Abstract: An actuator apparatus includes a plurality of actuators each having a shape-memory alloy, a power supply line unit for supplying power to the actuators, power supply control unit connected in series with at least one of the actuators, and a driving unit for driving the power supply control unit.

Abstract: The position controlling apparatus of this invention is to curve an endoscope insertable part or a catheter and is provided with an actuator having a shape memorizing alloy body. The shape memorizing alloy body is heated or cooled by a driving appartaus and the actuator is displaced by such heating or cooling. The difference between the actual displacement of the actuator driven by the driving apparatus and the objective displacement of the actuator is output by a comparing means which operates the driving apparatus on the basis of this difference. A resistance value detecting circuit detects the resistance value of the shape memorizing alloy body varying when the shape memorizing alloy body is heated or cooled. The detected value detected by the resistance value detecting circuit is input into a controlling apparatus which controls the driving apparatus on the basis of the detected value and the preset used temperature range of the shape memorizing alloy body.

Abstract: This NMR metering endoscope apparatus is provided with an endoscope body and an NMR metering loop-like antenna. The endoscope body is provided with an elongate insertable part having an observing window and illuminating window in the tip part an observing system for observing an object by receiving a light coming from the object and entering through the observing window and an illuminating light outputting system emitting an illuminating light out of the illuminating window. The NMR metering antenna is fitted to the outer periphery including the tip surface of the insertable part of the endoscope body and can be connected to the NMR metering apparatus.

Abstract: The distal end of an insertion section of an endoscope is divided into a plurality of segments each including a pair of SMA coils which are arranged symmetrically with respect to an axis and memorize a close-winding shape. As the SMA coils recovers their memorized shape, the distal end of the insertion section is bent. The SMA coils are restored to the memorized shape when they are conductively heated by means of a current supply circuit. The current supply circuit comprises an input unit for inputting a target value of the bend angle for a leading segment, a sensor for detecting the distance of insertion of the insertion section, a detector circuit for detecting the bend angle of each segment, and means for controlling the amount of current supply so that the bend angle of the SMA coils agrees with a target angle. The inputted angle is set as the target angle for the leading segment, and the detected bend angle of each segment is set as the target angle for each succeeding segment.

Abstract: An endoscope disclosed herein is provided with an operating section and an insertion section having a bending section. Bending members, which are formed of a shape memorizable alloy and are for bending the bending section, are disposed within the bending section of the insertion section and are connected to a power supply unit. This endoscope further comprises a detecting unit for detecting the amount of deformation of the bending members as a change in electric resistance, and a display device for displaying the detected amount of deformation of the bending members. Accordingly, the bending amount of the bending section can accurately be detected and displayed.

Abstract: A lithotomic apparatus includes a probe for insertion into the body cavity. A distal tip is fixed to the distal end of the probe and has nozzles. Each nozzle has a rear end communicating with a feed passage defined in the probe and a front end opening to the distal end face of the distal tip. A high-pressure fluid supplied from a source is fed to the feed passage of the probe and pulsatively ejected from the nozzles toward a calculus in the body cavity by a drive mechanism.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a bending member having a shape memory alloy. A pair of heating current supplying wires and a pair of resistance detecting wires are connected at one end to the ends of the shape memory alloy. The other end of the heating current supplying wire is connected to a current supply circuit, and the other end of the resistance detecting wire is connected to a resistance detector. The resistance detector is constituted by a bridge circuit having a branch opened and the shape memory alloy is connected in the opened branch via the resistance detecting wires. A controller controls the current supply circuit according to the detected resistance. The current supply is effected by supplying a current pulse, and the amount of heating current and the bending degree can be controlled by controlling the pulse width of the current pulse.

Abstract: An endoscope has a flexible insertion portion having distal and proximal end portions. Elastic actuators for bending the insertion section are mounted in the insertion section. Each elastic actuator has an inner space and is longitudinally expanded/contracted when a fluid is supplied to/discharged from the inner space. A converting unit is provided in the insertion section and converts an expanding/contracting motion of the elastic actuator into a bending motion of the insertion section. The elastic actuator is connected to a control unit for controlling the fluid in the inner space of the elastic actuator.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion section, which is inserted into a body cavity of a human subject, and image transmitting means, which is located within the insertion section and is composed a plurality of lenses. A highly-viscous gel-like substance free from any water moisture is used to fill the space between adjacent associated lenses, or else is employed as a light transmitting means for conducting light, supplied from a light source, from that distal end portion onto a body cavity of the human subject.

Abstract: An oviduct-closing apparatus includes a body having a clamping portion. The clamping portion is prepared from a shape memory alloy. The clamping portion deforms into an open state engageable with an oviduct or a closed state capable of clamping the oviduct, in accordance with temperature change.

Abstract: A medical tube is used in an insertion portion of an endoscope and is inserted in a body cavity. The medical tube includes an outer tube having a front section, and a drive member arranged at the front section of the outer tube and having an elongated shape memory alloy adapted to have a transformation temperature such that a memorized shape is restored at the temperature higher than a temperature of heat applied to the shape memory alloy during sterilization of the medical tube.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an operating section and an insertion section extending from the operating section. The insertion section has a flexible tube formed of a flexible synthetic resin and having a plurality of insertion channels extending in the axial direction of the flexible tube. A rigid member is attached to the distal end of the tube. The rigid member has through holes communicating with the channels, respectively. An objective optical system is arranged in one of the through holes. An image guide fiber is passed through one of the insertion channels, and its distal end portion is inserted fixedly in the through hole and optically connected to the objective optical system.

Abstract: A medical tube used as an insertion section of a catheter for angiography or of an endoscope. The medical tube has a flexible tube, and an elastic member embedded in the peripheral wall of the tube, for keeping the tube straight. The elastic member is formed of a high-elastic alloy whose transformation temperature at which the alloy transforms in phase from the martensite structure to the austenite structure is set at a temperature lower than that at which the medical tube is used. When the medical tube used as the insertion section of a catheter or endoscope is inserted into a living body, it is prevented from being buckled, or bent easily at the same portion after a long use. The durability of the insertion section is therefore improved, and organs in the living body are in no way damaged when the insertion section is inserted.

Abstract: An ultrasonic endoscope according to the present invention comprises an insertion portion having a hard distal end portion. A first holding member is provided to the hard distal end portion, and an ultrasonic vibrator is mounted on the first holding member. A second holding member, detachably mounted with respect to the first holding member, is provided at the hard distal end portion, and an observation optical system is mounted on the second holding member. The second holding member is fixed to the first holding member by a fixing means. In the ultrasonic endoscope with the above arrangement, the first holder for holding the ultrasonic vibrator can be separated from the second holder for holding the observation optical system.

Abstract: An endoscopic apparatus includes an insertion section extending from an operating section and having a channel extending from the operating section to the distal end of the insertion section. The insertion section is adapted to be bent in a predetermined direction. A sheath is removably inserted into the channel and has a bendable portion located in the distal end portion of the insertion section. The bendable portion is remotely bent by an operating mechanism from the operating section to bend the distal end portion of the insertion section. The sheath is positioned in the insertion channel by a positioning mechanism so that the bendable portion is bent in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: An endoscope forceps stopcock has a cylindrical body. The body has a lower engagement section detachably fitted to an insertion mouthpiece of an endoscope, and an upper engagement section to which a cap is detachably fitted. The body and cap are connected to each other by a coupling member. A valve section is formed in the body between the engagement sections to close an insertion channel and provided with a pushing section and an insertion section allowing for the insertion of medical operation instruments. The pushing section presses the cap in accordance with the extent of the deformation of the valve section when the pressure in the insertion channel is increased, thereby holding the cap in cooperation with the upper engagement section.

Abstract: An endoscope forceps stopcock has a cylindrical body. The body has a lower engagement section detachably fitted to an insertion mouthpiece of an endoscope, and an upper engagement section to which a cap is detachably fitted. The body and cap are connected to each other by a coupling member. A valve section is formed in the body between the engagement sections to close an insertion channel and provided with a pushing section and an insertion section allowing for the insertion of medical operation instruments. The pushing section presses the cap in accordance with the extent of the deformation of the valve section when the pressure in the insertion channel is increased, thereby holding the cap in cooperation with the upper engagement section.

Abstract: A connecting device includes a cylindrical body to both ends of which are connected an endoscope and a television camera and from which a light guide provided with an eyepiece section at its one end for connecting a steal camera is extended. In the cylindrical body is provided a support in which first and second prisms having different light splitting ratios are movably provided to selectively face the other end of the light guide.

Abstract: A connecting device for optically and mechanically connecting an eyepiece section of an endoscope and a light receiving section of a television camera so that the optical axes of these sections are in alignment comprises a cylindrical housing having one end connectable to the eyepiece section and the other end connectable to the light receiving section, a prism located between the eyepiece section and the light receiving section, and having a first optical axis in alignment with the optical axis extending from the eyepiece section to the light receiving section, and a second optical axis at right angles to the first optical axis, a holder in the housing for supporting the prism so as to be able to rock relative to the housing around the first optical axis, a finder extension tube for the connecting device connected to the holder so as to be rockable therewith and extending outward from the peripheral surface of the housing along the second optical axis for observation of an endoscopic picture, and a click mec

Abstract: An endoscope having a forceps raiser for raising up a treatment instrument, i.e., forceps, which is composed of a shape memory alloy plate varying in shape in accordance with temperature. A power source is connected to the shape memory alloy plate to supply a current to the shape memory alloy plate, thereby heating the shape memory alloy plate, and the shape memory alloy plate, i.e., the forceps raiser is varied in shape to raise the forceps.