Abstract: First switches include first electrodes, which are mutually connected with each other via a first internal bus bar, and second electrodes, which are mutually connected with each other via a second internal bus bar. A first resin member encapsulates the first switches and the first and second internal bus bars. Second switches include third electrodes, which are mutually connected with each other via a third internal bus bar, and fourth electrodes, which are mutually connected with each other via a fourth internal bus bar. A second resin member that encapsulates the second switches and the third and fourth internal bus bars. The second module is arranged alongside with the first module. The second internal bus bar and the third internal bus bar are partially exposed from the first resin member and the second resin member, respectively, and are directly joined with each other.

Abstract: A first module includes a first switch having a first electrode and a second electrode; a second switch having a third electrode and a fourth electrode; a second internal bus bar connecting the second electrode with the third electrode; and a first resin member encapsulating those components. A second module with includes a third switch having a fifth electrode and a sixth electrode; a fourth switch having a seventh electrode and an eighth electrode; a fifth internal bus bar connecting the sixth electrode with the seventh electrode; and a second resin member encapsulating those components. At least one of a first terminal of the second internal bus bar exposed from the first resin member and a second terminal of the fifth internal bus bar exposed from the second resin member extends toward the other and are directly joined with each other.

Abstract: A channel unit for an endoscope includes a conduit, a mounting member and a connection member having one end connected to the mounting member and another end connected to a distal end of the conduit, the connection member having flexibility and a variable length in a longitudinal direction, and a proximal end side fixing portion of the connection member is movable back and forth in the longitudinal direction with respect to a distal end side fixing portion of the connection member as the conduit moves back and forth in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A channel unit for an endoscope includes a conduit, a mounting member and a connection member having one end connected to the mounting member and another end connected to a distal end of the conduit, the connection member having flexibility and a variable length in a longitudinal direction, and a proximal end side fixing portion of the connection member is movable back and forth in the longitudinal direction with respect to a distal end side fixing portion of the connection member as the conduit moves back and forth in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A medical simulator has a human body model that simulates a human-body external shape at least from a head to a neck, an oral cavity portion, a nasal cavity portion, a pharynx portion, a larynx portion, a trachea portion, and an esophagus portion, thereby enabling at least training of an intubation procedure to be done. The medical simulator includes: a neck supporting portion that serves as a framework of the neck of the human body model and is provided so as to extend to the head; and a simulated thyroid cartilage portion that is connected by a first spring member to the neck supporting portion and is disposed in the larynx portion of the human body model.

Abstract: Capsule-shaped polymer particles and a process for the production thereof are described. In one embodiment of the process, a polymerizable monomer component containing a cross-linkable monomer and a hydrophilic monomer, and an oily substance are finely dispersed in water to prepare an oil-in-water emulsion and then the polymerizable monomer component is polymerized, whereupon capsule-shaped polymer particles containing the oily substance as a core material are obtained. Upon removal of the oily substance in the particles, there are obtained capsule-shaped hollow polymer particles. These capsule-shaped polymer particles are excellent in such properties as mechanical strength and heat resistance, and thus can find many applications.

Abstract: Capsule-shaped polymer particles and a process for the production thereof are described. In one embodiment of the process, a polymerizable monomer component containing a cross-linkable monomer and a hydrophilic monomer, and an oily substance are finely dispersed in water to prepare an oil-in-water emulsion and then the polymerizable monomer component is polymerized, whereupon capsule-shaped polymer particles containing the oily substance as a core material are obtained. Upon removal of the oily substance in the particles, there are obtained capsule-shaped hollow polymer particles. These capsule-shaped polymer particle are excellent in such properties as mechanical strength and heat resistance, and thus can find many applications.

Abstract: A process for preparing large-sized polymer particles having a particle diameter in a range of 0.1 to 500 .mu.m by seeded polymerization is described, comprising:finely dispersing a polymerizable monomer in an aqueous medium to prepare a monomer dispersion in which a number average particle diameter of the resulting monomer droplets is not larger than that of seed particles, and a number average particle diameter in a semi-stable condition (Dm) of the monomer droplets satisfies, with a desired number average particle diameter of the final polymer particle as D, the following relation:0.5.times.D<Dm<3.5.times.Dcombining said monomer dispersion with a dispersion of seed particles to make the polymerizable monomer absorbed or adsorbed on the seed particles; andpolymerizing the polymerizable monomer in the presence of a polymerization initiator.