Abstract: For an enhanced coupling efficiency between a light source and an optical fiber bundle: the optical fiber bundle is made up by a dense bundle of optical fibers, with an integrated portion composed of fusion-integrated distal ends of the bundled optical fibers, and the integrated portion has, in a longitudinal sectional plane along a center axis of the optical fiber bundle, a lateral side thereof formed, in a shape of arc radially outwardly convex with respect to a straight line interconnecting an end point at a front end face side of the integrated portion and an end point at a rear end side thereof, to locate at a radially inner side with respect to an extension toward the integrated portion of a line constituting an outline of a portion else than the integrated portion of the optical fiber bundle.

Abstract: An endoscope system of the present invention includes: an image fiber with an image fiber main body made of a plurality of cores for forming pixels and a cladding common thereto; and an optical system connected to an eyepiece side of the image fiber for causing laser light to enter the image fiber and for taking in an image from the image fiber, in which the image fiber has the cores arranged substantially uniformly over a cross-section of the image fiber main body, the cross-section being perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the image fiber main body.

Abstract: For an enhanced coupling efficiency between a light source and an optical fiber bundle: the optical fiber bundle is made up by a dense bundle of optical fibers, with an integrated portion composed of fusion-integrated distal ends of the bundled optical fibers, and the integrated portion has, in a longitudinal sectional plane along a center axis of the optical fiber bundle, a lateral side thereof formed, in a shape of arc radially outwardly convex with respect to a straight line interconnecting an end point at a front end face side of the integrated portion and an end point at a rear end side thereof, to locate at a radially inner side with respect to an extension toward the integrated portion of a line constituting an outline of a portion else than the integrated portion of the optical fiber bundle.

Abstract: An image fiber includes an image fiber body having a twisted portion which is formed by heating, softening, and twisting a portion of the image fiber body. The rate of twist in the twisted portion is made to be constant. Moreover, the rate of twist may preferably be set in a range from 3.6°/mm to 3600°/mm. In addition, the rate of twist at the beginning portion of the twisted portion and the rate of twist at the end portion of the twisted portion may preferably be set in a range from 3.6°/mm to 360°/mm. The twisted portion may be provided with a protective element.

Abstract: An endoscope system of the present invention includes: an image fiber with an image fiber main body made of a plurality of cores for forming pixels and a cladding common thereto; and an optical system connected to an eyepiece side of the image fiber for causing laser light to enter the image fiber and for taking in an image from the image fiber, in which the image fiber has the cores arranged substantially uniformly over a cross-section of the image fiber main body, the cross-section being perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the image fiber main body.

Abstract: An image fiber includes an image fiber body having a twisted portion which is formed by heating, softening, and twisting a portion of the image fiber body. The rate of twist in the twisted portion is made to be constant. Moreover, the rate of twist may preferably be set in a range from 1°/mm to 4000°/mm. In addition, the rate of twist at the beginning portion of the twisted portion and the rate of twist at the end portion of the twisted portion may preferably be set in a range from 3°/mm to 400°/mm. The twisted portion may be provided with a protective element.

Abstract: An image fiber includes an image fiber body having a twisted portion which is formed by heating, softening, and twisting a portion of the image fiber body. The rate of twist in the twisted portion is made to be constant. Moreover, the rate of twist may preferably be set in a range from 3.6°/mm to 3600°/mm. In addition, the rate of twist at the beginning portion of the twisted portion and the rate of twist at the end portion of the twisted portion may preferably be set in a range from 3.6°/mm to 360°/mm. The twisted portion may be provided with a protective element.

Abstract: An image fiber includes an image fiber body having a twisted portion which is formed by heating, softening, and twisting a portion of the image fiber body. The rate of twist in the twisted portion is made to be constant. Moreover, the rate of twist may preferably be set in a range from 1°/mm to 4000°/mm. In addition, the rate of twist at the beginning portion of the twisted portion and the rate of twist at the end portion of the twisted portion may preferably be set in a range from 3°/mm to 400°/mm. The twisted portion may be provided with a protective element.

Abstract: An image fiber includes an image fiber body having a twisted portion which is formed by heating, softening, and twisting a portion of the image fiber body. The rate of twist in the twisted portion is made to be constant. Moreover, the rate of twist may preferably be set in a range from 1°/mm to 4000°/mm. In addition, the rate of twist at the beginning portion of the twisted portion and the rate of twist at the end portion of the twisted portion may preferably be set in a range from 3°/mm to 400°/mm.

Abstract: A medical laser treatment device comprises a handpiece having a handpiece body and a laser probe to be attached to the handpiece body, a laser light source, and a light transmission member which guides laser light to the handpiece. The laser probe has a fiber probe having an emission face through which the laser light is emitted to an irradiation region, an annular protection tube which covers the peripheral face of the fiber probe, and a holder which holds the fiber probe and the protection tube. The protection tube has a curved part extending with being curved. A first fiber curved part is formed in the fiber probe by passing the fiber probe through the protection tube. A second fiber curved part having a radius of curvature is smaller than that of the first fiber curved part is disposed in a tip end portion of a fiber probe.

Abstract: A compound of the formula ##STR1## is a novel immunosuppressant agent prepared by fermenting Steptomyces braeaensis subsp. pulcherrimus, ATCC 55150, or another compound of the formula I producing strain and extracting the compound of the formula I from the fermentation medium. The compound is useful in treating transplant rejection and autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: N-demethylefrotomycin, a valuable new antibiotic substance, is produced by the microbial conversion of mocimycin using a novel, efrotomycin-producing, microbial species ATCC 53758.