Abstract: The optical element includes a base member configured to have an optical surface, a concave-convex structure configured to have an average pitch smaller than a shortest wavelength of a use wavelength range, and an intermediate layer formed between the optical surface and the concave-convex structure, made of a material different from that of the concave-convex structure, and having a refractive index between those of the base member and the material of the concave-convex structure. The optical surface is formed into a shape having a rotational symmetry axis. A thickness of the intermediate layer or each of thicknesses of the intermediate layer and the concave-convex structure varies so as to increase as a distance from the rotational symmetry axis increases. The optical element has good anti-reflection performance not only at a central part of the optical surface having a small curvature radius but also at a peripheral part thereof.

Abstract: An optical element including a first layer (011) made of a medium having optical anisotropy, wherein a difference between refractive indexes nh and nl (nh>nl) at a central wavelength ? for first and second polarized lights which enter the optical element and whose polarization directions are different from each other is at least 0.1, and wherein conditions (nt1?nl)·(nl?nt2)?0 and nt1<nl are satisfied, where nt1 and nt2 denote refractive indexes of a second layer (012) and a third layer (013) optically adjacent to the first layer in both sides of the first layer and made of isotropic media at the central wavelength.

Abstract: A gas supply apparatus is provided and has first and second fittings and first and second tubes. The first fitting is provided to discharge a gas of a first pressure therethrough, while the second fitting is provided to discharge a gas of a second pressure therethrough. The first tube has one end to which a first connector connectable to the first fitting is attached and supplies the first-pressure gas to a first body cavity of a subject. The second tube has one end to which a second connector connectable to the second fitting is attached and supplies the second-pressure gas to a second body cavity of the subject. The apparatus may comprise an erroneous-connection preventing device preventing an erroneous connection including at least one of a connection of the first connector to the second fitting and a further connection of the second connector to the first fitting.

Abstract: A polarizing beam splitter has a periodic structure including a plurality of structured portions periodically disposed in a first direction at intervals equal to or shorter than a used wavelength. The periodic structure satisfies a condition that, of an incident light flux, polarized light that vibrates in one direction is totally reflected. The polarizing beam splitter has an optical interference layer disposed adjacent to the periodic structure and including at least one thin film layer.

Abstract: An optical element is disclosed which has an excellent optical low-pass filter effect. The optical element has optical anisotropy and separates entering light into light rays having polarization directions perpendicular to each other. The optical element satisfies the following conditions: 0.1<|ne?no|, and ?max<?. no and ne represent refractive indices for ordinary and extraordinary rays at a wavelength of 530 nm, ? represents an angle between the direction of an optic axis of the optical element and a normal to an incident surface of the optical element, and ?max represents an angle between the direction of the optic axis and the normal to the incident surface at which the angle of separation is maximized when the light that enters the incident surface of the optical element at the normal angle is separated into the light rays.

Abstract: An optical system includes an optical element formed of resin. On at least one of optical surfaces on the light incidence side of the optical element formed of resin, a plurality of depressions or protrusions of a size not larger than the wavelengths of visible light is formed without a periodic structure or in a random arrangement.

Abstract: In a gas supply system, a selection unit is configured to send an instruction to select any one of first gas and second gas. In the gas supply system, a controller is operative to control at least one of a first gas supply unit for supplying the first gas and a second gas supply unit for supplying the second gas to selectively insufflate any one of the first gas and second gas into a body based on the instruction sent from the selection unit.

Abstract: According to the method and the apparatus for curing a coated film of the present invention, since an ionization radiation is applied after the O2 concentration in the near-surface layer within 1 mm above the surface of the coated film is adjusted to 1000 ppm or lower, the coated film can be sufficiently cured by irradiation of the ionization radiation. In other words, according to the method and the apparatus for curing a coated film of the present invention, since the O2 concentration in a thin near-surface layer on the surface of a coated film is decreased, the coated film can be sufficiently cured by irradiation of an ionization radiation. As a result, the amount of inert gas supplied upon irradiation of an ionization radiation can be reduced, and downsizing and cost reduction of equipment can be achieved.

Abstract: A gas supplying apparatus according to the present invention includes a switching unit, which is connected to a gas supplying channel of an endoscope, configured to supply gas to the body cavity of a patient via the gas supplying channel, and switches to a state of supplying gas to the gas supplying channel or a state of stopping supply of gas, a time measuring unit configured to measure gas supply time, and a control unit, which is electrically connected to the time measuring unit, configured to control the switching unit, wherein the control unit controls the switching unit to make the gas supply to the gas supplying channel, and then controls the switching unit to switch from a state of supplying the gas to the gas supplying channel to a state of stopping supply of the gas when gas supply time by the time measuring unit is inputted, and the gas supply time measured by the time measuring unit reaches predetermined setting time set beforehand.

Abstract: The ultrasound puncture system in accordance with the present invention comprises a handpiece which accommodates an ultrasound vibrator, a puncturing probe for transmitting ultrasound waves to a biological wall which is to be punctured, an outer cover tube covering the probe and attached to the handpiece, and an ultrasound power source unit for driving the ultrasound vibrator, wherein the ultrasound power source unit comprises a termination unit for terminating the energy supply to the ultrasound vibrator, an impedance detector for detecting the puncture state of the probe, and a fluid supply unit for supplying a fluid to the distal end opening of the outer cover tube and probe, wherein the penetration of the probe through the biological wall is detected with the detection unit and the supply of energy to the ultrasound vibrator is terminated based on the detection output.

Abstract: An optical element is disclosed which has an excellent optical low-pass filter effect. The optical element has optical anisotropy and separates entering light into light rays having polarization directions perpendicular to each other. The optical element satisfies the following conditions: 0.1<|ne?no|, and ?max<?. no and ne represent refractive indices for ordinary and extraordinary rays at a wavelength of 530 nm, ? represents an angle between the direction of an optic axis of the optical element and a normal to an incident surface of the optical element, and ?max represents an angle between the direction of the optic axis and the normal to the incident surface at which the angle of separation is maximized when the light that enters the incident surface of the optical element at the normal angle is separated into the light rays.

Abstract: A gas supply apparatus measures a first pressure inside a first body cavity of a patient and a second pressure inside a second body cavity of the patient. The gas supply apparatus regulates a pressure of a predetermined gas based on the measured first and second pressures inside the first and second body cavities.

Abstract: In a medical image display system, a gas supply unit is configured to supply first gas into a first cavity and second gas into a second cavity. A switching display unit is connected to a display and is configured to determine whether the first gas or the second gas is supplied from the gas supply unit. The switching display unit is configured to switchably display the first medical image and the second medical image on the screen of the display based on the determined result.

Abstract: An endoscopic system includes an endoscope having a delivery member available to supply a body cavity of a specimen and, in addition thereto, a gas supply apparatus from which predetermined gas is supplied to a body cavity via a delivery member. The endoscopic system further includes a determination unit that determines whether or not there is a status in which, the gas supply device needs to supply gas to the body cavity, and a control unit that selectively and automatically control a permit and stop for the gas supply to be implemented by the gas supply apparatus depending on a determined result of the determination unit, which are formed in a unitary structure with, for instance, the gas supply unit.

Abstract: In a gas supply system, a selection unit is configured to send an instruction to select any one of first gas and second gas. In the gas supply system, a controller is operative to control at least one of a first gas supply unit for supplying the first gas and a second gas supply unit for supplying the second gas to selectively insufflate any one of the first gas and second gas into a body based on the instruction sent from the selection unit.

Abstract: A gas supply apparatus measures a first pressure inside a first body cavity of a specimen and a second pressure inside a second body cavity of the specimen. The gas supply apparatus regulates a pressure of a predetermined gas based on the measured first and second pressures inside the first and second body cavities so that the first and second pressures reach predetermined first and second pressure settings, respectively.

Abstract: A gas supply apparatus is provided and has first and second fittings and first and second tubes. The first fitting is provided to discharge a gas of a first pressure therethrough, while the second fitting is provided to discharge a gas of a second pressure therethrough. The first tube has one end to which a first connector connectable to the first fitting is attached and supplies the first-pressure gas to a first body cavity of a subject. The second tube has one end to which a second connector connectable to the second fitting is attached and supplies the second-pressure gas to a second body cavity of the subject. The apparatus may comprise an erroneous-connection preventing device preventing an erroneous connection including at least one of a connection of the first connector to the second fitting and a further connection of the second connector to the first fitting.

Abstract: In a gas supply apparatus, a switching unit switches output of a predetermined gas to any one of first and second delivery members. A pressure regulator regulates a pressure of the predetermined gas to a first pressure suitable for the first body cavity when the output of predetermined gas is switched to the first delivery member by the switching unit. The pressure regulator regulates the pressure of the predetermined gas to a second pressure suitable for the second body cavity when the output predetermined gas is switched to the second delivery member by the switching unit.

Abstract: In a gas supply system, a controller is electrically connected to a pressure regulator and an operation switch. The controller is operative to control the pressure regulator so that a predetermined gas is supplied to a first delivery member directing to a first body cavity with its pressure regulated to a first pressure suitable for the first body cavity. The controller is operative to control the pressure regulator depending on an instruction sent from the operation switch upon operation of the operator so that the predetermined gas is supplied to a second delivery member directing to a second body cavity with its pressure regulated to a second pressure suitable for the second body cavity.

Abstract: A gas supply system appropriate for an abdominal cavity and a luminal cavity is provided. The gas supply system reduces a pressure of gas, supplied from a source of gas for supplying gas of a predetermined kind, to a predetermined pressure value upon which gas, whose pressure is reduced, is controllably lowered to a first pressure value appropriate for a body cavity of a first kind of a specimen to allow gas to be supplied to the body cavity of the first kind. In the meantime, gas, supplied from the source of gas, is lowered to a second pressure value appropriate for a body cavity of a second kind of the specimen to allow gas to be supplied to the body cavity of the second kind.