Abstract: A small bowel endoscopic system of an ileus tube type using a monolithic composite optical fiber that can be applied with an ileus tube employed to administer a contrast agent or the like to a patient suffering from ileus and which is an integral assembly of a large-diameter optical fiber with a core/cladding structure intended for laser light transmission and a multi-core image fiber section surrounding that optical fiber to enable image transmission.

Abstract: A welding observation apparatus is provided to use partial darkening by a telecentric optical system and a photochromic filter (PCF) as an optical system for filtering light emission from arc discharge in order to verify the welding condition under the welding arc discharge, without forming an image on the PCF, so that light reducing performance can be secured even if a focus shifts from on the PCF, with satisfactory monitoring of welding condition. The welding observation apparatus comprises: an arc welding unit 8; an objective optical system (1, 2) for concentrating light from the arc welding unit 8; a telecentric optical system 3 for guiding the light concentrated by the objective optical system (1, 2); a PCF 4 for illuminating with the light guided by the telecentric optical system 3; and a solid state imaging device 9 for receiving the light passing through the PCF 4, wherein the light from the arc welding unit 8 is partial-darkened by the PCF 4.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a transparent light guide plate, a light source provided on at least one end surface of the light guide plate, and a mask provided on a front surface of the light guide plate. The light guide plate is formed of a plurality of reflecting and scattering portions having reflecting and scattering surfaces that reflect a light emitted from the light source and emit the reflected light from a front surface side. The mask allows an observer to visually recognize the light reflected from a reflective portion for the right eye, using the right eye, and the light reflected from a reflective portion for the left eye, using the left eye, whereby the reflected light beams can be stereoscopically recognized due to binocular parallax.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manufacturing method of a display apparatus having a display portion that is made of dot-like reflection portions. The method comprising steps of: heating at least one of a blade portion of a machining tool and a light guide plate, descending the machining tool along a specific formation direction of the blade portion all through this descending step to press the blade portion into a back surface of the light guide plate, ascending the machining tool along a specific formation direction of the blade portion all through this ascending step to pull out the blade portion from the light guide plate, moving the machining tool horizontally, and arranging at least one light source along at least one edge face of the light guide plate. The steps of descending, ascending, and horizontally moving the machining tool are performed repeatedly to form the dot-like reflection portions.

Abstract: A silica-based multi core optical fiber and a fabrication method for the same are provided, and include two or more cores of GeO2—SiO2 glass including an fluorine concentration not less than about 15 w % and a germanium concentration about 0.05 wt % to 2 wt %, in a core. A relative refractive index difference of a cladding and a core is not less than about 3%; and a ratio of a cladding diameter to a core diameter is about 1.02 to 3.0. A silica-based single core optical fiber is also provided, and includes a core having a germanium concentration not less than about 15 wt % and an fluorine concentration about 0.05 wt % to 2 wt %.

Abstract: A silica-based multi core optical fiber and a fabrication method for the same are provided, and include two or more cores of GeO2—SiO2 glass including an fluorine concentration not less than about 15 w % and a germanium concentration about 0.05 wt % to 2 wt %, in a core. A relative refractive index difference of a cladding and a core is not less than about 3%; and a ratio of a cladding diameter to a core diameter is about 1.02 to 3.0. A silica-based single core optical fiber is also provided, and includes a core having a germanium concentration not less than about 15 wt % and an fluorine concentration about 0.05 wt % to 2 wt %.

Abstract: An endoscope system of the present invention includes: an image fiber with an image fiber main body made of a plurality of cores for forming pixels and a cladding common thereto; and an optical system connected to an eyepiece side of the image fiber for causing laser light to enter the image fiber and for taking in an image from the image fiber, in which the image fiber has the cores arranged substantially uniformly over a cross-section of the image fiber main body, the cross-section being perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the image fiber main body.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a transparent light guide plate, a light source provided on at least one end surface of the light guide plate, and a mask provided on a front surface of the light guide plate. The light guide plate is formed of a plurality of reflecting and scattering portions having reflecting and scattering surfaces that reflect a light emitted from the light source and emit the reflected light from a front surface side. The mask allows an observer to visually recognize the light reflected from a reflective portion for the right eye, using the right eye, and the light reflected from a reflective portion for the left eye, using the left eye, whereby the reflected light beams can be stereoscopically recognized due to binocular parallax.

Abstract: A silica-based multi core optical fiber and a fabrication method for the same are provided, and include two or more cores of GeO2—SiO2 glass including an fluorine concentration not less than about 15 w % and a germanium concentration about 0.05 wt % to 2 wt %, in a core. A relative refractive index difference of a cladding and a core is not less than about 3%; and a ratio of a cladding diameter to a core diameter is about 1.02 to 3.0. A silica-based single core optical fiber is also provided, and includes a core having a germanium concentration not less than about 15 wt % and an fluorine concentration about 0.05 wt % to 2 wt %.

Abstract: An optical fiber bundle unit is provided for transmitting ultraviolet light in which the increase of the transmission loss caused by radicals generated in the optical fiber by irradiation or transmission of ultraviolet light is suppressed and a stable energy state is maintained even after the irradiation or transmission of ultraviolet light. The optical fiber bundle unit for transmitting ultraviolet light includes an optical fiber bundle and a sealed container in which the optical fiber bundle is held. A diffusion of hydrogen gas is suppressed by putting the optical fiber bundle pretreated in a hydrogen atmosphere into the sealed container, followed by filling the sealed container with a mixed gas including a hydrogen gas and a gas which is not combustible, will not support combustion, and will not explode.

Abstract: The illumination device is provided with a plurality of light guide bodies, the bottom face of which is given light reflection/scattering treatment, light sources individually connected to the end portions of a plurality of the light guide bodies to radiate the bottom faces of a plurality of the light guide bodies, and a control unit for changing the intensity of light made incident from the light sources to a plurality of the light guide bodies. A plurality of the light guide bodies are laminated so as to be at least partially overlapped at the respective light emitting regions of the light guide bodies, and the control unit allows the intensity of light made incident from the light sources to the light guide bodies to change with the lapse of time.

Abstract: A welding observation apparatus is provided to use partial darkening by a telecentric optical system and a photochromic filter (PCF) as an optical system for filtering light emission from arc discharge in order to verify the welding condition under the welding arc discharge, without forming an image on the PCF, so that light reducing performance can be secured even if a focus shifts from on the PCF, with satisfactory monitoring of welding condition. The welding observation apparatus comprises: an arc welding unit 8; an objective optical system (1, 2) for concentrating light from the arc welding unit 8; a telecentric optical system 3 for guiding the light concentrated by the objective optical system (1, 2); a PCF 4 for illuminating with the light guided by the telecentric optical system 3; and a solid state imaging device 9 for receiving the light passing through the PCF 4, wherein the light from the arc welding unit 8 is partial-darkened by the PCF 4.

Abstract: An optical fiber, an optical fiber device, and an optical fiber bundle, which are applied to an organic tubular tissue, for the medical application for removing a thrombus part deposited on an internal wall of tubular tissue are provided. The optical fiber (20) which can be inserted in a tubular tissue (15) in an organism comprises a glass core layer (11), a covering core layer (12) which covers the glass core layer (11), and a cladding layer (13) which covers the covering core layer (12) and includes a plurality of apertural areas (23) in a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber (20). The width of the apertural area (23) in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber (20) is narrowly formed in an entrance part of the optical fiber (20), and is widely formed as to be distanced in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber (20) from the entrance part. The optical fiber device applies such the optical fiber. The optical fiber bundle bundles a plurality of such the optical fibers.

Abstract: An image fiber includes an image fiber body having a twisted portion which is formed by heating, softening, and twisting a portion of the image fiber body. The rate of twist in the twisted portion is made to be constant. Moreover, the rate of twist may preferably be set in a range from 3.6°/mm to 3600°/mm. In addition, the rate of twist at the beginning portion of the twisted portion and the rate of twist at the end portion of the twisted portion may preferably be set in a range from 3.6°/mm to 360°/mm. The twisted portion may be provided with a protective element.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical probe which uses optical fibers arranged in parallel which can be easily bent by application of a heat source to improve the performance of the optical probe. The bend may be created by application of heat by a heat source and then forcing a change in the shape of the optical probe. Alternatively, an optical probe may be bent in room temperature and then by applying heat from a heat source, a bend can be created in the optical probe.

Abstract: An endoscope system of the present invention includes: an image fiber with an image fiber main body made of a plurality of cores for forming pixels and a cladding common thereto; and an optical system connected to an eyepiece side of the image fiber for causing laser light to enter the image fiber and for taking in an image from the image fiber, in which the image fiber has the cores arranged substantially uniformly over a cross-section of the image fiber main body, the cross-section being perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the image fiber main body.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a display apparatus that includes: a light guide plate; and a light source provided on an edge face of the light guide plate. In the light guide plate, a display portion made of a dot-like reflection portion with a reflection surface for reflecting a light beam emitted from the light source to a surface is formed. In the display portion, the reflected light beam from the dot-like reflection portion is configured to be visible. This display apparatus manufactured by the method is excellent in transparency, has a display portion visually recognizable with ease, and can be manufactured at a low cost.

Abstract: The illumination device is provided with a plurality of light guide bodies, the bottom face of which is given light reflection/scattering treatment, light sources individually connected to the end portions of a plurality of the light guide bodies to radiate the bottom faces of a plurality of the light guide bodies, and a control unit for changing the intensity of light made incident from the light sources to a plurality of the light guide bodies. A plurality of the light guide bodies are laminated so as to be at least partially overlapped at the respective light emitting regions of the light guide bodies, and the control unit allows the intensity of light made incident from the light sources to the light guide bodies to change with the lapse of time.

Abstract: A silica-based multi core optical fiber and a fabrication method for the same are provided, and include two or more cores of GeO2—SiO2 glass including an fluorine concentration not less than about 15 w % and a germanium concentration about 0.05 wt % to 2 wt %, in a core. A relative refractive index difference of a cladding and a core is not less than about 3%; and a ratio of a cladding diameter to a core diameter is about 1.02 to 3.0. A silica-based single core optical fiber is also provided, and includes a core having a germanium concentration not less than about 15 wt % and an fluorine concentration about 0.05 wt % to 2 wt %.

Abstract: Endoscopic system 40 comprises composite optical fiber 34 that consists of a large-diameter, laser light transmitting optical fiber surrounded by a large number of image transmitting fibers that are bundled together to form an integral assembly with the central fiber, laser applying and image observing optical unit 42 that is connected to the eyepiece portion of said composite optical fiber such that it launches laser light into said large-diameter optical fiber and that the image being transmitted through said image transmitting optical fiber is focused on a camera to become observable, and an illuminating light transmitting unit that transmits illuminating light to the tip of the objective portion of said composite optical fiber for irradiation purposes.