Abstract: A distal end part of an endoscope having a viewing window for introducing light from an object into an objective optical system for forming an observed image. An illuminating window is disposed in a side by a side relationship with the viewing window for illuminating a visual field of the objective optical system. A continuous transparent cover covers the surfaces of both the illuminating and viewing windows. A window glass is attached to the viewing window in such a manner that a virtual image of the outer edge portion of the window glass, which is produced by single reflection from the inner side of the outer surface of the transparent cover, lies outside the visual filed of the objective optical system.

Abstract: A cover device which is removably fitted over an endoscope to cover an insert part of the endoscope and a control part connected to the proximal end of the insert part. The cover device includes a tubular sheath for covering the insert part so as to isolate it form the outside, and a control part cover for wrapping the control part. The control part cover is separate from the sheath and spreadably provided in contiguity with the proximal end of the sheath. In addition, a fluid supply tube is disposed such that one end portion of the tube extends through the sheath to communicate with the distal end of the sheath. The other end portion of the tube extends from the proximal end of the sheath along the outside of the control part cover.

Abstract: An endoscope stand for supporting an endoscope having a control part where the proximal end portion of a light guide cable includes a light guide connector attached to the distal end thereof and the proximal end portion of an insert tube being connected to each other. The endoscope stand comprises a control part support member for supporting the control part of the endoscope substantially horizontally, an insert tube supporting member which is disposed substantially horizontally to place the insert tube of the endoscope thereon, cover sheets which are impermeable to water. The cover sheets are removably placed on the control part supporting member and the insert tube supporting member, respectively. A light guide connector supporting member supports the light guide connector so that the light guide cable will not touch any of the surroundings.

Abstract: A sheathed endoscope has a flexible elongate insert part and a sheath that is removably fitted over the insert part. The sheathed endoscope comprises a distal end part that is provided at the distal end of the insert part, a distal end cover that is provided at the distal end of the sheath and that is removably fitted over the distal end part, and a lock device that is provided on the distal end cover so as to be engageable with the distal end part. The lock device is disengaged from the distal end part by deforming the distal end cover so that the lock device moves radially outward. A sheath for a sheathed endoscope is provided and is removably fitted over a flexible elongate insert part of the endoscope.

Abstract: A sheathed endoscope has a flexible elongate insert part and a sheath that is removably fitted over the insert part. The sheathed endoscope comprises a distal end part that is provided at the distal end of the insert part, a distal end cover that is provided at the distal end of the sheath and that is removably fitted over the distal end part, and a lock device that is provided on the distal end cover so as to be engageable with the distal end part. The lock device is disengaged from the distal end part by deforming the distal end cover so that the lock device moves radially outward. A sheath for a sheathed endoscope is provided and is removably fitted over a flexible elongate insert part of the endoscope.

Abstract: A medical suction tube which is opened at the distal end thereof and connected at the proximal end thereof to a suction means. A linear cut is made in the intermediate portion of the tube so as to extend obliquely from the proximal end side toward the distal end side of the tube so that, when the tube is bent, the cut is opened and ambient air is sucked into the tube through the cut, whereas, when the tube is straightened, the cut is closed and suction is performed through the distal end opening. A suction control apparatus for an endoscope utilizes the above-described medical suction tube.

Abstract: A method of securing a skin tube to a bendable tube portion that is formed at the distal end of the insert part of an endoscope, the bendable tube portion being bendable by remote control. The method comprises the steps of: fitting a flexible skin tube over the bendable tube portion; fitting a fitting member into the groove at at least one end portion of the skin tube, the fitting member having a shape which is fittable to the groove; loosely fitting a securing device around the end portion of the skin tube, the securing device being formed from a shape memory material which has previously memorized a shape with which the securing device is capable of peripherally pressing the end portion of the skin tube and, at the same time, pressing the fitting member against the surface of the groove; and restoring the securing device to the memorized shape.

Abstract: A device for securing a skin tube to a bendable tube portion that is formed at the distal end of the insert part of an endoscope, the bendable tube portion being bendable by remote control. The method of securing a skin tube to a bendable tube portion comprises the steps of: fitting a flexible skin tube over the bendable tube portion; fitting a fitting member into the groove at at least one end portion of the skin tube, the fitting member having a shape which is fittable to the groove; loosely fitting a securing device around the end portion of the skin tube, the securing device being formed from a shape memory material which has previously memorized a shape with which the securing device is capable of peripherally pressing the end portion of the skin tube and, at the same time, pressing the fitting member against the surface of the groove; and restoring the securing device to the memorized shape.

Abstract: A sheath device for an endoscope comprises a sheath which is inflatable with a gas that is pumped into the inside of the sheath to allow an insert tube of the endoscoope to be covered. A sheath cover, formed in the shape of a tube, surrounds the sheath with a space left therebetween to control overinflation of the sheath. A portion of the sheath cover, that surrounds the distal end portion of the sheath, is tapered toward to the distal end of the sheath cover. A gas supply passage is provided for supplying a gas into the sheath to inflate it, and a gas pressure control device is provided with a bleeder with communicates with the gas supply passage and opens upwardly to the atmosphere. A ball valve is placed on the bleeder from the upper side thereof to close the bleeder.

Abstract: An elongated flexible tube that constitutes an insert part of an endoscope. The flexible tube comprises: a spiral tube made of a precipitation hardening metal and having a groove which is recessed inwardly from the outer surface of the tube, the groove extending in a straight line along the axis of the tube, the spiral tube being subjected to age hardening process after a solid solution treatment; a braided-wire tube formed by weaving fine metal wires into a braid, the braided-wire tube being closely fitted over the outer surface of the spiral tube; and a flexible skin closely and watertightly fitted over the outer surface of the braided-wire tube.

Abstract: A medical suction tube which is opened at the distal end thereof and connected at the proximal end thereof to a suction means. A linear cut is made in the intermediate portion of the tube so as to extend obliquely from the proximal end side toward the distal end side of the tube so that, when the tube is bent, the cut is opened and ambient air is sucked into the tube through the cut, whereas, when the tube is straightened, the cut is closed and suction is performed through the distal end opening. A suction control apparatus for an endoscope that utilizes the above-described medical suction tube.

Abstract: A sheathed endoscope having a flexible insert tube in the form of an elongated cylinder and a distal end portion with a viewing window which is coupled to the distal end of the insert tube. The endoscope includes: a flexible guide tube inserted in the insert tube so as to extend over the entire length of the insert tube with, one end of the guide tube opening to the outside at the distal end portion and the other end of the guide tube opening to the outside at the proximal end of the insert tube. A sheath which is transparent at least partially thereof which is positioned over the surface of the viewing window and the sheath is removably fitted over the insert tube to isolate the insert tube from the external environment.

Abstract: A mold for forming a groove in a tube includes a split round bar having a groove extending in a substantially straight line along an axis thereof. The two halves of the split round bar are in contact with each other only at a pint at the bottom of the groove, so that the two halves may pivot with respect to each other about the contact point. A spacer bar is removably clamped between opposed inner surfaces of the two halves of the split round bar. When the spacer is removed, the groove in the round bar is slightly enlarged to provide clearance between the tube and each side wall of the groove to enable the round bar to be easily removed from the tube.

Abstract: An air and water supply apparatus for an endoscope having an elongated insert part and a control part connected to the proximal end of the insert part, comprising a cylinder provided in the control part, a pair of first air and water tubes for supplying air and water, respectively, into the cylinder, a pair of second air and water tubes for sending air and water, respectively, to the distal end of the insert part from the cylinder, a water supply switching valve slidably fitted in the cylinder to change the condition of communication between the first and second water tubes, and an air supply switching valve slidably fitted in the water supply switching valve to change the condition of communication between the first and second air tubes, whereby the first air tube and the second water tube are communicated with each other by pushing both the water and air supply switching valves into the cylinder or by pulling the air supply switching valve in the direction in which it is drawn out of the cylinder.

Abstract: A brake for a bending control device of an endoscope comprising a driving device rotatably provided in a control part for pulling a control wire, a rotary shaft rotating together with the driving device, a fixed shaft fixed in the control part in concentrical relation to the rotary shaft, a friction member accommodating chamber defined in an annular shape between the fixed and rotary shafts, and a resilient friction member loaded within the friction member accommodating chamber in a compressed state. When the control wire is pulled by rotating the driving device, the rotary shaft rotates together with the driving device. As a result, friction resistance occurs between the friction member loaded in the friction member accommodating chamber on the one hand and the rotary and fixed shafts on the other, thus applying the brakes to the driving device.

Abstract: A bending control device of an endoscope for bending a bendable portion, formed at the distal end of the insert part of the endoscope, by manual operation of a control part connected to the proximal end of the insert part is provided. The bending control device has an up and down bending control knob rotatably and detachably provided on the control part to control bending of the bendable portion in upward and downward directions. A right and left bending control knob is rotatably and detachably provided on the control part, in coaxially superposed relation to the up and down bending control knob, to control bending of the bendable portion in the rightward and leftward directions. An attaching and removing device is also provided for manually attaching and removing the two bending control knobs to and from the control part. Thus, the bending control knobs can be removed from the control part as desired for washing and disinfection or replacement with new bending control knobs.

Abstract: An elongated flexible tube that constitutes an insert part of an endoscope. The flexible tube comprises: a spiral tube made of a precipitation hardening metal and having a groove which is recessed inwardly from the outer surface of the tube, the groove extending in a straight line along the axis of the tube, the spiral tube being subjected to age hardening process after a solid solution treatment; a braided-wire tube formed by weaving fine metal wires into a braid, the braided-wire tube being closely fitted over the outer surface of the spiral tube; and a flexible skin closely and watertightly fitted over the outer surface of the braided-wire tube.

Abstract: A sheath device for an endoscope comprises a sheath which is inflatable with a gas that is pumped into the inside of the sheath to allow an insert tube of the endoscope to be covered. A sheath cover, formed in the shape of a tube, surrounds the sheath with a space left therebetween to control overinflation of the sheath. A portion of the sheath cover, that surrounds the distal end portion of the sheath, is tapered toward the distal end of the sheath cover. A gas supply passage is provided for supplying a gas into the sheath to inflate it, and a gas pressure control device is provided with a bleeder which communicates with the gas supply passage and opens upwardly to the atmosphere. A ball valve is placed on the bleeder from the upper side thereof to close it.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided with a sheath which is removably fitted over an insert tube to isolate it from the external environment. A plurality of channels are provided for passing fluids, each channel having an opening at one end near the distal end portion of the sheath and extending at the other end past the proximal end of the sheath. A channel connecting device is provided at the extending end portions of the channels. The channel connecting device is capable of simultaneously and detachably connecting at least two of the channels to respective channels in the endoscope through respective connecting conduits, which are provided in a control part of the endoscope. Respective end portions of the channels are disposed in substantially parallel relations to each other, and the connecting conduits are disposed in a direction which is perpendicular to the axes of the end portions of the channels.

Abstract: An elongated flexible tube that constitutes an insert part of an endoscope. The flexible tube comprises: a spiral tube made of a precipitation hardening metal and having a groove which is recessed inwardly from the outer surface of the tube, the groove extending in a straight line along the axis of the tube, the spiral tube being subjected to age hardening process after a solid solution treatment; a braided-wire tube formed by weaving fine metal wires into a braid, the braided-wire tube being closely fitted over the outer surface of the spiral tube; and a flexible skin closely and watertightly fitted over the outer surface of the braided-wire tube.