Abstract: An object is to reduce the burden on pathologists and to improve the efficiency of pathologist's diagnoses.

Abstract: The present invention is a virtual-slide specimen image acquisition apparatus that captures images by dividing a specimen into a plurality of sections, having a conveying device in which a plurality of specimens can be arranged and that conveys the plurality of the arranged specimens in a first direction by a distance corresponding to the length of a side along the first direction in one of the divided sections and at first time intervals and an image capturing device that has an image capturing portion for capturing images of the specimens magnified at a predetermined magnification and that scans the specimens conveyed to a predetermined position in a second direction, by a predetermined length at second time intervals, such that the image capturing portion captures images of all of the sections that are positioned identically in the first direction and that are positioned differently in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: The object is to enable a pathologist to appropriately conduct a diagnosis as well as enabling the pathologist to quickly proceed with the pathologic diagnosis.

Abstract: The present invention is a virtual-slide specimen image acquisition apparatus that captures images by dividing a specimen into a plurality of sections, having a conveying device in which a plurality of specimens can be arranged and that conveys the plurality of the arranged specimens in a first direction by a distance corresponding to the length of a side along the first direction in one of the divided sections and at first time intervals and an image capturing device that has an image capturing portion for capturing images of the specimens magnified at a predetermined magnification and that scans the specimens conveyed to a predetermined position in a second direction, by a predetermined length at second time intervals, such that the image capturing portion captures images of all of the sections that are positioned identically in the first direction and that are positioned differently in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A stereoscopic endoscope including an objective lens system for forming an image of an object which objective lens system is arranged at the front end of an inserting section and has a single optical axis; an image transmission device coaxially arranged with the objective lens system and adapted to transmit the image formed by the objective lens system; a pupil dividing device for dividing the image transmitted through the objective lens system and the image transmission device so as to obtain left and right images of the object; an image sensing device for picking up the left and right images obtained by the pupil dividing device; a first support structure containing at least the objective lens system; and a second support structure containing at least the pupil dividing device and the image sensing device, wherein the first and second support structures are rotatable relative to each other around an axis extending along the longitudinal dimension of the endoscope.

Abstract: A stereoscopic endoscope including an objective lens system for forming an image of an object which objective lens system is arranged at the front end of an inserting section and has a single optical axis; an image transmission device coaxially arranged with the objective lens system and adapted to transmit the image formed by the objective lens system; a pupil dividing device for dividing the image transmitted through the objective lens system and the image transmission device so as to obtain left and right images of the object; an image sensing device for picking up the left and right images obtained by the pupil dividing device; a first support structure containing-at least the objective lens system; and a second support structure containing at least the pupil dividing device and the image sensing device, wherein the first and second support structures are rotatable relative to each other around an axis extending along the longitudinal dimension of the endoscope.

Abstract: A three-dimensional vision endoscopic apparatus according to the present invention comprises a pair of optical systems for transmitting an image of a subject as two subject images having a parallax between them, a pair of imaging devices for picking up subject images transmitted by the optical systems, at least one visual field mask, a display unit for displaying the two subject images alternately or concurrently, an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the position of one or both of the imaging devices so that the display images will become consistent on the screen of the display unit, and an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the relative position of the visual field mask.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising, in order from the object side, an objective optical system and image relaying optical systems disposed in a number of n, and using, in a (n-1)th or nth image relaying optical system, an optical system for producing positive distortion so as to cancel negative distortion produced by the objective optical system, thereby correcting distortion favorably in the endoscope as a whole.

Abstract: An optical system for an endoscope has, in order from its object side, an objective lens system having a first lens unit with a negative refractive power, a second lens unit with a positive refractive power and an aspherical surface therein, and relay lens systems arranged on the image side of the objective lens system. The optical system for an endoscope can correct aberrations, assure uniform brightness over the entire range of an image from its center to its peripheral areas, and permits reducing the diameter of the cover glass plate used therein.

Abstract: An objective lens system for endoscopes comprising, in the order from the object side, a first lens unit having negative refractive power and a second lens unit having positive refractive power, said first lens unit comprising a surface which is concave on the image side and satisfies the following condition (1), and an aspherical surface which is arranged on the object side and satisfies the following condition (2) at 50% or more of the effective area thereof.

Abstract: An optical system for endoscopes is provided with an inhomogeneous lens configured, as a relay lens, so that refractive index reduces progressively in going from a center portion toward a periphery and at least one of an entrance end face and an exit end face satisfies the following condition:0.15 P<C<0.35 Pwhere P is the pitch of the inhomogeneous lens and C is distance from the entrance end face or the exit end face of the inhomogeneous lens to the imaging position closest to the end face in the lens. The optical system for endoscopes is low in manufacturing cost and allows a favorable image of an object to be observed in a clear field of view without being adversely affected by dirt and burr.

Abstract: A compact objective lens system for endoscopes designed for a field angle smaller than 40.degree., having favorable corrected aberrations and comprising a plural number of lens components, the first lens component arranged on the extreme object side out of said plural number of lens components having positive refractive power.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus for inspecting an object including an insertion section insertable into the object and having a distal end and a proximal end, an image guide arranged within the insertion section and having entrance and exit ends arranged at the distal and proximal ends of insertion section, respectively, an objective lens system arranged at the distal end of insertion section for forming an optical image of the object onto the entrance end of image guide, an eyepiece lens system arranged at the proximal end of insertion section for projecting the optical image transmitted through the image guide onto an observating position, a first piezo-electric bimorph arranged at the distal end of insertion section for vibrating the entrance end of image guide in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the insertion section over a given distance, a second piezo-electric element arranged at the proximal end of insertion section for vibrating the exit end of image guide in the same direction and over the

Abstract: An endoscope provided with a stop comprising an annular electrochromic element arranged in an objective lens unit so that the transmittance of the stop is varied in accordance with the amount of light from an object to be observed which has been measured, in order to prevent brightness in a field of view from being rapidly changed when the distance from the distal end portion of the endoscope to the object to be observed is varied.

Abstract: In order to enable an endoscope to be made at a low cost and to provide the endoscope capable of effecting uniform illumination up to the peripheral regions of even a wide visual field without loss of the amount of light, the attachment for endoscopes is removably mountable to the forward end of the endoscope and comprised of an observation optical system and a light-guide member having a light-incidence end surface facing the illumination optical system of the endoscope for receiving a light coming therefrom and a light-emitting end surface having a shape different from that of the light-incidence end surface for emitting the above-mentioned light toward an object under observation.