Abstract: An endoscope system is provided with an endoscope processor that processes an image signal output by an electronic endoscope, an endoscope controlling system connected to the endoscope processor to control operation of the endoscope processor or a device connected to the endoscope processor, an endoscope server that communicates with the endoscope controlling system through a first network, a service server that communicates with at least one of the endoscope processor and the device connected to the endoscope processor through a second network, and a surveillance circuit that surveys operation of the endoscope processor or the device connected to the endoscope processor, the endoscope controlling system transmits a surveying result to the endoscope server through the first network, and the endoscope server transmits the surveying result of the surveillance circuit to the service server through the second network.

Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope has an elongated tubular core body, and an outer cover which is provided over the core body. The outer cover is composed of an inner layer, an outer layer and at least one intermediate layer. In this flexible tube, any one of the layers is different from one of the other layers in its property. Further, at least one of the layers has a thickness-varying region where the thickness of the layer varies in its longitudinal direction. In addition, the inner layer of the outer cover has projections which are integrally formed on the inner layer so that the projections project into holes and/or the recesses formed on the core body. This structure makes it possible to produce a flexible tube for an endoscope that has high durability, high flexibility and high chemical resistance as well as excellent operationability.

Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope has an elongated tubular core body, and an outer cover which is provided over the core body. The outer cover is composed of an inner layer, an outer layer and at least one intermediate layer. In this flexible tube, any one of the layers is different from one of the other layers in its property. Further, at least one of the layers has a thickness-varying region where the thickness of the layer varies in its longitudinal direction. In addition, the inner layer of the outer cover has projections which are integrally formed on the inner layer so that the projections project into holes and/or the recesses formed on the core body. This structure makes it possible to produce a flexible tube for an endoscope that has high durability, high flexibility and high chemical resistance as well as excellent operationability.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope system is provided with an outputting device specifying tool and a database having tables. In the tables, compensation data, for compensating image signals generated by the system in accordance with outputting devices, are recorded. When the model of outputting device is specified by the specifying tool, the tables are searched using the name of the specified model of outputting device as a search key, so that compensation data for compensating the image signals in accordance with the characteristics of the connected outputting device can be obtained. The image signals are output to the connected outputting device, after being compensated based on the compensation data.

Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope which has excellent insertion operability is disclosed. The flexible tube includes and an elongated flexible tubular body constructed from a core body having a hollow space and an outer cover which is provided over the outer periphery of the core body and formed into a laminated structure having a plurality of layers. The tubular body is formed with a plurality of easily bendable portions which are provided in a spaced apart manner along the longitudinal direction thereof, each of these easily bendable portion being adapted to bend locally with a smaller curvature radius when the flexible tube is bent in one direction. The average interval between the adjacent easily bendable portions is preferably in the range 50-400 mm. The easily bendable portions is formed by locally changing the flexural rigidity of the outer cover.

Abstract: An endoscope system is provided with an endoscope processor that processes an image signal output by an electronic endoscope, an endoscope controlling system connected to the endoscope processor to control operation of the endoscope processor or a device connected to the endoscope processor, an endoscope server that communicates with the endoscope controlling system through a first network, a service server that communicates with at least one of the endoscope processor and the device connected to the endoscope processor through a second network, and a surveillance circuit that surveys operation of the endoscope processor or the device connected to the endoscope processor, the endoscope controlling system transmits a surveying result to the endoscope server through the first network, and the endoscope server transmits the surveying result of the surveillance circuit to the service server through the second network.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope system is provided with an outputting device specifying tool and a database having tables. In the tables, compensation data, for compensating image signals generated by the system in accordance with outputting devices, are recorded. When the model of outputting device is specified by the specifying tool, the tables are searched using the name of the specified model of outputting device as a search key, so that compensation data for compensating the image signals in accordance with the characteristics of the connected outputting device can be obtained. The image signals are output to the connected outputting device, after being compensated based on the compensation data.

Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope which has excellent insertion operability is disclosed. The flexible tube includes and an elongated flexible tubular body constructed from a core body having a hollow space and an outer cover which is provided over the outer periphery of the core body and formed into a laminated structure having a plurality of layers. The tubular body is formed with a plurality of easily bendable portions which are provided in a spaced apart manner along the longitudinal direction thereof, each of these easily bendable portion being adapted to bend locally with a smaller curvature radius when the flexible tube is bent in one direction. The average interval between the adjacent easily bendable portions is preferably in the range 50-400 mm. The easily bendable portions is formed by locally changing the flexural rigidity of the outer cover.

Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope has an elongated tubular core body, and an outer cover which is provided over the core body. The outer cover is composed of an inner layer, an outer layer and at least one intermediate layer. In this flexible tube, any one of the layers is different from one of the other layers in its property. Further, at least one of the layers has a thickness-varying region where the thickness of the layer varies in its longitudinal direction. In addition, the inner layer of the outer cover has projections which are integrally formed on the inner layer so that the projections project into holes and/or the recesses formed on the core body. This structure makes it possible to produce a flexible tube for an endoscope that has high durability, high flexibility and high chemical resistance as well as excellent operationability.