Abstract: A video processor receives first and second images respectively acquired by an endoscope at first and second timings before and after a predetermined function is applied to a subject, generates first and second correction images respectively using first and second images, generates first and second post-correction images respectively obtained by causing the first and second correction images to act on the first and second images, extracts color components in the second post-correction image to find first and second distribution characteristic values, and calculates a degree of change of the second distribution characteristic value from the first distribution characteristic value.

Abstract: An image analysis apparatus includes a processor including hardware. The processor extracts parts from each of a first image and a second image acquired after the first image, each of the extracted parts including an annular peripheral portion and a central portion having a color different from a color of the peripheral portion. The processor also sets the central portion as the analysis object region and calculates a brightness decrease degree of the analysis object region in the second image relative to the analysis object region in the first image.

Abstract: An image analysis apparatus includes a region extraction unit configured to determine, as analysis target regions, respective predetermined regions in a first image and a second image that are acquired at timings before and after execution of a predetermined action to a subject and inputted through an image input unit in a state where an endoscope is continuously inserted in the subject, a distribution characteristic value calculation unit configured to obtain a first distribution characteristic value by extracting a color component of the analysis target region in the first image, and to obtain a second distribution characteristic value by extracting a color component of the analysis target region in the second image, and an image analysis unit configured to calculate the degree of change in the second distribution characteristic value with respect to the first distribution characteristic value.

Abstract: An image analyzing apparatus includes an image input portion, an image processor, a distribution characteristic value calculator, a recording portion, and a comparison information output portion. The image input portion inputs an endoscopic image. The image processor generates a brightness-corrected image. The endoscopic image is corrected to the brightness-corrected image wherein the brightness-corrected image includes a brightness distribution that being substantially uniform. The distribution characteristic value calculator extracts at least one of a red color component, a green color component, and a blue color component in the brightness-corrected image and determines a first distribution characteristic value of the extracted color component. The recording portion records information including a plurality of second distribution characteristic values.

Abstract: A video processor receives first and second images respectively acquired by an endoscope at first and second timings before and after a predetermined function is applied to a subject, generates first and second correction images respectively using first and second images, generates first and second post-correction images respectively obtained by causing the first and second correction images to act on the first and second images, extracts color components in the second post-correction image to find first and second distribution characteristic values, and calculates a degree of change of the second distribution characteristic value from the first distribution characteristic value.

Abstract: An image analysis apparatus includes a region extraction unit configured to determine, as analysis target regions, respective predetermined regions in a first image and a second image that are acquired at timings before and after execution of a predetermined action to a subject and inputted through an image input unit in a state where an endoscope is continuously inserted in the subject, a distribution characteristic value calculation unit configured to obtain a first distribution characteristic value by extracting a color component of the analysis target region in the first image, and to obtain a second distribution characteristic value by extracting a color component of the analysis target region in the second image, and an image analysis unit configured to calculate the degree of change in the second distribution characteristic value with respect to the first distribution characteristic value.

Abstract: An image analysis apparatus includes: an image input section; a region extraction section configured to specify a target element including an annular peripheral portion and a center portion that is surrounded by the peripheral portion and that is in a color different from the peripheral portion in a first image and a second image inputted from the image input section, the second image being acquired later than the first image, and configured to extract only the center portion of the target element as a region to be analyzed; and a color component extraction section configured to extract respective color component values of the extracted regions to be analyzed of the first and second images.

Abstract: An image analysis apparatus includes: an image input section; a region extraction section configured to set an analysis object region for each of a first image and a second image acquired after the first image, the first image and the second image being inputted from the image input section; and an image analysis section configured to calculate a brightness decrease degree of a part of the analysis object region in the second image, the part having a brightness decreased relative to the analysis object region in the first image.

Abstract: A medical instrument of the present invention comprises a spiral shaped portion provided at an insertion portion main body, for generating a force at the insertion portion main body to advance/retreat in a subject by a contact with a body wall of the subject, a balloon provided so as to expand radially in a radial direction of the insertion portion main body and capable of contact with the body wall, a suction opening portion provided between the spiral shaped portion and the balloon in the insertion portion main body, and a suction pipeline communicating with the suction opening portion, inserted into the insertion portion main body and connected to a suction pressure controller on a rear end side of the insertion portion main body in the insertion direction.

Abstract: An endoscope of the invention is the endoscope for applying a propulsion force in a direction of insertion axis of an insertion portion main body in accordance with rotation of the insertion portion main body based on driving force of a driving member, and the endoscope includes a flexible elongated inner layer tube configured as a shaft of the insertion portion; and a spiral-shaped portion rotatable around the inner layer tube as an axial center based on the driving force of a motor, the spiral-shaped portion forming an outer surface of the insertion portion main body, in which the spiral-shaped portion is formed by a nondensely wound coil and a resin thin film provided so as to cover gaps of a wire forming the metal coil.

Abstract: A medical instrument of the present invention comprises a spiral shaped portion provided at an insertion portion main body, for generating a force at the insertion portion main body to advance/retreat in a subject by a contact with a body wall of the subject, a balloon provided so as to expand radially in a radial direction of the insertion portion main body and capable of contact with the body wall, a suction opening portion provided between the spiral shaped portion and the balloon in the insertion portion main body, and a suction pipeline communicating with the suction opening portion, inserted into the insertion portion main body and connected to a suction pressure controller on a rear end side of the insertion portion main body in the insertion direction.

Abstract: The present invention is an endoscope apparatus comprising an over tube having a balloon, a fluid suction pipeline provided at the over tube so that a suction opening portion is opened on a proximal end side from the balloon, a suctioning device for suctioning a fluid in the fluid suction pipeline, a pressure/flow-rate sensor for detecting a pressure of the fluid at least at a single position from a lumen to which the over tube is inserted to the suctioning device through the fluid suction pipeline, and a control circuit for controlling a suction pump so that the pressure of the fluid in the lumen in the vicinity of the suction opening portion falls within an appropriate pressure range based on the pressure detected by the pressure/flow-rate sensor.

Abstract: To realize an endoscope insertion portion and endoscope system capable of providing a significant propulsive function by reducing a friction between a propulsive force generation section and an insertion portion, an endoscope insertion portion comprising: an introductory tube as an insertion portion; a spiral tube as a propulsive force generation section mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the introductory tube and rotating around the longitudinal axis of the introductory tube; and a plurality of ring members provided on an outer peripheral surface of an elastic cover tube at predetermined intervals between an inner peripheral surface of a spiral tube and the elastic cover tube 21, as a friction reduction section positioned between the spiral tube and the outer peripheral surface of the introductory tube (elastic cover tube) and reducing a contact resistance between an outer peripheral surface of the introductory tube (elastic cover tube) and the spiral tube.

Abstract: An endoscope according to the present invention includes an insertion portion that is inserted into a duct, an observation window provided at a distal end in the insertion direction of the insertion portion for observing the inside of the duct, a balloon provided so as to extend in a radial shape in a diametrical direction of the insertion portion with respect to the insertion portion and which contacts an inner wall of the duct to fix the insertion portion to the inner wall, and a plurality of suction holes that are provided at a position that is further on the distal end side in the insertion direction than the balloon while being closer to a proximal end side in the insertion direction than the observation window in the insertion portion and that suck in dirt removed from the inner wall by contact between the balloon and the inner wall.

Abstract: An endoscope of the invention is the endoscope for applying a propulsion force in a direction of insertion axis of an insertion portion main body in accordance with rotation of the insertion portion main body based on driving force of a driving member, and the endoscope includes a flexible elongated inner layer tube configured as a shaft of the insertion portion; and a spiral-shaped portion rotatable around the inner layer tube as an axial center based on the driving force of a motor, the spiral-shaped portion forming an outer surface of the insertion portion main body, in which the spiral-shaped portion is formed by a nondensely wound coil and a resin thin film provided so as to cover gaps of a wire forming the metal coil.

Abstract: An endoscope device includes an insertion portion cover as an insertion portion main body insertable into an examinee's body and having flexibility, and a helical shaped portion as a propulsion force generating portion which is rotatably placed around an outer circumference of the insertion portion cover, centered around the axis thereof, and formed in a clockwise winding toward a distal end side of the insertion portion cover. The endoscope device can thus achieve good operationality of the insertion portion, low cost, and improved insertability into a deep part in a body cavity without inflicting a pain on a patient.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an image capturing unit which is provided with at least a plurality of optical lenses, a zoom lens frame for supporting the optical lenses for zooming out of the plurality of optical lenses, and a first actuator for moving forward and reversely the zoom lens frame in an optical axis direction. The first actuator extends or contracts in accordance with an interruption of power supply.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided which has good operability, such as ease of varying the rigidity of an insertion portion, as well as a lighter-weight bending mechanism for changing the shape of a bending portion. The endoscope according to the present invention comprises an insertion portion to be inserted into a subject, an electroconductive expanding/contracting member which can expand/contract the insertion portion in the lengthwise direction and which is for expanding/contracting according to the state of voltage application, and electrodes for applying the voltage supplied from a power source to the electroconductive expanding/contracting member.

Abstract: An insertion support tool which is detachably attached to a large-intestine endoscope including an elongated inserting portion which is inserted into a lumen is provided, and an external sheath which is extendable and contractible in an inserting direction of the inserting portion and a cover member which is arranged outside the external sheath and held in a state where it covers the external sheath when the external sheath is contracted are provided to this insertion support tool.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an observation window provided on an end surface of a distal end portion of an insertion unit to introduce a reflecting light from an object to an imaging device; a plurality of illuminating units, for emitting illumination light for illuminating the object, provided around the observation window at the end surface of the distal end portion; and a water feeding nozzle, for feeding liquid to a surface of the observation window, provided on the end surface of the distal end portion of the insertion unit. An axis substantially positioned at a center of an illuminating range of the illuminating unit is inclined in a direction away from a distal end of an observing direction of an optical axis of an observation optical system including the observation window, with respect to the optical axis of the observation optical system.