Abstract: In a rigid tip of an elongated insertable part, by an objective optical system of an optical axis parallel with the lengthwise axial direction of the tip, an image of an object to be imaged is to be formed in an image area of a solid state imaging device chip arranged so as to be parallel with the lengthwise axial direction through an optical device deflecting the optical axis of this objective optical system in a direction at right angles. Solid state imaging device chip bonding pads are provided only on the front end side and/or rear end side of this solid state imaging device chip.

Abstract: An electronic image pickup device for endoscopes is arranged so that at least two filters having mutually different transmitting wavelength ranges are inserted either alternatively or as a rotatable filter disc into an optical path of either an illuminating system or an image pickup system in order to make it possible to obtain either alternatingly or simultaneously color images produced by at least two kinds of rays having mutually different wavelength ranges. As an alternative the filter disc may be tilted relative to the optical axis.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for use in an electronic endoscope or the like is provided with a mechanically driven light-shielding plate, wherein imaging is effected by using a solid-state imaging device starting from a time when an amount of light shielded by this light-shielding plate becomes minimal, or imaging is effected repeatedly during a short exposure time within a transient period during which the amount of light shielded becomes minimal, and when an signal level of each image reaches a reference level, that signal is stored in a memory.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope, equipped with an imaging apparatus having side bonding pads, is provided with a flexible insertable part which is formed to be small in diameter. Within a tip of the insertable part, a solid state imaging device is formed and a solid state imaging chip is provided with chip side bonding pads. The solid state imaging chip is secured to a base provided with base side bonding pads in groups. The chip side bonding pads and base side bonding pads are connected respectively with each other through bonding wires. The chip side bonding pads are provided on one side of the image area in a plurality of rows.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion section inserted into the patient's body. A distal end member is provided at the distal end of the insertion section. An illuminating system for illuminating a desired portion is attached to the end member. An observation unit is detachably attached to the distal end member. This unit includes a cylindrical support ditachably fitted to the end member. In the support are disposed an objective lens system for imaging an optical image of the portion illuminated by the illuminating system, a solid-state image sensor for converting the image to an electric signal, and electronic components connected to the sensor.

Abstract: An endoscope according to the present invention comprises an observation optical system and an insertion section which includes a bending tube. A plurality of segments, which are rockably connected to one another, are arranged in the bending tube, and wire guides are fixed to the inner peripheral surface of each segment. One end of each of bending-control wires is fixed to the segment at the distal end portion of the bending tube. The other end of each wire extends to the proximal end portion of the insertion section, through the wire guides of the other segments. In this arrangement, the bending tube is bent by pulling the other ends of the bending-control wires. The endoscope further includes bending means arranged in the bending tube and adapted to bend, when the bending-control wire is pulled, the bending tube for moving the observation optical system such that the center of the system moves from the center of the insertion section to the periphery thereof.

Abstract: An endoscope according to the present invention comprises an insertion section which as a distal structure. An objective optical system is disposed in the distal structure so as to be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof. A solid-state image sensing device, which has a light receiving surface with an image area therein, is disposed in the distal structure, so as to be substantially parallel to a plane which contains the longitudinal axis of the distal structure. An optical element is attached to an end portion of the objective optical system, whereby the optical path of a light incident on the objective optical system is bent substantially at right angles, so that the light is guided to the light receiving surface of the image sensing device. The endoscope further comprises a forceps channel having one end attached to the distal structure.

Abstract: A solid state imaging device and a substrate to which this solid state imaging device is fitted is contained in the tip part of an endoscope. Conductive parts are formed on at least one side surface of the substrate. The positions of the conductive parts, when that the conductive parts are overlapped with the solid state imaging device, are retreated to be within the electrode positions of the solid state imaging device so that the imaging device may be contained in a small space.

Abstract: An endoscope of this invention includes a solid-state image sensor in a hard distal end portion of an insertion section thereof. A body cavity can be observed by utilizing the solid-state image sensor and an image reproduction apparatus. An objective optical system consisting of a plurality of objective lenses is arranged inside the distal end portion of the insertion section of the endoscope. One side surface of an optical element is in contact with the proximal end face of the objective optical system. The direction of the optical path of light reflected by the observed portion and incident on the optical element is changed into a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical element. A solid-state image sensor for converting light into an electrical signal is mounted on the other side surface of the optical element. A circuit board bent to surround the optical element includes an electrical circuit connected to the solid-state image sensor.

Abstract: An endoscopic apparatus includes an endoscope body and a drive unit for driving the endoscope body. The endoscope body has a connector which is connected to a socket of the drive unit. The socket is provided with an electrical socket unit, an optical socket unit and a fluid socket unit which have central axes parallel to one another, respectively. The electrical socket unit is supported by support members to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the unit. The connector has an electrical connector unit, an optical connector unit and a fluid connector unit which are adapted to be connected to the corresponding socket units. When the connector is connected to the socket, the electrical socket unit is guided by a guide mechanism to a position wherein it is located coaxial with the electrical connector unit.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes an endoscope and a drive device connected to the endoscope and having a light source. In the distal-end surface of the insertion section of the endoscope, an observation window and an illumination window are provided. A solid-state image sensor is arranged in the distal-end portion of the insertion section to face the observation window. The sensor receives an optical image passing through the observation window, converts the image into electrical signals and transfers the signals in both vertical and horizontal directions. The sensor is so arranged that the vertical transferring direction defines an angle of about 50.degree. to 90.degree. with a line extending between the centers of the observation and illumination windows.

Abstract: A biopsy information recording apparatus is disclosed which comprises a memory for storing, as a still picture frame, image information from an endoscopic image sensor provided in an endoscope, an input unit for providing information of a position at which biopsy material is extracted by forceps inserted into the forceps channel of the endoscope, and a counter for counting the number of biopsy extractions to provide information of the sampled order of the extracted biopsy material, the sampled order information being stored in a frame memory together with image information at a memory position corresponding to the position information.

Abstract: An endoscope has an insertion section extended from an operation section. An observation window and an illumination window are formed in the distal end of the insertion section. The observation window is positioned nearer the distal end of the insertion section than the illumination window. A light guide extends from the illumination window through the insertion section and guides light emitted from a light source to emit the light from the illumination window. An objective lens system is arranged in the insertion section and optically connected to the observation window. An optical image of light, incident on the system through the observation window, is formed by the system. A solid-state image sensor is arranged in the insertion section and positioned nearer the distal end of the insertion section than the end of the light guide at the illumination window side. The sensor converts the optical image to an electrical signal and transmits it to a control unit.

Abstract: In a method of cleaning an endoscope, the open ends of an air/liquid supply valve cylinder, a suction valve cylinder, and a gas supply valve cylinder which are arranged in a control section of the endoscope are closed by stops. An air supply channel, a liquid supply channel, a suction channel, and a gas supply channel of the endoscope open at one end to a connector mounted on the distal end of the light guide cable of the endoscope. The connector is submerged in the liquid held in a tank. A cap is mounted on the distal end of the insertion section so that a nozzle communicating with the channels and a suction opening communicating with the suction channel open to the interior of the cap. The cap is connected to a suction pump by a suction tube. The pump is operated, thus sucking the liquid from the nozzle and suction opening through the four channels and the three cylinders, thereby cleaning the interiors of these channels and cylinders.

Abstract: In a method of cleaning an endoscope, the open ends of an air/liquid supply valve cylinder and a suction valve cylinder, both provided within a control section of the endoscope, are closed by stops. The ends of an air supply channel, a liquid supply channel and a suction channel, which open to a connector mounted on the distal end of a light guide cable, are connected to a connecting tube so that liquid may flow between these ends. The other end of the suction channel opening to the distal end of an insertion section is connected to a liquid tank filled with liquid through a liquid supply tube. The tank is connected to an air pump through an air supply tube. When the pump is operated, the liquid is supplied from the other end of the suction channel and discharged from a nozzle through the three channels, valve cylinders and the connecting tube, thereby cleaning the interiors of these channels and valve cylinders with the liquid.

Abstract: In a method of cleaning an endoscope, a stop is mounted on the open end of an air/liquid supply valve cylinder thereby closing the open end. A liquid tank is connected through a liquid supply tube to a first air supply port which opens to a connector of the endoscope and communicates with one end of an air supply channel. A connecting cap is attached to the connector so that a second air supply port communicating the air supply channel and a liquid supply port communicating with a liquid supply channel communicate with each other. An air supply pump is connected to the liquid tank. The pump is operated under this condition and supplies the liquid in the liquid tank to the first air supply port. The liquid supplied to the first air supply port is discharged from a nozzle communicating with the other ends of the air and liquid supply channels through these channels and the air/liquid supply valve cylinder, thereby cleaning the interior of these channels and the cylinder.

Abstract: A suction device comprises a suction changeover valve provided to a control section of an endoscope and including a cylinder with an opening at one end and a closed wall at the other end, and a piston held in the cylinder in a state movable therethrough and removable through the opening of the cylinder, a first suction tube section formed in the insertion section in a state communicable with the cylinder through the closed wall; and a second tube section formed in a cord of the endoscope in a state communicable with the cylinder through the closed wall. An urging member is projectively provided to the control section, shaped like a cup to cover the opening of the cylinder, and engaged with one end of the piston to elastically hold the piston in the first position.

Abstract: An illuminating system for endoscopes comprising a light guide formed to be a flat surface or curved surface at the exit end and a concave lens or convex lens arranged in front of the exit end and made to be a totally reflecting surface on the peripheral surface so that all the illuminating light emitted out of the exit end of the light guide can be effectively utilized and the visual field of an observing system can be uniformly illuminated over a very wide range. A convex mirror or concave mirror is placed between the exit end of the light guide and a concave lens used also as a cover glass so as to adapt the illuminating system to a side view or perspective view type endoscope.

Abstract: In a method of cleaning the channels of an endoscope, one end of a suction channel and a nozzle, both positioned at the distal end of an insertion section of the endoscope, are connected. The open ends of an air/liquid supply cylinder and a suction valve cylinder, both provided within a control section of the endoscope, are closed. The ends of an air supply channel and a liquid supply channel, which open to a connector mounted on the distal end of a light guide cable, are connected to a liquid supply tube which is in contact with liquid. The other end of the suction channel, which opens to the connector, is connected to a suction pump by a suction tube. The pump is operated and sucks the liquid from the other end of the suction channel through the air supply channel, liquid supply channel, suction channel and valve cylinders, thereby cleaning the interior of the channels and valve cylinders with the liquid.

Abstract: In a method of cleaning an endoscope, a stop having a communication path is mounted on the open ends of an air/liquid supply valve cylinder and a suction valve cylinder of the endoscope so that liquid may flow between the valve cylinders through the communication path. One end of a suction channel, which opens to the distal end of an insertion section of the endoscope, is connected to a liquid tank through a liquid supply tube. An air supply pump is connected to the tank. The pump is operated in this state and supplies the liquid held in the tank to the one end of the suction channel. The liquid supplied to the one end of the suction channel is discharged from a nozzle at the distal end of the insertion section and the other ends of the suction channel, an air supply channel and a liquid supply channel, which open to a connector mounted on a light guide of the endoscope, through the three channels and the valve cylinders, thereby cleaning the interior of these channels and valve cylinders.