Abstract: An endoscope includes: an insertion portion to be inserted into a subject; an operation section provided at a proximal end of the insertion portion; a first light source section provided inside the operation section, the first light source section generating first light as broadband light having a broadband wavelength characteristic; a light guiding section that guides the first light emitted from the first light source section; a second light source section provided on a distal end side of the insertion portion, the second light source section generating second light; and an optical element provided on the distal end side of the insertion portion, the optical element combining the first light and the second light and emitting the resulting light from an illuminating window.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insert section to be inserted into the body cavity, an illumination window for directing illumination light therethrough and an observation window for observing an illuminated internal portion of the body cavity, arranged at a distal end portion of the insert section, and a blood flow changing section for changing a blood flow of blood flowing through a vessel in a near-surface region of a living organ inside the body cavity by providing one of a temperature change and vibration energy.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: an insertion portion to be inserted into a subject; an operation section provided at a proximal end of the insertion portion; a first light source section provided inside the operation section, the first light source section generating first light as broadband light having a broadband wavelength characteristic; a light guiding section that guides the first light emitted from the first light source section; a second light source section provided on a distal end side of the insertion portion, the second light source section generating second light; and an optical element provided on the distal end side of the insertion portion, the optical element combining the first light and the second light and emitting the resulting light from an illuminating window.

Abstract: A placement method includes inserting an endoscope into a body, blocking a tubular tissue in the body with a distal end of the endoscope, pressurizing a detection target space between a placement member which is placed in the tubular tissue and blocks the tubular tissue and the distal end of the endoscope via a channel of the endoscope, and detecting a pressure state in the detection target space.

Abstract: A placement method includes inserting an endoscope into a body, blocking a tubular tissue in the body with a distal end of the endoscope, pressurizing a detection target space between a placement member which is placed in the tubular tissue and blocks the tubular tissue and the distal end of the endoscope via a channel of the endoscope, and detecting a pressure state in the detection target space.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insert section to be inserted into the body cavity, an illumination window for directing illumination light therethrough and an observation window for observing an illuminated internal portion of the body cavity, arranged at a distal end portion of the insert section, and a blood flow changing section for changing a blood flow of blood flowing through a vessel in a near-surface region of a living organ inside the body cavity by providing one of a temperature change and vibration energy.

Abstract: A method of forming an image of detailed cilium wrapped by mucus which exists in the epithelial layer of a cellular structure of a bronchus, where the method includes the steps of: irradiating an illumination light to the epithelial layer; generating Fresnel reflected light; irradiating the Fresnel reflected light to an image pick-up optical system; enlarging the Fresnel reflected light by the image pick-up optical system so that the enlarged Fresnel reflected light can be received by the image pick-up element; scanning at a velocity which is more than the velocity of motion of the cilium by the image pick-up element; transmitting image information from the image pick-up element to an observable medium with the naked eye; and displaying the image of detailed cilium by the observable medium.

Abstract: A method of forming an image of detailed cilium wrapped by mucus which exists in the epithelial layer of a cellular structure of a bronchus, where the method includes the steps of: irradiating an illumination light to the epithelial layer; generating Fresnel reflected light; irradiating the Fresnel reflected light to an image pick-up optical system; enlarging the Fresnel reflected light by the image pick-up optical system so that the enlarged Fresnel reflected light can be received by the image pick-up element; scanning at a velocity which is more than the velocity of motion of the cilium by the image pick-up element; transmitting image information from the image pick-up element to an observable medium with the naked eye; and displaying the image of detailed cilium by the observable medium.

Abstract: A fluorescent endoscope apparatus having: an endoscope that irradiates a subject portion to be observed with light transmitted through a light transmission device to obtain an object image of the subject portion to be observed; a normal observation light generating device for emitting normal light for performing normal light endoscope observation; a fluorescent observation light generating device for emitting excitation light for performing fluorescent light observation; an introduced-light switching device for selectively introducing, to the light transmission device of the endoscope, normal light emitted by the normal observation light generating device or excitation light emitted by the fluorescent observation light generating device; and an image sensing device for capturing a normal light image of the subject portion to be observed that can be obtained by irradiating the subject portion to be observed with normal light or excitation light or a fluorescent image that can be obtained due to irradiation wit

Abstract: An endoscope system for use in an endoscopic procedure including a plurality of endoscopes each having an insertion section to be inserted into a cavity under inspection and an operation section to which the insertion section is connected, and a plurality of disposable protection covers each having an insertion section cover for covering said insertion section of the endoscope and an operation section cover for covering said operation section of the endoscope. The operation section of the endoscope is provided with angle knobs for bending a distal end of the insertion section into a desired direction and said angle knobs are detachably secured to a shaft. In said operation section cover, there is formed an aperture through which said shaft is protruded from the operation section cover. All the angle knobs and shafts of all the endoscopes are constructed such that all the angle knobs can be detachably secured to any of the shafts.

Abstract: A blood-vessel endoscope system has an endoscope to be inserted into a blood vessel in a living body and a frozen-picture memorizing device connected to the endoscope, and is capable of storing a frozen picture when a release switch is actuated. The system is provided with a frozen-picture memorization controlling device so that a frozen picture free from a large blur may be stored in synchronization with the signal output from a heart pulsation measuring device for measuring the heart pulsation of the living body and at the timing that the action of a myocardium is reduced.

Abstract: An oviduct-closing apparatus includes a body having a clamping portion. The clamping portion is prepared from a shape memory alloy. The clamping portion deforms into an open state engageable with an oviduct or a closed state capable of clamping the oviduct, in accordance with temperature change.