Abstract: Using an endoscope system, a surgeon A holds an endoscope with a TV camera (hereinafter, an endoscope) and a therapeutic appliance such as forceps and carries out a surgical procedure while viewing a first monitor. A surgeon B holds a therapeutic appliance such as forceps and carries out the surgical procedure while viewing a second monitor. A video signal sent from the TV camera of the endoscope is fed to and processed by an image processing apparatus, and displayed on each of the first and second monitors. The image processing apparatus transfers the video signal sent from the endoscope to each of an image inverting circuit and a selector switch. The image inverting circuit inverts an image (laterally (to produce a mirror image), vertically, or vertically and laterally (180°)), and supplies a processed video signal to the selector switch.

Abstract: A medical system control apparatus including a plurality of pieces of medical equipment having respective identification numbers thereof individually, and having display portions on which setting conditions or operating conditions are displayed and operating portions for modifying the setting conditions or the operating conditions which are displayed on the display portions, a centralized controller for controlling the plurality of pieces of medical equipment, a centralized display device connected to the controller and provided with a display portion which displays the display contents of the plurality of pieces of medical equipment, a centralized operation device connected to the controller for controlling the setting conditions or the operating conditions which are displayed on the display portions of the plurality of pieces of medical equipment, and a communication device for enabling the plurality of pieces of medical equipment, the centralized display device and the centralized operation device and the

Abstract: A multi-degree-of-freedom manipulator includes a flexible tube having a plurality of flex portions provided therealong, a plurality of actuators made of shape memory alloy and respectively provided near the flex portions to correspond to the flex portions, for flexing the flex portions, two common energy transmission paths, extending along the flexible tube, for transmitting an energy to the actuators, and selective energy supply members, provided between the common energy transmission paths and the actuators in series, for controlling the energy supplied from the common energy transmission path to the actuators, thereby respectively independently driving the actuators to bend the flexible tube.

Abstract: A multi-degree-of-freedom manipulator includes a flexible tube having a plurality of flex portions provided therealong, a plurality of actuators made of shape memory alloy and respectively provided near the flex portions to correspond to the flex portions, for flexing the flex portions, two common energy transmission paths, extending along the flexible tube, for transmitting an energy to the actuators, and selective energy supply members, provided between the common energy transmission paths and the actuators in series, for controlling the energy supplied from the common energy transmission path to the actuators, thereby respectively independently driving the actuators to bend the flexible tube.

Abstract: A treating instrument for medical treatment, comprises an insertion section to be inserted into a body cavity of a patient, biopsying forceps provided at a distal end of the insertion section, a pair of cups provided at the forceps, a grip member connected to an operator-end side of the insertion section; a drive unit provided on the distal end of the insertion section and generating a drive force for the cups, a conduction circuit for carrying electric current through the drive unit, and an operation switch interposed at lead wires of the conduction circuit.