Abstract: An imaging unit for endoscopes including optical elements for forming an optical image; an imaging device for photoelectrically converting the optical image; a hermetic seal member having at least said optical element and the imaging device incorporated therein; and an imaging device driver making it possible to arbitrarily adjust the position of the imaging device relative to the optical element from outside the hermetic seal member.

Abstract: An endoscope suitable for autoclave sterilization includes an insertion section having an objective lens section disposed at the extreme end thereof for focusing a subject image and an eyepiece section located on the base end side of the inserting section and including at least an eyepiece lens. an image guide fiber is disposed in the bundle for transmitting the subject image in an observation section focused by the objective lens section. An eyepiece lens unit is disposed in the eyepiece section, the eyepiece lens unit causing the eyepiece lens to confront the base end structure whose hermetic seal level is higher than the watertight seal level of the shell of the endoscope. A focus position changing means is disposed to the eyepiece lens unit to change the focus position of the eyepiece lens. The eyepiece section is so constructed and/or assembled that the autoclave sterilization process does not cause water vapor or the like to adversely affect the operability of the eyepiece section.

Abstract: An endoscope capable of being autoclaved in accordance with the present invention includes an insertion unit, an internal endoscope space, and contents. The insertion unit has a soft member, which is made of a soft polymeric material, as at least part of a casing thereof. The internal endoscope space includes the internal space of the insertion unit that is formed at a first sealing level at which the internal space is sealed in a watertight manner relative to an outside. The contents include at least one hermetically sealed unit composed of a plurality of airtight partition members and formed at a second sealing level higher than the first sealing level by joining the meeting portions of the airtight partition members using an airtight joining material. All or part of the airtight partition members is stowed in the internal endoscope space.

Abstract: An endoscope suitable for autoclave sterilization includes an insertion section having an objective lens section disposed at the extreme end thereof for focusing a subject image and an eyepiece section located on the base end side of the inserting section and including at least an eyepiece lens. an image guide fiber is disposed in the bundle for transmitting the subject image in an observation section focused by the objective lens section. An eyepiece lens unit is disposed in the eyepiece section, the eyepiece lens unit causing the eyepiece lens to confront the base end structure whose hermetic seal level is higher than the watertight seal level of the shell of the endoscope. A focus position changing means is disposed to the eyepiece lens unit to change the focus position of the eyepiece lens. The eyepiece section is so constructed and/or assembled that the autoclave sterilization process does not cause water vapor or the like to adversely affect the operability of the eyepiece section.

Abstract: A TV camera is attached to an eyepiece unit of an endoscope and includes a solid-state imaging device. A housing of the TV camera has an outer metallic sheathing. The outer metallic sheathing is hermetically coupled via an insulating material to a metallic housing frame of an electric connector which has contact pins connected to the solid-state imaging device and which is fixed hermetically using a hermetic seal. This structure defines a hermetically enclosed space which can withstand autoclaving. A shielding sheathing layer is formed inside an insulating layer within the hermetic space in order to shield an electric circuit including the solid-state imaging device and which is located inside the shielding sheathing layer. The shielding sheathing layer is designed to communicate with the housing metallic frame of the connector that is isolated and sheathed. This structure provides measures for solving problems concerning electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).

Abstract: An electric optical adapter unit that is freely detachably attached to a rigid endoscope has an optical system stowed in the center of a housing thereof. An electric circuit such as an automatic iris unit is stowed on the circumference of the optical system. Openings of a frame at both ends of the optical system are sealed hermetically with cover glasses so that the optical system can withstand autoclaving. Electric contact pins fixed in annular plug are hermetically sealed with glass hermetic seals in the back end surface of the frame. In a TV camera unit connected to the back end of the electric optical adapter unit, a CCD and the like are stowed in the center of an imaging optical system housing that is sealed hermetically. A receptacle structured to be watertight is mounted on the circumference of the imaging optical system housing. The receptacle can be freely detachably attached to the electric contact pins of the annular plug, whereby an electric signal can be transmitted.

Abstract: An endoscope system including a first hard endoscope which uses a relay lens as an image transmission optical system, a second hard endoscope which uses an image guide formed by a fiber bundle, and a TV camera which is mountable respectively on the first and second hard endoscopes and which is rotatable. The TV camera has built therein a CCD. An optical low-pass filter for removing moire even in case of being rotated is provided on an ocular part of the second hard endoscope.

Abstract: An electrical connector having an electrical plug (102) to be plugged into an electrical receptacle (130). The electrical plug (102) includes an electrically insulative plate-like substrate and a plurality of first electrical contacts (118) formed in parallel on at least a side surface at one end of the substrate for a predetermined length from the one end. The plug further includes a shielding part (126) formed of an electrical conductor which substantially shields all of the substrate in a position nearer an end other than the one end having the electrical contacts (118). The electrical receptacle includes an electrically insulative receiving member (138) forming at least part of a recess in which the substrate of the plug is inserted. A plurality of second electrical contacts (142) are arranged in the receiving member (138) so as to contact the plurality of contacts in the plug whenever the substrate of the plug is inserted into the recess.

Abstract: An actuator apparatus for driving a focus adjusting lens of a focus adjusting mechanism of an endoscope comprises a moving member put in slidable frictional engagement with a base of the endoscope, the moving member having coupling means for coupling with the movable portion within the endoscope, a piezoelectric element coupled to the moving member, the piezoelectric element and the moving member alone constituting a body of the actuator apparatus, and actuator control circuit for causing quick deformation in the piezoelectric element, enabling the piezoelectric element to apply an impulse force to the moving member, thereby moving the moving member against a frictional engagement force acting between the base and the moving member.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus comprising an electrical connector which is electrically connected to an electrical device such as a CCD in an organism inserting device such as an endoscope which has an inserting section inserted into a organism. The electrical connector is connected to an electrical connector receptacle such as a control unit after the organism inserting device has been disinfected and sterilized by disinfection liquid. Processing is first performed in which the liquid remaining in the vicinity of an electrical contact of the electrical connector is removed by a liquid removing mechanism and, thereafter, electrical operation occurs. Thus, generation of a short-circuiting accident is prevented.

Abstract: An endoscope capable of being autoclaved in accordance with the present invention includes an insertion unit, an internal endoscope space, and contents. The insertion unit has a soft member, which is made of a soft polymeric material, as at least part of a casing thereof. The internal endoscope space includes the internal space of the insertion unit that is formed at a first sealing level at which the internal space is sealed in a watertight manner relative to an outside. The contents include at least one hermetically sealed unit composed of a plurality of airtight partition members and formed at a second sealing level higher than the first sealing level by joining the meeting portions of the airtight partition members using an airtight joining material. All or part of the airtight partition members is stowed in the internal endoscope space.