Abstract: A stereoscopic illumination endoscope system includes an endoscope processor; an electronic scope detachably attached to the endoscope processor, the electronic scope having a light guide provided therein, wherein the light guide includes a plurality of optical fiber bundles having incident-end faces arranged adjacent to each other and emission-end faces being arranged away from each other in a lateral direction thereof at the distal end; and an incident light controller which adjusts a quantity and quantity ratio of the illumination light emitted from the light source and incident on the respective incident-end faces, the incident light controller provided between the light source and the incident-end faces.

Abstract: A voltage control circuit includes a voltage step-up device that steps up an applied voltage to a stepped-up voltage, an electronic device to which the stepped-up voltage is applied, a current monitor that monitors a supplied current that is supplied to the electronic device, based on the stepped-up voltage, a step-up controller that controls the stepped-up voltage to be a predetermined target voltage, based on the supplied current, and a warning provider that provides a warning when the current monitor can not monitor the supplied current.

Abstract: A video scope has an image sensor, a circuit board, and a digital signal processor mounted on the circuit board. The digital signal processor reads image signals from the image sensor, and processes the read image signals to thereby produce at least two types of video signal. A wiring-pattern is formed on the circuit board to feed a video signal component, included in one of the two types of video signals, from the digital signal processor. The wiring-pattern is cut off at a suitable location. When the wiring-pattern remains as an unused wiring-pattern on the circuit board, the wiring-pattern is treated such that radiation of noise is prevented from going through the unused wiring-pattern.

Abstract: A printed circuit board structure for a scope unit of an electronic endoscope system, which is provided with a first printed circuit board formed with a first circuit section, and a second printed circuit board formed with a second circuit section. The first printed circuit board is piled on the second printed circuit board. The second printed circuit board having an area covered with the first printed circuit board and at least one area which is not covered with the first circuit board. The at least one area is used for electrically connecting the second circuit section with an electrical unit other than the second circuit section.

Abstract: A printed circuit board structure for a scope unit of an electronic endoscope system, which is provided with a first printed circuit board formed with a first circuit section, and a second printed circuit board formed with a second circuit section. The first printed circuit board is piled on the second printed circuit board. The second printed circuit board having an area covered with the first printed circuit board and at least one area which is not covered with the first circuit board. The at least one area is used for electrically connecting the second circuit section with an electrical unit other than the second circuit section.

Abstract: An endoscope system is provided, including an endoscope having a flexible inserting tube to be inserted into a human body and a plurality of bending sensors distributed over the flexible inserting tube along the longitudinal direction thereof. Each of the bending sensors detects the local bending state of the flexible inserting tube at the location the bending sensor are provided. A computer adapted to receive data on the local bending state from each of the plurality of bending sensors is also provided. The computer generates a graphical image representing the geometrical configuration of the flexible inserting tube from the data on the local bending states. A monitor connected to the computer to display the graphical image generated by the computer.

Abstract: A sampling pulse generator for an electronic endoscope that comprises a CDS circuit, OR circuits, a clock pulse generator, a shift counter, first and second switch groups, EEPROM and a CPU, is provided. The generator cyclically generates clock pulses. The pulses are cyclically counted between 0 and 9 by the counter. The counter has ten output terminals that correspond to each of the count numbers. A signal is only output to a terminal corresponding to the current count number. Each of the first and second switch groups has ten switches that are connected to each of the terminals. With data in the EEPROM, the on-off states of the switches are set by the CPU. The CCD drive pulses are generated by signals from the terminals via OR circuits. The clamp pulse and sample-hold pulse are generated by signals from the switch groups which are set in the on state.

Abstract: There is provided a method of reducing a power supply voltage which is supplied from a voltage regulator to at least one particular circuit, the voltage regulator being configured to adjust its output voltage by use of an external output voltage setting circuit connected thereto, a switching element being used to connect an output voltage setting terminal of the voltage regulator to a ground via a predetermined resistance. The method includes turning off the switching element so that the output voltage of the voltage regulator is set at a preset power supply voltage for enabling the at least one particular circuit, and turning on the switching element so that the output voltage of the voltage regulator is reduced to a predetermined voltage lower than the preset power supply voltage.

Abstract: An EMC core supporting structure for supporting at least one EMC core inside a casing accommodates a printed circuit board which mounts at least one heat generating element. The structure further includes a shielding plate arranged on one side of the printed circuit board. The shielding plate is capable of shielding electro-magnetic waves. A plate member is capable of shielding electro-magnetic waves. The plate member is located on the other side of the printed circuit board, the plate member expanding inside the casing to substantially cover the printed circuit board. A supporting portion, which receives the EMC core is formed on a surface of the plate member opposite to a surface facing the printed circuit board for mounting the EMC core, the surface of the plate member facing the printed circuit board contacting the heat generating element, the printed circuit board and the plate member being fixed with each other.

Abstract: An air feeding device for an endoscope, is provided with a pressure control system that controls a pressure of air within a sealed space so as to fall within a predetermined set range. The air feeding device is further provided with an abnormal condition detecting system that detects an abnormal condition of at least one of the pressure within the sealed space and control of the pressure control system. Further, the air feeding device includes a resolving system that resolves the abnormal condition when the abnormal condition detecting system detects an abnormal condition.

Abstract: An EMC core supporting structure for supporting one or more EMC cores inside a casing, which accommodates a printed circuit board, includes a plate member capable of shielding electro-magnetic waves. Preferably, the plate member expanding inside the casing to substantially cover the printed circuit board, and at least one side portion of the plate member is connected to an inner wall of the casing. A supporting portion that receives the EMC core(s) is formed on a surface of the plate member opposite to a surface facing the printed circuit board for mounting the at least one EMC core on the plate member.

Abstract: A scope unit of an electronic endoscope system is provided with first and second printed circuit boards respectively formed with first and second circuit sections. The first printed circuit board is fixed with respect to the second printed circuit board at a plurality of fixing areas. At least one connector is connected with the at least one corresponding connector when the first printed circuit board is piled on the second printed circuit board. The at least one connector and the at least one corresponding connector are aligned between two of the plurality of fixing areas and substantially on a line connecting the two of the plurality of fixing areas.

Abstract: A printed circuit board structure for a scope unit of an electronic endoscope system, which is provided with a first printed circuit board formed with a first circuit section, and a second printed circuit board formed with a second circuit section. The first printed circuit board is piled on the second printed circuit board. The second printed circuit board having an area covered with the first printed circuit board and at least one area which is not covered with the first circuit board. The at least one area is used for electrically connecting the second circuit section with an electrical unit other than the second circuit section.

Abstract: An air delivery unit for an endoscope includes a pressure-sensor, a voltage descent processor, an amplifier, and an electric power supplier. A closed-space is formed in the air delivery unit. The air delivery unit adjusts a pressure in the closed-space by measuring the pressure and then discharging air in the closed-space.

Abstract: An EMC core supporting structure for supporting one or more EMC cores inside a casing, which accommodates a printed circuit board, includes a plate member capable of shielding electromagnetic waves. Preferably, the plate member expanding inside the casing to substantially cover the printed circuit board, and at least one side portion of the plate member is connected to an inner wall of the casing. A supporting portion that receives the EMC core (s) is formed on a surface of the plate member opposite to a surface facing the printed circuit board for mounting the at least one EMC core on the plate member.

Abstract: An EMC core supporting structure for supporting at least one EMC core inside a casing accommodates a printed circuit board which mounts at least one heat generating element. The structure further includes a shielding plate arranged on one side of the printed circuit board. The shielding plate is capable of shielding electro-magnetic waves. A plate member is capable of shielding electro-magnetic waves. The plate member is located on the other side of the printed circuit board, the plate member expanding inside the casing to substantially cover the printed circuit board. A supporting portion, which receives the EMC core is formed on a surface of the plate member opposite to a surface facing the printed circuit board for mounting the EMC core, the surface of the plate member facing the printed circuit board contacting the heat generating element, the printed circuit board and the plate member being fixed with each other.

Abstract: An endoscope system is provided, including an endoscope having a flexible inserting tube to be inserted into a human body and a plurality of bending sensors distributed over the flexible inserting tube along the longitudinal direction thereof. Each of the bending sensors detects the local bending state of the flexible inserting tube at the location the bending sensor are provided. A computer adapted to receive data on the local bending state from each of the plurality of bending sensors is also provided. The computer generates a graphical image representing the geometrical configuration of the flexible inserting tube from the data on the local bending states. A monitor connected to the computer to display the graphical image generated by the computer.

Abstract: A video scope has an image sensor, a circuit board, and a digital signal processor mounted on the circuit board. The digital signal processor reads image signals from the image sensor, and processes the read image signals to thereby produce at least two types of video signal. A wiring-pattern is formed on the circuit board to feed a video signal component, included in one of the two types of video signals, from the digital signal processor. The wiring-pattern is cut off at a suitable location. When the wiring-pattern remains as an unused wiring-pattern on the circuit board, the wiring-pattern is treated such that radiation of noise is prevented from going through the unused wiring-pattern.

Abstract: A discharge pressure measuring device is provided with a discharge pressure measuring system that measures a discharge pressure of the air discharged from a discharging end of an air supplying tube provided to an endoscope. The air discharged by the discharging end is directed to a pressure sensing portion of the discharging pressure measuring system through a pipe. A circuitry for obtaining a voltage representing a true discharge pressure based on a voltage output by the discharge pressure measuring member is provided. A positional relationship of the air discharge portion of the pipe with respect to the pressure sensing portion is changeable.

Abstract: An air delivery unit, in which a closed-space is formed, comprises a discharge-mode switch, a pressure switch and a discharge switch. The discharge-mode switch, the pressure switch, and the discharge switch are arranged on an operation panel. The discharge-mode switch is provided for setting a discharge-mode. The pressure switch is provided for setting the pressure in the closed space. The discharge switch is provided for carrying out a discharge of the air in the closed-space. Accordingly, the discharge-mode switch, the pressure switch and the discharge switch are aligned in operation order.