Abstract: An endoscope system comprising an endoscope which incorporates an imaging element together with an element for determining the type of the imaging element; a light source apparatus, which includes a DMD in a light path from a light source lamp, for determining incidence or non-incidence of the illuminating light from the light source lamp on a mirror; a CPU which determines the type of imaging element based on the information provided by the type determining element and detects a time required by the imaging element for charge reading based on the determination result; and a DMD control circuit which controls the DMD at a charge reading timing of the imaging element corresponding to the charge reading time detected by the CPU, the endoscope system making it possible to extend the exposure time to a maximum regardless of the type of the endoscope, by controlling the light shielding time of illuminating light in accordance with the type of the imaging element.

Abstract: A flexible shaft driven to rotate is inserted through a transparent sheath having pliability. By a fiber inserted through the inside thereof, low-coherence light is guided and is made to exit to a living-body tissue side which is an observation target through a lens and a prism forming an exit and entrance portion at the tip portion. Subsequently, the light reflected on the living-body tissue side is guided in order to produce an image. In that case, a positioning member for keeping the exit and entrance portion and the living-body tissue at a proper distance is formed at the tip portion of the sheath or the tip portion of an endoscope through which an optical probe is inserted and, therefore, a stable tomogram image can be produced.

Abstract: Before performing observation with an optical scanning probe using a low-coherence light source and the like, a shutter is inserted in a reference light side optical path to create a state wherein interference light does not occur, in which state a reference member is set to a focal position of a converging optical system such that the output of a light detector is maximal by moving the reference member by a driving device at an observation light optical path side of an optical scanning probe, following which the shutter is opened, and the position of a mirror at the reference light side is moved and set such that the output of the light detecting means is maximal, thereby enabling the optical scanning observation apparatus to be set to a state of suitable optical properties, easily and smoothly.

Abstract: A flexible shaft driven to rotate is inserted through a transparent sheath having pliability. By a fiber inserted through the inside thereof, low-coherence light is guided and is made to exit to a living-body tissue side which is an observation target through a lens and a prism forming an exit and entrance portion at the tip portion. Subsequently, the light reflected on the living-body tissue side is guided in order to produce an image. In that case, a positioning member for keeping the exit and entrance portion and the living-body tissue at a proper distance is formed at the tip portion of the sheath or the tip portion of an endoscope through which an optical probe is inserted and, therefore, a stable tomogram image can be produced.

Abstract: Tire rubber material is highly accurately and efficiently extruded by a positive displacement extruding system that includes, as seen from an upstream side of the tire rubber, a screw extruder unit, a gear pump unit and an extrusion head unit with an extrusion nozzle, which are connected in series with each other. While the tire rubber is caused to flow through the extruding system, the temperature of the rubber material is measured and controlled to be within a predetermined temperature range, in accordance with the measured temperature of the rubber material. The rubber material maintained at a controlled temperature is extruded from the extrusion nozzle, thereby improving the positive displacement performance of the extruding system.

Abstract: An Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) device irradiates a biological tissue with low coherence light, obtains a high resolution tomogram of the inside of the tissue by low-coherent interference with scattered light from the tissue, and is provided with an optical probe which includes an optical fiber having a flexible and thin insertion part for introducing the low coherent light. When the optical probe is inserted into a blood vessel or a patient's body cavity, the OCT enables the doctor to observe a high resolution tomogram. In a optical probe, generally, a fluctuation of a birefringence occurs depending on a bend of the optical fiber, and this an interference contrast varies depending on the condition of the insertion. The OCT of the present invention is provided with polarization compensation means such as a Faraday rotator on the side of the light emission of the optical probe, so that the OCT can obtain the stabilized interference output regardless of the state of the bend.

Abstract: There is disclosed a living tissue harvesting apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, comprising a sheath which can be inserted in a body through a cut skin portion, an endoscope inserted through the sheath, a cutting device which is disposed at the sheath and which can cut a living tissue, and a holder which is disposed at the sheath to hold a harvesting object tissue in the body and which includes a press discharge portion to press-discharge the harvesting object tissue in a direction detached from the cutting device, wherein the holder includes a hook portion to catch the living tissue in a position disposed opposite to the cutting device, and the cutting device and hook portion can move with respect to each other.

Abstract: An Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) device irradiates a biological tissue with low coherence light, obtains a high resolution tomogram of the inside of the tissue by low-coherent interference with scattered light from the tissue, and is provided with an optical probe which includes an optical fiber having a flexible and thin insertion part for introducing the low coherent light. When the optical probe is inserted into a blood vessel or a patient's body cavity, the OCT enables the doctor to observe a high resolution tomogram. In a optical probe, generally, a fluctuation of a birefringence occurs depending on a bend of the optical fiber, and this an interference contrast varies depending on the condition of the insertion. The OCT of the present invention is provided with polarization compensation means such as a Faraday rotator on the side of the light emission of the optical probe, so that the OCT can obtain the stabilized interference output regardless of the state of the bend.

Abstract: On the side at hand of an optical probe, a whole rotation transfer connector rotates while being supported by a ball bearing and a slide bearing and, therefore, rotation is transferred to a flexible shaft. The relative position between the flexible shaft and an optical sheath is changed in accordance with the amount of screwing of a sheath stopping member on the side at hand into an outer cylinder by an external thread portion and an internal thread portion. When the optical sheath is moved furthermore, the flexible shaft is elongated due to elastic deformation because the length of the flexible shaft is regulated by the interval between a locking part of a locking member at the tip and a shaft stopping member. A tip housing is made to contact with the locking member while tension is applied to the flexible shaft by the rear end surface in the direction of the side at hand.

Abstract: An Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) device irradiates a biological tissue with low coherence light, obtains a high resolution tomogram of the inside of the tissue by low-coherent interference with scattered light from the tissue, and is provided with an optical probe which includes an optical fiber having a flexible and thin insertion part for introducing the low coherent light. When the optical probe is inserted into a blood vessel or a patient's body cavity, the OCT enables the doctor to observe a high resolution tomogram. In a optical probe, generally, a fluctuation of a birefringence occurs depending on a bend of the optical fiber, and this an interference contrast varies depending on the condition of the insertion. The OCT of the present invention is provided with polarization compensation means such as a Faraday rotator on the side of the light emission of the optical probe, so that the OCT can obtain the stabilized interference output regardless of the state of the bend.

Abstract: A flexible shaft driven to rotate is inserted through a transparent sheath having pliability. By a fiber inserted through the inside thereof, low-coherence light is guided and is made to exit to a living-body tissue side which is an observation target through a lens and a prism forming an exit and entrance portion at the tip portion. Subsequently, the light reflected on the living-body tissue side is guided in order to produce an image. In that case, a positioning member for keeping the exit and entrance portion and the living-body tissue at a proper distance is formed at the tip portion of the sheath or the tip portion of an endoscope through which an optical probe is inserted and, therefore, a stable tomogram image can be produced.

Abstract: Provided is an endoscope system comprising an endoscope which incorporates an imaging element together with an element for determining the type of the imaging element; a light source apparatus, which includes a DMD in a light path from a light source lamp, for determining incidence or non-incidence of the illuminating light from the light source lamp on a mirror; a CPU which determines the type of imaging element based on the information provided by the type determining element and detects a time required by the imaging element for charge reading based on the determination result; and a DMD control circuit which controls the DMD at a charge reading timing of the imaging element corresponding to the charge reading time detected by the CPU, the endoscope system making it possible to extend the exposure time to a maximum regardless of the type of the endoscope, by controlling the light shielding time of illuminating light in accordance with the type of the imaging element.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire is highly precisely and efficiently manufactured by a method wherein, during formation of a green tire, at least one constitutive member, such as a sidewall (17), is formed by radially outwardly expanding a widthwise center portion of a substantially cylindrical carcass band (13), and subsequently winding an unvulcanized rubber strip and joining the rubber strip onto an outer peripheral surface of the expanded carcass band (13).

Abstract: Tire rubber material is highly accurately and efficiently extruded by a positive displacement extruding system that includes, as seen from an upstream side of the tire rubber, a screw extruder unit, a gear pump unit and an extrusion head unit with an extrusion nozzle, which are connected in series with each other. While the tire rubber is caused to flow through the extruding system, the temperature of the rubber material is measured and controlled to be within a predetermined temperature range, in accordance with the measured temperature of the rubber material. The rubber material maintained at a controlled temperature is extruded from the extrusion nozzle, thereby improving the positive displacement performance of the extruding system.

Abstract: A rubber material for tire-constitutional member is laid on a rotating support at a high efficiency and a high accuracy by arranging a pair of rollers rotating in opposite directions in the vicinity of a radially outer surface portion of the support and utilizing a gap defined between the rollers as a roller die.

Abstract: A method of producing a tire with a simplified operation and a high productivity, for improving the lateral rigidity and the steering stability performance of the tire. An annular laminated body as a reinforcing layer in the side surface area of the tire is formed by spirally winding and laminating a ribbon of an unvulcanized rubber embedding a thin gauge and embedding short fibers with a desired orientation. The annular laminated body is applied at a position corresponding to the side surface area of the tire, between the outer rubber and the inner liner rubber, upon formation of a green tire for the tire.