Abstract: In a life span meter system for a lamp, such as a xenon lamp, used in an electronic endoscope, a counter numerically estimates a lit-time of the lamp as a numerical data whenever the lamp is turned ON. A memory stores the numerical data as a total numerical data of the lit-time of the lamp whenever the lamp is turned OFF. A determiner determines whether the total numerical data reaches a numerical life-span data which is numerically estimated from a life span of the lamp. An indicator indicates that the lamp should be exchanged with a new lamp when it is determined by the determiner that the total numerical lit-time data exceeds the numerical life-span data.

Abstract: A light transmitting part is formed on a second rotary shutter to intermittently transmit excitation light emitted from an excitation light source, which has a circumferential length substantially equal to a half of the entire periphery of the second rotary shutter in order to extend the period during which excitation light is emitted through a light distribution lens. As a living tissue is irradiated with excitation light, it generates autofluorescence. Although the autofluorescence is weak, a CCD can convert the image of the object under examination formed from the autofluorescence into a fluorescence video signal of a sufficient intensity level because excitation light is irradiated for an extended period of time. The obtained fluorescence video signal does not need to be amplified to an undesirable extent and hence can be processed with a high S/N to provide an appropriate diagnostic video signal that is free from noise.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope system includes an electronic endoscope, and a video processor. The video processor transmits a clock signal to the electronic endoscope in order to generate a driving signal for driving a CCD provided therein. The clock signal transmitted from the video processor has a sinusoidal waveform, and the electronic endoscope has a circuit which generates the driving signal based on the clock signal transmitted from the video processor. The driving signal is a periodical signal having a rectangular waveform. Further, a signal transmission line, which transmits the driving signal from the circuit to the CCD, is inserted into and wound around a ferrite material.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes at least one endoscope, a peripheral device having a light source, and a detachable connecting device to connect the endoscope to the peripheral device. The emission time or illumination duration of the light source is measured and stored in the peripheral device. An indicating device is used to display the stored emission time or illumination duration independent of the connection between the endoscope and the peripheral device.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus for counting a total number of times each endoscope, of a plurality of endoscopes, is connected to a peripheral device includes a connector on the peripheral device, a switch for detecting the connection of an endoscope to the connector, and a storage device provided in the peripheral device for storing the total usage operating time or the number of times connected for each individual endoscope. A display device is connected to the storage device and allows an operator to visually confirm usage times or connection totals for each endoscope independent of which endoscope is connected to the peripheral device.

Abstract: A photographing light quantity controller for an endoscope, which is used to control the quantity of illuminating light when a photograph is to be taken through the endoscope. The photographing light quantity controller comprises a device for supplying light for illuminating an object to the endoscope, a device for detecting a quantity of light that is reflected from the object and for outputting a signal in accordance with the detected quantity of light, and a device for amplifying the signal, with the amplifying device having a plurality of amplification factors which can be selected as desired. A photographing light quantity control device is provided for controlling the quantity of illuminating light that is supplied to the endoscope when a photographing operation is conducted, on the basis of the output signal from the amplifying device.

Abstract: A photographing light quantity controller for an endoscope is used to control the quantity of illuminating light when a photograph is to be taken through the endoscope. The photographing light quantity controller comprises a light source for supplying light for illuminating an object to the endoscope, and a device for detecting an illuminating condition in an observation state before a photographing operation is initiated. A device is also provided for controlling the brightness of illuminating light that is supplied from the light source to the endoscope during the photographing operation on the basis of a signal that is detected by the device for detecting an illuminating condition in the observation state.

Abstract: A photographing light quantity controller for an endoscope, which is used to control the quantity of illuminating light when a photograph is to be taken through the endoscope. The photographing light quantity controller comprises a device for supplying light for illuminating an object to be viewed by the endoscope, a photoelectric conversion device for converting into an electric signal, a brightness level of exposure light that is applied to a photographic plane in a photographing device after being reflected from the object, and a device for integrating the output from the photoelectric conversion device and outputting the resulting integral value.

Abstract: A photographing light quantity controller for an endoscope, which is used to control the quantity of illuminating light when a photograph is to be taken through the endoscope. The photographing light quantity controller comprises a device for supplying light for illuminating an object to the endoscope, a device for detecting a quantity of light that is reflected from the object and for outputting a signal in accordance with the detected quantity of light, and a device for amplifying the signal, with the amplifying device having a plurality of amplification factors which can be selected as desired. A photographing light quantity control device is provided for controlling the quantity of illuminating light that is supplied to the endoscope when a photographing operation is conducted, on the basis of the output signal from the amplifying device.