Abstract: An optical scanner device, comprising a scanning unit, which casts irradiation light emitted from a light source in an arbitrary direction to scan an observation object, an objective lens system, which converges the irradiation light on the observation object, and a photo-detector unit, which is disposed on an optical axis of the objective lens system to have the irradiation light transmit therethrough, is provided. A position of the irradiation light converged on the observation object is detected based on a position of a light spot of the irradiation light transmitting through the photo-detector unit.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel fluorescent protein and a novel chromoprotein. The present invention provides a novel fluorescent protein derived from Montipora sp., Acropora sp. and Lobophytum crassum, and a novel chromoprotein derived from Actinia equine.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a novel fluorescent protein in which on and off of fluorescence thereof can be controlled by irradiation with lights of two different wavelengths. The present invention provides a fluorescent protein shown in the following (a) or (b); (a) a protein which has the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 3 or 7; or (b) a protein which has an amino acid sequence comprising a deletion, substitution, and/or addition of one or several amino acids with respect to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 3 or 7, and which has fluorescence characteristics of exhibiting a photochromic effect.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel chromoprotein and a novel fluorescent protein. The present invention provides chromoproteins derived from Anthopleura inornata, which have certain property, and fluorescent proteins from Trachyphyllia geoffroyi and Scolymia vitiensis, which have certain fluorescent property.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel fluorescent protein derived from organisms other than Aequorea victoria. According to the present invention, there is provided a fluorescent protein derived from Fungia sp., which has the following properties: (1) the excitation maximum wavelength is 455 nm, and the fluorescence maximum wavelength is 488 nm; (2) the molar absorption coefficient at 455 nm is 38700 or 27700; (3) the quantum yield is 0.85 or 0.81; and (4) the pH sensitivity of the fluorescent property is stable at pH 5 to 9; and a fluorescent protein derived from Fungia sp., which has the following properties: (1) the excitation maximum wavelength is 548 nm, and the fluorescence maximum wavelength is 561 nm; (2) the molar absorption coefficient at 548 nm is 75900 or 51000; (3) the quantum yield is 0.44 or 0.50; and (4) the pH sensitivity of the fluorescent property is pKa<5.0.

Abstract: An optical scanner device, comprising a scanning unit, which casts irradiation light emitted from a light source in an arbitrary direction to scan an observation object, an objective lens system, which converges the irradiation light on the observation object, and a photo-detector unit, which is disposed on an optical axis of the objective lens system to have the irradiation light transmit therethrough, is provided. A position of the irradiation light converged on the observation object is detected based on a position of a light spot of the irradiation light transmitting through the photo-detector unit.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a chromoprotein derived from Cnidopus japonicus. The present invention provides a chromoprotein derived from Cnidopus japonicus having the following properties: (1) the absorption maximum wavelength is 610 nm, and fluorescence is not emitted; (2) the molar absorption coefficient is 66,700 at 610 nm; and (3) the pH sensitivity of light-absorbing property is stable at between pH 4 and pH 10.

Abstract: An optical device comprises a first optical system, a second optical system, a shading unit, and a diffraction grating. The first optical system transforms incident light to parallel light. The second optical system transforms incident light to parallel light. An optical axis of the second optical system is different from an optical axis of the first optical system. The shading unit has transmission areas having slit forms and shading areas having strip forms. The transmission areas and the shading areas are alternately arranged. The diffraction grating deflects the light transmitted by the transmission areas in a predetermined direction. Part of the incident light through the first optical system passes through the transmission areas, and the rest are shaded by the shading areas. Part of the incident light through the second optical system passes through the transmission areas, and the rest are shaded by the shading areas.

Abstract: An endoscope has an optical fiber and at least one photo-detector. The optical fiber has a core that transmits illuminating light and at least one cladding that surrounds the core and transmits reflected light. The cladding has a refraction slope surface that is tapered toward a direction opposite the tip portion of the optical fiber. The photo-detector detects the reflected light that exits from the refraction slope surface by refraction.

Abstract: An optical scanner device, comprising a scanning unit, which casts irradiation light emitted from a light source in an arbitrary direction to scan an observation object, an objective lens system, which converges the irradiation light on the observation object, and a photo-detector unit, which is disposed on an optical axis of the objective lens system to have the irradiation light transmit therethrough, is provided. A position of the irradiation light converged on the observation object is detected based on a position of a light spot of the irradiation light transmitting through the photo-detector unit.

Abstract: Coordinating image acquisition among multiple endoscopes is disclosed. A method may include acquiring an image of a surface with a first endoscope system by illuminating the surface with light, collecting backscattered light, and generating the image based on the collected backscattered light. An intensity of the light from the first endoscope system may be reduced. While the intensity of the light is reduced, an image of the surface may be acquired with a second, scanning beam endoscope system by scanning a beam of light over the surface and collecting backscattered light at different times while the beam is scanned over the surface. In one aspect, a coordination signal may be exchanged between the endoscope systems to coordinate the image acquisition. In another aspect, the image acquisition may be coordinated through the scanning beam endoscope system detecting the intensity reduction. Apparatus useful in performing such methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel chromoprotein and a novel fluorescent protein. The present invention provides chromoproteins derived from Anthopleura inornata, which have certain property, and fluorescent proteins from Trachyphyllia geoffroyi and Scolymia vitiensis, which have certain fluorescent property.

Abstract: A driving mechanism configured to turn a plate member with respect to a frame member around a predetermined turning axis includes a pair of supporting members supporting the plate member, a pair of actuators provided on both sides with respect to the turning axis and on the same surface side of the plate member. Each of the actuators includes a fixed electrode unit fixed to the frame member and a movable electrode unit fixed to the plate member. The fixed electrode unit includes a substrate, a pair of fixed comb electrodes provided on both surface sides of the substrate. The movable electrode unit includes a pair of movable comb electrodes, each of which engages with the corresponding fixed comb electrode with a gap therebetween. Both pairs of the fixed comb electrode and the corresponding movable comb electrode are configured such that a voltage can be applied therebetween independently.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel fluorescent protein derived from organisms other than Aequorea victoria. According to the present invention, there is provided a fluorescent protein derived from Fungia sp., which has the following properties: (1) the excitation maximum wavelength is 455 nm, and the fluorescence maximum wavelength is 488 nm; (2) the molar absorption coefficient at 455 nm is 38700 or 27700; (3) the quantum yield is 0.85 or 0.81; and (4) the pH sensitivity of the fluorescent property is stable at pH 5 to 9; and a fluorescent protein derived from Fungia sp., which has the following properties: (1) the excitation maximum wavelength is 548 nm, and the fluorescence maximum wavelength is 561 nm; (2) the molar absorption coefficient at 548 nm is 75900 or 51000; (3) the quantum yield is 0.44 or 0.50; and (4) the pH sensitivity of the fluorescent property is pKa<5.0.

Abstract: An endoscope has an optical fiber and at least one photo-detector. The optical fiber has a core that transmits illuminating light and at least one cladding that surrounds the core and transmits reflected light. The cladding has a refraction slope surface that is tapered toward a direction opposite the tip portion of the optical fiber. The photo-detector detects the reflected light that exits from the refraction slope surface by refraction.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a fluorescent protein derived from organisms other than Aequorea victoria and having a novel primary structure. According to the present invention, there is provided a fluorescent protein derived from Halcurias sp. L, which has the following properties: (1) the excitation maximum wavelength is 494 nm, and the fluorescence maximum wavelength is 506 nm; (2) the molar absorption coefficient at 494 nm is 94600 M?1 cm?1; (3) the quantum yield is 0.65; and (4) the pH sensitivity of the fluorescent property is low in the range between pH 4 and pH 11.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel chromoprotein and a novel fluorescent protein. The present invention provides chromoproteins derived from Anthopleura inornata, which have certain property, and fluorescent proteins from Trachyphyllia geoffroyi and Scolymia vitiensis, which have certain fluorescent property.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a generally cylindrical optical waveguide, an light source emitting a laser beam, and a generally annular photodiode. The optical waveguide is provided at the distal end of the endoscope. The light source is on or near the center axis of the optical waveguide for emitting a laser beam onto a subject, so that light reflected from the subject enters an annular front-end surface of the optical waveguide. The photodiode faces an annular rear-end surface of the optical waveguide. A waterproof covering tube covers the optical waveguide and the photodiode.

Abstract: An endoscope has an insertion portion and a tip unit detachably attached to a distal end of the insertion portion. The insertion portion is configured to be inserted into an object, and has a signal cable and a first optical fiber extending therethrough. The tip unit has a second optical fiber optically connected to the first optical fiber, and an actuator electrically connected to the signal cable. The actuator vibrates the second optical fiber so as to scan light irradiated from the second optical fiber over an observed area.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an optical fiber includes placing a distal end of an optical fiber in an etch-proof fiber-holder such that a tip portion of the optical fiber is covered by the fiber-holder, and an etching portion of the optical fiber adjacent to the tip portion is not covered by the fiber-holder. The optical fiber is exposed to an etching solution to change a profile of the etching portion, and the distal end of the optical fiber is removed from the fiber-holder.