Abstract: An encoder includes a scale, an encoder head, and a multiplication processing circuit. The encoder head includes a signal generation unit configured to generate a substantially sine-wave signal, and an output unit configured to output one of the substantially sine-wave signal and the center voltage of the substantially sine-wave signal to the multiplication processing circuit. The multiplication processing circuit includes a mode switching unit configured to switch a processing mode to one of an offset voltage detection processing mode in which an offset voltage serving as a difference between a predetermined reference voltage and the center voltage is corrected, and a displacement amount detection processing mode in which displacement detection processing is performed, an offset voltage detection unit configured to detect the offset voltage, and an offset voltage correction unit configured to correct an offset voltage of the substantially sine-wave signal output from the output unit.

Abstract: An insertion apparatus includes a flexible insert section inserted into an insertion target and a curved-shape detection sensor which detects a curved shape of the insert section. The curved-shape detection sensor includes at least a core, a cladding, a coating, and a sensing part mechanically attached to the core and detecting the curved shape. The optical fiber is disposed at least in the insert section. The optical fiber includes at least one displacement restraint section which directly or indirectly restrains a displacement of the sensing part relative to the insert section.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes a light source, a characteristic light-guiding member, a characteristic changing part which changes the optical characteristic of light, and a detecting unit which detects the light having the optical characteristic changed by the characteristic changing part and guided by the characteristic light-guiding member. The optical sensor includes a control member which inhibits at least the twisting of the characteristic light-guiding member, and controls a bending state of the characteristic light-guiding member, and a positioning mechanism which positions the characteristic changing part with respect to at least a circumferential direction of the characteristic light-guiding member.

Abstract: An optical bend measurement apparatus includes a light source unit configured to supply measurement light, an optical transmission body configured to transmit the measurement light, a optical characteristic change members provided in different portions of the optical transmission body, and a photodetection unit configured to detect light output from the optical transmission body. Each optical characteristic change member imposes a change of optical characteristics on light impinging on the optical characteristic change member depending on a bend quantity in a specific direction of a portion of the optical transmission body where the optical characteristic change member is provided. The photodetection unit separates and detects the light that has undergone the change of the optical characteristics to independently measure bend quantities in specific directions of the different portions of the optical transmission bodies based on intensities of the detected light.

Abstract: At least a part of the one characteristic change section is arranged at a position different from at least apart of the other characteristic change section in a circumferential direction of an optical sensor. At least a part of the one characteristic change section is arranged at a position different from at least a part of the other characteristic change section in an axial direction of an optical sensor.

Abstract: An optical sensor has a light source, a characteristic light-guiding member, a characteristic changing part, a detecting unit, and an optical connecting unit. The optical connecting unit has a light branching unit configured to branch the light emitted from the light source to the characteristic light-guiding member, and branches the light guided by the characteristic light-guiding member to the detecting unit.

Abstract: A tubular system includes a tubular apparatus including a flexible inserting section and a physical quantity detector, a physical quantity detector signal processing box to process a signal from the physical quantity detector, and a detachable connection cable to connect the tubular apparatus with the physical quantity detector signal processing box. The physical quantity detector includes an optical waveguide arranged in the inserting section. The connection cable includes a light source to supply light to the optical waveguide, a photodetector to detect light modulated by the physical quantity detector, a light entrance/exit section to supply or receive an optical signal to or from the physical quantity detector, and an electrical input/output section to supply or receive an electrical signal to or from the physical quantity detector signal processing box.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes a light source, a light supply light guide member optically coupled to the light source, detection light guide members, a light distribution unit to distribute light from the light supply light guide member to the detection light guide members, and a light separating detector to separate and detect the light guided by the detection light guide members. Each of the detection light guide members includes a characteristic detection portion whose optical characteristics vary in accordance with a physicochemical state.

Abstract: An insertion apparatus includes an inserting section, a reference unit, a connecting member, and a first shape sensor. The inserting section is inserted into an insertion target. The reference unit is disposed outside the insertion target. The connecting member includes a movable section configured to move continuously and connects the inserting section and the reference unit. The first shape sensor detects a shape of the connecting member with respect to the reference unit by detecting a movable amount of the connecting member.

Abstract: An optical bend measurement apparatus includes a light source unit configured to supply measurement light, an optical transmission body configured to transmit the measurement light, a optical characteristic change members provided in different portions of the optical transmission body, and a photodetection unit configured to detect light output from the optical transmission body. Each optical characteristic change member imposes a change of optical characteristics on light impinging on the optical characteristic change member depending on a bend quantity in a specific direction of a portion of the optical transmission body where the optical characteristic change member is provided. The photodetection unit separates and detects the light that has undergone the change of the optical characteristics to independently measure bend quantities in specific directions of the different portions of the optical transmission bodies based on intensities of the detected light.

Abstract: An object insertion system includes an insertion portion, a first information generator, a storage unit, a second information calculator and an output unit. The first information generator includes at least one sensor and is configured to generate first information indicating at least one of an insertion state and an operation state of the insertion portion in a body cavity. The second information calculator is configured to calculate second information based on the first information generated by the first information generator and at least one of third information and fourth information stored by the storage unit, the second information being operation support information to insert the insertion portion to perform a predetermined work. The output unit is configured to output the second information.

Abstract: A relative position detecting system of a tubular device includes a shape sensor and a relative position detecting section. The shape sensor is configured to detect a shape of the tubular device to be inserted into a tubular cavity of an object. The relative position detecting section is configured to detect a relative positional relation between at least one position in a first range in which the shape of the tubular device is detectable by the shape sensor and at least one position in the tubular cavity.

Abstract: An insertion assist information detection system includes an endoscope apparatus and a movement amount detection sensor. The endoscope apparatus includes an insertion portion to be inserted into a tube, a grasp portion which is grasped by an operator, and a movable portion which mechanically connects the insertion portion and the grasp portion to relatively move the insertion portion and the grasp portion. The movement amount detection sensor detects a relative movement amount of the insertion portion and the grasp portion in the movable portion.

Abstract: A chlorine dioxide gas generating agent pack includes a chlorine dioxide gas generating agent containing a mixture of chlorite powder, gas generation control agent powder, moisture-absorbent powder, water-absorbent resin powder, and activating agent powder; and a gas-permeable film container permeable to water vapor and chlorine dioxide gas and containing the chlorine dioxide gas generating agent. This chlorine dioxide gas generating agent pack is suitable for being carried to a region where sterilization, disinfection and deodorization are required.

Abstract: An optical bend measurement apparatus includes a light source unit configured to supply measurement light, an optical transmission body configured to transmit the measurement light, a optical characteristic change members provided in different portions of the optical transmission body, and a photodetection unit configured to detect light output from the optical transmission body. Each optical characteristic change member imposes a change of optical characteristics on light impinging on the optical characteristic change member depending on a bend quantity in a specific direction of a portion of the optical transmission body where the optical characteristic change member is provided. The photodetection unit separates and detects the light that has undergone the change of the optical characteristics to independently measure bend quantities in specific directions of the different portions of the optical transmission bodies based on intensities of the detected light.

Abstract: An inserting state acquiring section is configured to acquire inserting state information of an inserting section that is to be inserted into an insertion subject, an insertion subject shape acquiring section is configured to acquire insertion subject shape information that is shape information of the insertion subject, and a positional relation calculating section is configured to be input the inserting state information and the insertion subject shape information and to calculate a positional relation of the inserting section to the insertion subject. When an output section outputs the calculation result of the positional relation calculating section, a control section is configured to control an output state of the calculation result in the output section.

Abstract: An inserting state acquiring section is configured to acquire inserting state information of an inserting section that is to be inserted into an insertion subject, and an insertion subject shape acquiring section is configured to acquire insertion subject shape information that is shape information of the insertion subject. A positional relation calculating section is configured to be input the inserting state information and the insertion subject shape information and to calculate a positional relation of the inserting section to the insertion subject, and an output section is configured to output the calculation result of the positional relation calculating section as display information.

Abstract: A relative position information acquiring section acquires relative position information, in relation to an insertion subject, of a portion of an inserting section which becomes a position detection object. An image acquisition position calculating section calculates an image acquisition position that is at least one of an image acquisition region, a part of the image acquisition region and a point in the image acquisition region, by use of the relative position and shape information of the insertion subject. A display calculating section sets a display format on the basis of weighting information of the image acquisition position calculated on the basis of a weighting index parameter. An output section outputs the display format and the image acquisition position.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes a light source, a characteristic light-guiding member, a characteristic changing part which changes the optical characteristic of light, and a detecting unit which detects the light having the optical characteristic changed by the characteristic changing part and guided by the characteristic light-guiding member. The optical sensor includes a control member which inhibits at least the twisting of the characteristic light-guiding member, and controls a bending state of the characteristic light-guiding member, and a positioning mechanism which positions the characteristic changing part with respect to at least a circumferential direction of the characteristic light-guiding member.

Abstract: An optical sensor has a light source, a characteristic light-guiding member, a characteristic changing part, a detecting unit, and an optical connecting unit. The optical connecting unit has a light branching unit configured to branch the light emitted from the light source to the characteristic light-guiding member, and branches the light guided by the characteristic light-guiding member to the detecting unit.