Abstract: The endoscope assembly of the present invention can transmit an imae formed by means of a pickup element of an object to be observed as image information. It is composed of signal conversion means for converting the output from the pickup element into image signals, modulation means for modulating the image signals, transmission means for transmitting the modulated image signals and means for illuminating said object so as to transmit the image information in a cavity of living or mechanical body as electrical wave to receive the image on a receiver.

Abstract: An endoscope is disclosed having a solid state image pick-up for receiving an image from a subject to be examined. The endoscope includes an illuminating source for projecting light onto the subject, a first level detector for detecting a level of a video signal supplied from the solid state image pick-up device, a first level comparator connected to the first level detector for comparing the level of the signal detected by the first level detector with a preset first reference level and generating a first control signal in accordance with the level difference, and a light controller connected to the output of the first level comparator for controlling the amount of light emitted from the illuminating source based on the first control signal.

Abstract: A light source for an endoscope is disclosed for illuminating a subject, the image from the subject being received through a leading end of the endoscope, and being projected by an objective lens onto a solid state imaging device. Light from a light source lamp is projected onto the subject sequentially with the light transmitted through three color transmitting filters. A reflector is provided to reflect light from the light source lamp in a parallel light beam. A convex lens system for converging the parallel light from the reflector. Light from said source lamp is transmitted through a light guide to the subject. A first and second lens systems are positioned between the input end of the light guide and the convex lens system for converging the light onto the input end of the light guide. The light guide is disposed within an insert member of said endoscope. The lens systems reduce the sectional area of the light beam and restrict the included angle of the light beam.

Abstract: Automatic dimmer for endoscope to automatically set to a proper value the quantity of light to irradiated to a subject or the quantity of light reflected from the subject to the solid pickup element. This equipment forms the dimmer signal on basis of the signal level output from the solid pickup element and controls the quantity of light passed on the light quantity changing member provided on the path of illuminating light irradiated from the light source to the subject or on the path of the light received by the solid pickup element.

Abstract: In this invention, the spectral structure of the high-frequency current generated by the cauterizing power circuit for high-frequency incision and excision tools is set in the frequency interleave relationship with the comb-shaped spectral structure inherent in the picture signal formed by the solid pickup element, when an affected part of a subject is collected using the high-frequency incision and excision tools together with an endoscope with the solid pickup element. The picture signal, output form the solid pickup element, is supplied to the display unit via a comb line with the characteristics to meet its spectral structure to become the signal without the spectrum component (noise) caused by the high-frequency current from the said cauterizing power circuit.

Abstract: The resolution in observing or picking up the image of a subject is improved by providing a driving means to vibrate part of the optical observation system of an endoscope using the image guide made of fiber bundle or the image-forming optical system of an endoscope using the solid pickup element, by a specified amount to meet the arrangement pitch of the said fibers or pickup elements.

Abstract: A noise suppressor is provided for an electronic endoscope which incorporates a diathermic cutter or an ultrasonic diagnosis system. The electronic endoscope utilizes a solid-state camera, and in order to prevent noises from being superimposed upon the signal fed to an image display, a transmission line which transmits a high frequency current to the diathermic cutter or a transmission line which transmits an ultrasonic signal to or receives an ultrasonic signal from an ultrasonic probe is shielded by a conductor member. In particular, for a transmission line which conveys the high frequency current, impedance regulating means is connected therewith in order to prevent the high frequency current from leaking through a distributed capacitance between the transmission line and the conductor member. Alternatively, a narrow bandpass filter may be provided which limits the frequency band of the high frequency current.

Abstract: Method for detecting a focus condition of an imaging optical system by using a surface acoustic wave device is disclosed. A light receiving element array formed by a plurality of light receiving elements receives a light flux transmitted through at least a part of an image formed by the imaging optical system. Then, outputs of said light receiving elements are processed on real time by means of a Fourier transform device including a surface acoustic wave device, a convolver, etc. so as to derive an image sharpness and/or an image lateral shift, both of which are used for a focus detection. Therefore, as compared with a conventional focus detection method, it is possible to perform the focus detection in a fast and accurate manner by a simple and small construction.

Abstract: The invention relates to means for controlling automatically the intensity of illuminating light for picking up an object to be observed by an endoscope assembly to an level suitable for the observation of object by controlling the output from power source for actuating the light source by the electrical signals issued correspondingly to the dosage on a solid pickup element. The means receive the electrical signals issued from the solid pickup element to form brightness signals, which are applied on the power source for actuating the light source to control the output therefrom depending on the level of brightness signals, thereby controlling automatically the illuminating intensity of light issued from the light source to a level suitable for picking up the image of object.

Abstract: The endoscope equipment of this invention is to display on the monitor screen pictures of different wavelength regions with particular color signals and the synthesized picture and spectral analysis waveforms at particular points by sequentially irradiating the light of a specified wavelength region to a subject, receiving the image of the reflected light with the image pickup element, converting it into electrical signals, conducting spectral characteristic correction on the obtained signals, and then by processing the signals for each wavelength region.

Abstract: Image pickup means which incorporate means for logarithmically converting the incident light intensity, for controlling the light intensity issued with a plurality of varied intensities, and performing electrically the controlling of throttling of light intensity and dynamic range by receiving the light from the controlling means on pickup elements, adding the converted electrical signals, corresponding to the light intensity received on the pickup elements, through adder means to provide electrical signals having a magnified dynamic range and processing these electrical signals through subsequent circuits.

Abstract: An electronic scan type ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus for forming a tomographic image of a patient body is disclosed. In order to focus ultrasonic waves emitted from a probe having an array of electroacoustic oscillators, driving pulses are delayed by a surface wave delay device. The delay device has a surface wave propagating medium, a first transducer including a main surface wave electrode and two sub surface wave electrodes, and a second transducer including an array of surface wave electrodes. The main and sub electrodes of the first transducer are arranged along an arc having a center situating at a middle point of the electrode array of the second transducer and the surface wave electrodes of the second transducer are arranged along an arc having a center situating on a center line connecting the main electrode and the middle point of the second transducer and a radius which is a half of that of the arc along which the main and sub electrodes are arranged.

Abstract: In an acoustic microscope device using an acoustic surface wave, a plurality of interdigital electrodes are provided on an acoustic surface wave propagating medium in a linear or circular manner, and these electrodes are selectively connected to a transmitting signal source via a multiplexer and respective delay lines having such delay times that the acoustic surface waves generated from the selected electrodes are focused at a focal point on the medium. The selection of the electrodes and the delay times of the delay lines are so changed that the focal point is moved two-dimensionally over the medium surface. The acoustic surface waves reflected at the focal points are received by the selected electrodes and electric signals from the electrodes are summed through the delay lines to derive an image signal at the relevant focal point. In this manner, a tomographic image of a specimen near its surface which is made in contact with the medium is formed.

Abstract: An echo signal irradiated from an ultrasonic scanner and reflected back from a subject under examination is amplified by a logarithm amplifier and is amplitude-detected by a detector. An adder adds to the detected echo signal an STC voltage, a gain control voltage and a gain control feedback voltage. The gain-controlled echo signal from the adder is input to a multiplier and multiplied by a dynamic control voltage and a negative feedback gain control voltage. The negative feedback gain control voltage is obtained by integrating the output from the multiplier and inverting and amplifying the obtained signal.