Abstract: A confocal scanner mounted on a microscope includes a linear light source configured to emit linear light, a linear detector including a linear detection unit detecting incident light for each line, and a moving mechanism configured to translationally move the linear light source and the linear detector with respect to the microscope. The linear light source and the linear detector are disposed so as to have a positional relationship in which the linear light source and the linear detector correspond to each other within an imaging surface at conjugate positions with respect to a focal plane of the microscope.

Abstract: An objective optical system (43) includes: a reflection surface (RS1) which reflects light traveling toward a sample (SP); a reflection surface (RS2) which reflects light reflected by the reflection surface (RS1) toward the sample (SP); and a transmission portion (TS) which is disposed on an optical path of light reflected by the reflection surface (RS2), which has a liquid contact surface coming into contact with liquid (WT) interposed between the liquid contact surface and the sample (SP), and of which the liquid contact surface is formed to be substantially orthogonal to the optical path of light reflected by the reflection surface (RS2).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an objective optical system and a photoacoustic imaging apparatus capable of obtaining a clearer image of a sample than before. The objective optical system (23) includes: a convex mirror (101) having a convex reflecting surface for reflecting pulsed light traveling toward a sample (SP); a concave mirror (102) having a concave reflecting surface for reflecting the light reflected by the convex mirror (101) and irradiating the sample (SP) with the light; and an ultrasonic detector (103) having at least one end portion provided on an object side of the convex mirror (101), and detecting an acoustic wave obtained by irradiating the sample (SP) with the light.

Abstract: An objective optical system (43) includes: a reflection surface (RS1) which reflects light traveling toward a sample (SP); a reflection surface (RS2) which reflects light reflected by the reflection surface (RS1) toward the sample (SP); and a transmission portion (TS) which is disposed on an optical path of light reflected by the reflection surface (RS2), which has a liquid contact surface coming into contact with liquid (WT) interposed between the liquid contact surface and the sample (SP), and of which the liquid contact surface is formed to be substantially orthogonal to the optical path of light reflected by the reflection surface (RS2).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an objective optical system and a photoacoustic imaging apparatus capable of obtaining a clearer image of a sample than before. The objective optical system (23) includes: a convex mirror (101) having a convex reflecting surface for reflecting pulsed light traveling toward a sample (SP); a concave mirror (102) having a concave reflecting surface for reflecting the light reflected by the convex mirror (101) and irradiating the sample (SP) with the light; and an ultrasonic detector (103) having at least one end portion provided on an object side of the convex mirror (101), and detecting an acoustic wave obtained by irradiating the sample (SP) with the light.

Abstract: A microscope system includes a camera for a microscope, which is mounted on a microscope and which captures observation images formed by the microscope. The microscope system includes an imaging element on which the observation images are incident through an imaging lens of the microscope, an imaging device configured to capture, using the imaging element, images of the observation images that differ in an optical distance from the imaging lens to the imaging element, and that differ in a focal plane of the microscope, and an image processor configured to restore phase information of the observation images using the images captured by the imaging device and enhances contrast of the observation images.

Abstract: A confocal scanner mounted on a microscope includes a linear light source configured to emit linear light, a linear detector including a linear detection unit detecting incident light for each line, and a moving mechanism configured to translationally move the linear light source and the linear detector with respect to the microscope. The linear light source and the linear detector are disposed so as to have a positional relationship in which the linear light source and the linear detector correspond to each other within an imaging surface at conjugate positions with respect to a focal plane of the microscope.

Abstract: The objective of the invention is to make it possible to provide a high-resolution photoacoustic imaging device at low cost. This photoacoustic wave detecting device includes: a beam splitter (111) which splits emitted light from a light source; an optical physical property shifting unit (120) which changes at least one physical property of the split lights in such a way that the split lights interfere with each other; a lens (140) into which each split lights enters parallel to the optical axis; and an acoustic detecting unit (150) which detects an acoustic wave generated in a region of an observation target at the focal point of the lens (140).

Abstract: A confocal scanner includes a first micro lens disk having a plurality of micro lenses arranged thereon, a second micro lens disk having a plurality of micro lenses, which is arranged in correspondence to an arrangement pattern of the first micro lens disk, and having a common rotation axis to the first micro lens disk, and a beam splitter configured to guide an illumination light, which is to be irradiated to an object, to the first micro lens disk, and to guide a return light from the object having passed through each micro lens of the first micro lens disk to the corresponding micro lens of the second micro lens disk. A numerical aperture of each micro lens arranged on the second micro lens disk is greater than a numerical aperture of each micro lens arranged on the first micro lens disk.

Abstract: A microscope apparatus includes a light source configured to emit a coherent illuminating light, an optical system configured to irradiate a specimen with the illumination light, and a detector configured to form an image based on a light generated from the specimen by the illumination light that irradiates the specimen. The optical system is configured to project a plurality of focal points of the illumination light on the specimen, and allow the plurality of focal points to interfere with each other while changing phases of the plurality of focal points.

Abstract: A confocal scanner includes a first micro lens disk having a plurality of micro lenses arranged thereon, a second micro lens disk having a plurality of micro lenses, which is arranged in correspondence to an arrangement pattern of the first micro lens disk, and having a common rotation axis to the first micro lens disk, and a beam splitter configured to guide an illumination light, which is to be irradiated to an object, to the first micro lens disk, and to guide a return light from the object having passed through each micro lens of the first micro lens disk to the corresponding micro lens of the second micro lens disk. A numerical aperture of each micro lens arranged on the second micro lens disk is greater than a numerical aperture of each micro lens arranged on the first micro lens disk.

Abstract: With a microscope device according to the invention, it is possible to acquire information on a deeper part of a living organism than that in the case of a conventional microscope device. The microscope device according to a first invention comprises an illumination optical system for irradiating an object with illumination rays in a line-like form, a detection optical system for receiving light rays generated by the illumination rays. The second invention relates to a microscope device wherein an objective lens of an illumination optical system, and an objective lens of a detection optical system are at respective positions. The third invention relates to a microscope device wherein a separation filter is structured such that a laser beam can pass through only a part (a region) thereof. The fourth invention relates to a microscope device wherein illumination rays having coherence are separated into two portions.

Abstract: A microscope device according to the present disclosure (the present microscope device) includes: a light source configured to oscillate coherent illuminating light, the illuminating light being applied on a specimen; a detecting unit configured to detect fluorescent light from the specimen as feedback light, the specimen being irradiated with the illuminating light; a phase distribution control unit disposed in an optical path of the illuminating light, the phase distribution control unit being configured to control phase distribution of the illuminating light; a controller configured to control the phase distribution control unit to vary the phase distribution; and an image generating unit configured to operate a difference of the feedback light between before and after the phase distribution varies, to generate an image of the specimen.

Abstract: A microscope apparatus includes a light source configured to emit a coherent illuminating light, an optical system configured to irradiate a specimen with the illumination light, and a detector configured to form an image based on a light generated from the specimen by the illumination light that irradiates the specimen. The optical system is configured to project a plurality of focal points of the illumination light on the specimen, and allow the plurality of focal points to interfere with each other while changing phases of the plurality of focal points.

Abstract: With a microscope device according to the invention, it is possible to acquire information on a deeper part of a living organism than that in the case of a conventional microscope device. The microscope device according to a first invention comprises an illumination optical system for irradiating an object with illumination rays in a line-like form, a detection optical system for receiving light rays generated by the illumination rays. The second invention relates to a microscope device wherein an objective lens of an illumination optical system, and an objective lens of a detection optical system are at respective positions. The third invention relates to a microscope device wherein a separation filter is structured such that a laser beam can pass through only a part (a region) thereof. The fourth invention relates to a microscope device wherein illumination rays having coherence are separated into two portions.

Abstract: An identification circuit (131) recognizes optical probes (112A, 112B) of different scanning types that are connected to a light source unit (113) and a control device (114), the frequency of the drive signal of a control circuit (130) for driving a scanner inside the optical probe is varied by this recognition signal, corresponding drive signals are applied to the optical probes connected, the scanner of each probe is scanned, and two-dimensional optical information is imaged by an imaging device (115) and displayed on a monitor (116).

Abstract: A surgical instrument can be disinfected or sterilized, and has a rechargeable secondary battery incorporated therein. A distal treatment section of the surgical instrument is ultrasonically oscillated using the secondary battery as a driving power source and used to perform surgery on a living tissue. Electromagnetic energy generated by an energy generation unit located outside the surgical instrument is received by a reception coil incorporated in the surgical instrument with the surgical instrument held in noncontact with the energy generation unit. The electromagnetic energy is then converted into charging power with which the secondary battery is recharged. Thus, the surgical instrument can be readily recharged while left clean.

Abstract: A surgical instrument can be disinfected or sterilized, and has a rechargeable secondary battery incorporated therein. A distal treatment section of the surgical instrument is ultrasonically oscillated or otherwise activated using the secondary battery as a driving power source to perform surgery on a living tissue. Electromagnetic energy generated by an energy generation unit located outside the surgical instrument is received by a reception coil incorporated in the surgical instrument with the surgical instrument by induction from the energy generation unit. The electromagnetic energy is then converted into charging power with which the secondary battery is recharged. Thus, the surgical instrument can be readily recharged without compromising sterility.

Abstract: A light scanning optical device comprises a light source for entirely illuminating a subject, a converging optical system for converging light returning from a specific minute region of the subject, a light detector for detecting the light converged by the converging optical system, and a scanning mirror for scanning the minute region, the scanning mirror being produced by a semiconductor manufacturing process.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus capable of preventing occurrence of problems trouble attributable to exhaustion of a battery has an endoscope and a battery-powered light source. The endoscope has a light guide fiber bundle over which illumination light is propagated. The battery-powered light source is freely detachably attached to the endoscope, and includes an illumination lamp and a battery. The illumination lamp supplies illumination light to the incidence end of the light guide fiber bundle on which illumination light falls. The battery serves as a power supply causing the illumination lamp to light. At least one of the endoscope and battery-powered light source has an indication unit for notifying a user of the amount of electrical energy contained in the battery.