-frequency bonding with a dielectric loss tangent of 0.03 or higher at a frequency of 40 MHz, containing a thermoplastic resin having a melting point of 80° C. to 200° C. in an amount of 70% to 99% by volume, based on the total volume of the composition, and a conductive material having a volume resistivity of 10−2 &OHgr;.cm or lower in an amount of 30% to 1% by volume, based on the total volume of the composition.

Abstract: A shape-of-endoscope detection system has a CPU included in a control unit. The CPU performs frequency sampling on digital data to calculate coordinates indicating the spatial positions of source coils incorporated in an insertion unit of an endoscope and of marker coils. An inserted state of the insertion unit of the endoscope is estimated based on the calculated coordinate data indicating the positions of the source coils. Display data based on which the shape of the endoscope is depicted is produced from the calculated coordinate data indicating the positions of the source coils, and output to a video RAM. Display data based on which the marker coils are depicted is produced from the calculated coordinate data indicating the positions of the marker coils, and output to the video RAM. Consequently, the positions of the markers are depicted together with the shape of the endoscope. The positional relationship between the insertion unit of the endoscope and a patient's body can therefore be grasped.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus comprises an endoscope having a treatment tool passage channel in at least an insertion portion, an adaptor for endoscope forceps opening, which can be detachably attached to a treatment tool insertion opening which is at one end of the treatment tool passage channel, an insertion shape detection probe provided with a plurality of shape detection elements which are to be passed and arranged in the treatment tool passage channel via the adaptor for endoscope forceps opening, an insertion shape detection unit for detecting magnetic field emitted from the shape detection elements of the insertion shape detection probe, an insertion shape detection device which drives the insertion shape detection probe and outputs video signals for visualizing the insertion shape from the signals corresponding to the magnetic field detected by the insertion shape detection unit, and a display device for displaying the insertion shape of the insertion portion based on the video signals output from the inser

Abstract: An endoscope shape detection system has a CPU included in a control unit. The CPU performs frequency sampling on digital data to calculate coordinates indicating the spatial positions of source coils incorporated in an insertion unit of an endoscope and of marker coils. An inserted state of the insertion unit of the endoscope is estimated based on the calculated coordinate data indicating the positions of the source coils. Display data based on which shape of the endoscope depicted is produced from the calculated coordinate data indicating the positions of the source coils, and output to a video RAM. Display data based on which marker coils are depicted is produced from the calculated coordinate data indicating the positions of the marker coils, and output to the video RAM. Consequently, the positions of the markers are depicted together with the shape of the endoscope. The positional relationship between the insertion unit of the endoscope and a patient's body can therefore be ascertained.

Abstract: A source coil line-break/short-circuit detecting circuit and a probe connection detecting circuit are provided to the source coil driving circuit unit of an endoscope shape detecting apparatus. The source coil line-break/short-circuit detecting circuit detects line-breaks and short-circuits of the source coils. The probe connection detecting circuit detects whether a connection exists with a probe. A marker coil line-break/short-circuit detecting circuit detects line-breaks and short-circuits of the marker coils. A marker connection detecting circuit detects whether a connection exists with a marker. Accordingly, using the apparatus without being connected to a probe or markers can be avoided by detecting the connection of the probe and markers by the probe connection detecting circuit and marker connection detecting circuit, respectively, when the system is energized, thereby avoiding detecting noise and consequently displaying a random image on the monitor.

Abstract: By disposing a plurality of magnetic-field generating elements in the inserted portion of an endoscope, and by detecting it using a magnetic-field detecting unit disposed around the inserted portion, the shape of the inserted portion inserted into a body cavity is detected and it is displayed on a display device. For this purpose, it is determined whether the inserted portion is in an effective detection range in which the insertion portion shape can be detected by a detecting unit with a practicable accuracy, and by changing the display color of the inserted portion shape based on the determination result, it can be easily checked whether the inserted portion is in the effective detection range.

Abstract: A grease composition for steering of motorcars which comprises the following components (a) to (f): (a) a thickening agent; (b) a base oil having a pour point of not higher that −40° C.; (c) an organic molybdenum compound; (d) melamine cyanurate; (e) polytetrafluoroethylene; and (f) molybdenum disulfide. The grease composition has load resistance, or seizure-preventing ability and wear-reducing ability high enough to use the grease under severe lubricating conditions, and can impart, to the steering of motorcars, excellent operability at a low temperature.