Abstract: An endoscope is disclosed which includes a lens unit having a lens frame and lens frame cover and plurality of lenses attached to the lens frame, and image sensor unit located behind the lens frame.

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, 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, 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: 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.

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, the open end of a suction valve cylinder, arranged within a control section of the endoscope, is closed by a stop. A cap is mounted on the distal end of an insertion section so that liquid may flow between a nozzle and a suction opening which are arranged at the distal end of the insertion section. The nozzle communicates with an air supply channel and a liquid supply channel, and the suction opening communicates with a suction channel. A stop is mounted on the open end of an air/liquid supply valve cylinder arranged in the control section, and a syringe is connected to the stop. The piston of the syringe is pushed, thus supplying liquid in the cylinder of the syringe into the cylinder and discharging the liquid from the other ends of the three channels through the channels and the valve cylinders, thereby cleaning the interiors of these channels and valve cylinders with the liquid.