Abstract: Provided is an optical measurement device configured so that a high-accuracy three-dimensional image can be obtained. An emission angle of a ray of light is changed in such a manner that the rotation frequencies of two motors configured to rotatably drive a first optical path changing unit and a second optical path changing unit is controlled. The ray of light is emitted to a front three-dimensional region, and reflected light is obtained. Then, calculation is made by a computer, and in this manner, three-dimensional data on a measurement target object is obtained. The amount (vibration amount) of axial backlash or play of a rotary mechanism, such as a motor shaft, along which the ray of light is emitted is measured in real time, and such a backlash or play amount is subtracted from a three-dimensional image obtained by the computer. Consequently, a high-accuracy three-dimensional image is obtained.

Abstract: An optical inner surface measurement device is provided; which includes a motor; a rotary optical fiber configured to be rotated by the motor; a fixed optical fiber configured not to rotate relative to the rotary optical fiber; and a runout detection sensor configured to measure a runout amount of the rotary optical fiber, wherein an optical path conversion device is arranged at a tip end of the rotary optical fiber, at a back of the motor, both end surfaces of the rotary optical fiber and the fixed optical fiber face each other with a minute clearance, and reflected light, which is captured by the optical path conversion device, from a measurement target object inner surface is guided to a measurement machine body by way of the rotary optical fiber and the fixed optical fiber and is analyzed by a computer to produce inner surface measurement data, and the inner surface measurement data is corrected based on the runout amount detected by the runout detection sensor.

Abstract: An optical inner surface measurement device is provided; which includes a motor; a rotary optical fiber configured to be rotated by the motor; a fixed optical fiber configured not to rotate relative to the rotary optical fiber; and a runout detection sensor configured to measure a runout amount of the rotary optical fiber, wherein an optical path conversion device is arranged at a tip end of the rotary optical fiber, at a back of the motor, both end surfaces of the rotary optical fiber and the fixed optical fiber face each other with a minute clearance, and reflected light, which is captured by the optical path conversion device, from a measurement target object inner surface is guided to a measurement machine body by way of the rotary optical fiber and the fixed optical fiber and is analyzed by a computer to produce inner surface measurement data, and the inner surface measurement data is corrected based on the runout amount detected by the runout detection sensor.

Abstract: An optical inner-surface measurement device includes: an optical fiber included inside a tube, the optical fiber being configured to be inserted into a hole of an inspection object; at least two optical-path converting elements disposed in a forward-end of the optical fiber; and a motor for rotationally driving at least one of the at least two optical-path converting elements. The at least two optical-path converting elements emit a light beam, guided thereto through the optical fiber, to an inner peripheral surface of the hole of the inspection object three-dimensionally in a circumferential direction and an axial direction of the hole.

Abstract: Provided is an optical measurement device configured so that a high-accuracy three-dimensional image can be obtained. An emission angle of a ray of light is changed in such a manner that the rotation frequencies of two motors configured to rotatably drive a first optical path changing unit and a second optical path changing unit is controlled. The ray of light is emitted to a front three-dimensional region, and reflected light is obtained. Then, calculation is made by a computer, and in this manner, three-dimensional data on a measurement target object is obtained. The amount (vibration amount) of axial backlash or play of a rotary mechanism, such as a motor shaft, along which the ray of light is emitted is measured in real time, and such a backlash or play amount is subtracted from a three-dimensional image obtained by the computer. Consequently, a high-accuracy three-dimensional image is obtained.

Abstract: A 3D-scanning optical imaging probe which inhibits rotation unevenness of rotational sections, shaft run-out, friction, and rotation transmission delay by reducing the occurrence of torque loss and rotation transmission delay, and which is capable of obtaining 3D scans and observation images within a fixed frontal range. A substantially tubular catheter has, provided along substantially the same line therein: a fixed-side optical fiber; a first optical path conversion means which is rotationally driven by a first motor, and which rotates and emits a beam of light forwards and tilted at an angle with respect to a rotational axis; and a second optical path conversion means which, at a tip side of a rotation-side optical fiber rotationally driven by a second motor, tilts an optical path by a micro-angle with respect to the rotational axis, and rotates and emits the beam of light to irradiate the first optical path conversion means therewith.

Abstract: An optical inner-surface measurement device includes: an optical fiber included inside a tube, the optical fiber being configured to be inserted into a hole of an inspection object; at least two optical-path converting elements disposed in a forward-end of the optical fiber; and a motor for rotationally driving at least one of the at least two optical-path converting elements. The at least two optical-path converting elements emit a light beam, guided thereto through the optical fiber, to an inner peripheral surface of the hole of the inspection object three-dimensionally in a circumferential direction and an axial direction of the hole.

Abstract: Higher-precision measurement is achieved by an optical inner surface measuring device configured to cause a probe to enter into the inner peripheral surface or deep hole of a target object, capture and observe reflection light from the inner surface in a three-dimensional manner, and measure the accuracy of the target object. In a structure including an optical fiber built into a tube, a light path conversion unit arranged at a leading end side of the optical fiber, and a motor configured to rotationally drive the light path conversion unit, a unit for measuring the amount of runout of a rotation shaft unit of the motor is provided. Shape data on the inner peripheral surface of a target object is obtained by calculating at a computer reflection light from the target object, and is modified by displacement amount data from a displacement measurement unit to realize high-precision measurement with no measurement error resulting from runout and rotational vibration of the rotation shaft of the motor.

Abstract: Provided is optical imaging probe that is able to obtain stable observation image by optical path correction. It includes a rotation driving source adapted to drive and rotate a rotor; a first single-mode optical fiber inserted and fixed over the axial direction in the rotation center side of the rotor, the front end of which light is able to enter; a second single-mode optical fiber supported at the rear end side of the first single-mode optical fiber in a non-rotatable manner; and a gap and optical path correcting means interposed between the first single-mode optical fiber and the second single-mode optical fiber, and the optical path correcting means is adapted to expand and collimate the light transmitted from one single-mode optical fiber and pass it through the gap, and then guide it to the other single-mode optical fiber.

Abstract: Provided is an optical imaging probe that is able to obtain a stable observation image by a dynamic pressure bearing. An optical imaging probe for guiding rearward a light entering a front end includes: a rotation driving source adapted to drive and rotate a rotor; a tubular rotation shaft inserted and fixed over an axial direction in a rotation center side of the rotor; an optical fiber inserted in the tubular rotation shaft, the front end of which a light is able to enter; and a bearing member supporting the tubular rotation shaft in a rotatable manner, and the bearing member configures a dynamic pressure bearing adapted to generate a high lubricating oil film pressure locally at multiple positions in a circumference direction.

Abstract: A probe for a three-dimensional (3D) scanning optical imaging which prevents rotational irregularity, axial runout, friction, rotation transmission delays of a rotational part by reducing occurrences of rotation transmission delays, torque loss, and the like, and can perform scanning of a certain length in an axial direction and obtain a three-dimensional observation image, in a probe for OCT image diagnosis. A fixed side optical fiber that transmits light between a tip side and a rear side of a probe and is non-rotatably disposed, a first optical path conversion means that rotates to emit a light ray in a substantially radial direction, a rotation side optical fiber which is rotated by a motor, and a second optical path conversion means that rotates and emits light toward the first optical path conversion means are collinearly disposed. In this way, it is possible to obtain a high quality 3D observation image.

Abstract: To provide a vibration actuator capable of both rotation and linear drive and providing a stable driving force. A vibration actuator whose output shaft is moved by vibration includes an oscillatable element with an approximately polygonal shape, the oscillatable element including a hole through which the output shaft is inserted and a slit portion expanding radially from this hole. This slit portion generates the spring force between the output shaft and the oscillatable element to energize the output shaft and holds the output shaft. At least one surface of outer peripheral surfaces of the oscillatable element and its opposite surface are provided with vibrators with the patterned electrodes. A progressive wave is generated in the oscillatable element by applying sequentially voltage to an electrode pattern of the patterned electrodes, thereby rotating the output shaft and displacing the output shaft axially due to the vibration.

Abstract: Higher-precision measurement is achieved by an optical inner surface measuring device configured to cause a probe to enter into the inner peripheral surface or deep hole of a target object, capture and observe reflection light from the inner surface in a three-dimensional manner, and measure the accuracy of the target object. In a structure including an optical fiber built into a tube, a light path conversion unit arranged at a leading end side of the optical fiber, and a motor configured to rotationally drive the light path conversion unit, a unit for measuring the amount of runout of a rotation shaft unit of the motor is provided. Shape data on the inner peripheral surface of a target object is obtained by calculating at a computer reflection light from the target object, and is modified by displacement amount data from a displacement measurement unit to realize high-precision measurement with no measurement error resulting from runout and rotational vibration of the rotation shaft of the motor.

Abstract: A 3D-scanning optical imaging probe which inhibits rotation unevenness of rotational sections, shaft run-out, friction, and rotation transmission delay by reducing the occurrence of torque loss and rotation transmission delay, and which is capable of obtaining 3D scans and observation images within a fixed frontal range. A substantially tubular catheter has, provided along substantially the same line therein: a fixed-side optical fiber; a first optical path conversion means which is rotationally driven by a first motor, and which rotates and emits a beam of light forwards and tilted at an angle with respect to a rotational axis; and a second optical path conversion means which, at a tip side of a rotation-side optical fiber rotationally driven by a second motor, tilts an optical path by a micro-angle with respect to the rotational axis, and rotates and emits the beam of light to irradiate the first optical path conversion means therewith.

Abstract: A probe for a three-dimensional (3D) scanning optical imaging which prevents rotational irregularity, axial runout, friction, rotation transmission delays of a rotational part by reducing occurrences of rotation transmission delays, torque loss, and the like, and can perform scanning of a certain length in an axial direction and obtain a three-dimensional observation image, in a probe for OCT image diagnosis. A fixed side optical fiber that transmits light between a tip side and a rear side of a probe and is non-rotatably disposed, a first optical path conversion means that rotates to emit a light ray in a substantially radial direction, a rotation side optical fiber which is rotated by a motor, and a second optical path conversion means that rotates and emits light toward the first optical path conversion means are collinearly disposed. In this way, it is possible to obtain a high quality 3D observation image.

Abstract: A bending device to bend a flexible tube from inside electrically includes an electric actuator to drive a movable shaft electrically along the longitudinal direction of the tube in the axial direction and in the rotational direction, and an elongated member of which one end is connected to the movable shaft and the other end is connected to the inner surface of the tube at the location distanced, in the longitudinal direction of the tube, from the connecting point connecting the one end of the elongated member and the movable shaft, the connecting point connecting the one end of the elongated member and the movable shaft being located eccentric to the center of the movable shaft so that the towing direction of the elongated member towed by retreating the movable shaft changes along the circumferential direction by rotation of the movable shaft.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic endoscopic probe capable of obtaining an ultrasonic observation image having high spatial resolution. A part of a substantially tubular catheter is sealed with seal plates to provide a cavity housing: a motor including a motor casing, a rotor magnet, a bearing, and a rotating shaft; an ultrasonic transducer mounted to the rotating shaft; and a signal transmission means. The bearing includes an inner peripheral surface provided with a plurality of dynamic pressure generating grooves. An acoustic coupling fluid is sealed in the cavity and is allowed to penetrate a gap between the bearing and the rotating shaft at all times. When the ultrasonic transducer and the motor are rotated in the acoustic coupling fluid, the acoustic coupling fluid is suctioned in a preferable manner into the bearing gap having the dynamic pressure generating grooves for lubrication. Thus, a lack of an oil film on the bearing can be prevented, allowing for high accuracy rotation.

Abstract: Provided is optical imaging probe that is able to obtain stable observation image by optical path correction. It includes a rotation driving source (10) adapted to drive and rotate a rotor (11); a first single-mode optical fiber (33) inserted and fixed over the axial direction in the rotation center side of the rotor (11), the front end of which light is able to enter; a second single-mode optical fiber (34) supported at the rear end side of the first single-mode optical fiber (33) in a non-rotatable manner; and a gap (s) and optical path correcting means (35) interposed between the first single-mode optical fiber (33) and the second single-mode optical fiber (34), and the optical path correcting means (35) is adapted to expand and collimate the light transmitted from one single-mode optical fiber and pass it through the gap (s), and then guide it to the other single-mode optical fiber.

Abstract: Provided is an optical imaging probe that is able to obtain a stable observation image by a dynamic pressure bearing. An optical imaging probe for guiding rearward a light entering a front end includes: a rotation driving source (10) adapted to drive and rotate a rotor (11); a tubular rotation shaft (20) inserted and fixed over an axial direction in a rotation center side of the rotor (11); an optical fiber (30) inserted in the tubular rotation shaft (20), the front end of which a light is able to enter; and a bearing member (41, 42) supporting the tubular rotation shaft (20) in a rotatable manner, and the bearing member (41, 42) configures a dynamic pressure bearing adapted to generate a high lubricating oil film pressure locally at multiple positions in a circumference direction.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic endoscopic probe capable of obtaining an ultrasonic observation image having high spatial resolution. A part of a substantially tubular catheter is sealed with seal plates to provide a cavity housing: a motor including a motor casing, a rotor magnet, a bearing, and a rotating shaft; an ultrasonic transducer mounted to the rotating shaft; and a signal transmission means. The bearing includes an inner peripheral surface provided with a plurality of dynamic pressure generating grooves. An acoustic coupling fluid is sealed in the cavity and is allowed to penetrate a gap between the bearing and the rotating shaft at all times. When the ultrasonic transducer and the motor are rotated in the acoustic coupling fluid, the acoustic coupling fluid is suctioned in a preferable manner into the bearing gap having the dynamic pressure generating grooves for lubrication. Thus, a lack of an oil film on the bearing can be prevented, allowing for high accuracy rotation.