Abstract: An endoscopic instrument has a portion having an outer surface with a non-circular cross-sectional shape. The non-circular cross-sectional shape may be provided to the instrument by providing peripheral projections or fins along the length of the portion or by providing the periphery of the portion with a polygonal shape. Where fins are used, the fins are preferably quite small and only have a minimal effect on the fluid flow cross sectional area between the interior of the working channel and the endoscopic instrument. The resulting instrument has significantly reduced backlash while maintaining adequate fluid flow in the working channel. According to a second embodiment of the invention, a portion of the interior of the working channel of the endoscope has an interior surface having a non-circular cross sectional shape by the inclusion of a plurality of radially spaced and inwardly directed ribs or by being polygonally shaped.

Abstract: An endoscope assembly is disclosed having a housing adapted to be manipulated by medical personnel, such as a surgeon. An elongated lens tube has one end secured to the housing while the free end of the lens tube is adapted for insertion into a cavity of a body. At least one, and preferably several, lens assemblies are longitudinally slidably mounted within the lens tube and movable between longitudinally spaced positions within the lens tube. A drive mechanism is mounted to the housing and mechanically coupled to each lens assembly to move the lens assemblies longitudinally within the lens tube independently of one another. In doing so, the lens assemblies provide varying degrees of magnification between low or macroscopic magnification and microscopic magnification at the free end of the lens tube. A stage is also detachably secured over the lens tube and has a transparent window across its end adjacent the free end of the lens tube.

Abstract: An insertion instrument for an endoscope is disclosed which comprises, a hard end portion formed at least an illuminating means having an illumination lens provided in a lens barrel and light guide, and an observing means at least an objective optical system disposed within an objective lens barrel, the hard end portion being divided into a holding member and a cover member detachably fitted to said holding member, concave shaped recesses provided therebetween for inserting at least the illuminating lens barrel and the objective lens barrel from outer periphery of the holding member inwardly in the radial direction, wherein said recesses have a arc shaped portions to substantially coincide with outer diameters of the illuminating lens barrel and said objective lens barrel, and detachable positioning means provided for positioning the illuminating lens barrel and the objective lens barrel in the recesses in the axial direction.

Abstract: An endoscope with an objective lens drive mechanism for an objective lens system. The insertion instrument of the endoscope is provided with an angle section on the proximal side of the rigid tip end section for flexibly bending at least in upward and downward directions. Provided on an end face of a casing of a rigid tip end section of the insertion instrument are at least a illumination window, an observation window and an exit opening of a biopsy channel. An objective lens system includes a fixed lens mounted on a fixed lens frame, and at least a movable lens mounted on a movable lens frame. For rationally laying out internal components, the interior of the casing of the rigid tip end section is divided into right and left subsections along a center line of upward and downward flexures of the angle section. The observation window is located across the center line of upward and downward flexures to occupy part of both of the right and left subsections.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held endoscopic camera having all of the necessary components for performing endoscopic procedures comprises power source means, lens means, light source means, and video camera means. The portable endoscopic camera is adaptable to a wide variety of systems and includes a low wattage light source means. The camera is self-contained. A kit is also provided, the kit having all of the components necessary for performing endoscopic procedures.

Abstract: A variable-view arthroscope or like instrument (endoscope, etc.) includes an elongated housing tube extending from an outer control end to an inner image input end that is closed by an input lens; the input lens preferably is a diverging lens. In the form shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, the input lens has a concave inner surface and a concave outer surface. A lighting apparatus illuminates a surgical working area beyond the image end of the housing tube; the illumination may be projected outwardly through the input lens. A movable mirror intercepts light reflected from the surgical working area to produce a working image that is reflected to a fixed mirror that in turn reflects the working image to impinge upon the input end of a relay lens assembly. The working image is transmitted to a receptor, which is located near the outer (control) end of the housing tube. The relay lens applies the image to an image device, such as a conventional CCD unit, that transmits the image to a location exterior to the scope.

Abstract: Methods and systems for stability of a human breast during biopsy and surgical procedures are disclosed. An outward lesion is applied to external surface regions of the breast to facilitate and increase the accuracy of access to lesions and other target sites.

Abstract: An endoscope has an outer tube that is joined to an optical head having an observation element at its end, which elements are sealingly fitted forming a first module element. An inner tube sealingly fitted together with a housing containing optical elements form a second module element having the optical components hermetically closed. The second module element is disposed in the first module element having its distal ends rigidly and sealingly fitted together. The housing of the second module elements extends into said optical head of that first module element and is supported therein allowing relative movement between housing and optical head when thermally stressed.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope includes a solid imaging device with a rectangular effective imaging plane built into the tip of an inserting portion; and an endoscope channel through which endoscope fixing pieces are inserted; wherein the opening of the endoscope channel is positioned to the long side of the effective imaging plane of the solid imaging device at the tip of the inserting portion.

Abstract: An endoscope with an objective lens drive mechanism for an objective lens system which is mounted within a rigid tip end section of an insertion instrument of the endoscope. The objective lens system includes a fixed lens which is mounted on a fixed lens frame, and at least one movable lens which is mounted on a movable lens frame. The movable lens frame is slidable along guide surfaces which are provided on the inner periphery of the fixed lens frame in the direction of optical axis of the lens system. A nut portion, which is projected from the movable lens frame substantially in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, is held in threaded engagement with a screw rod member which is rotatably supported on a bearing member which is in turn supported on the fixed lens frame. The screw rod member is rotatable but blocked against movements in the axial direction. Further, the screw rod is connected with a flexible transmission shaft which is sheathed in a sleeve to transmit rotation to the screw rod.

Abstract: A fully-swallowable endoscopic system includes a rod-shaped endoscope body which can be swallowed entirely by a patient to be examined so as to be placed in a body cavity, the rod-shaped endoscope body including two bendable portions having different lengths which are respectively provided close to the opposite ends of the rod-shaped endoscope body; and an external device provided separately from the rod-shaped endoscope body having no mechanical connection with the rod-shaped endoscope body. The rod-shaped endoscope body is provided therein with at least one light emitter, at least one observing system, a transmitter for transmitting a radio wave which carries an image formed by the observing system, and a power supplying device. The external device includes a receiver for receiving the radio wave which carries the image.

Abstract: A fully-swallowable endoscopic system includes a rod-shaped endoscope body which can be swallowed entirely by a patient and placed in a body cavity; and a separate external device having no mechanical connection with the rod-shaped endoscope body. The rod-shaped endoscope body includes at least one hard portion each having at least one light emitter and at least one observing system; at least one flexible portion; and at least two bending portions, the at least two bending portions being respectively positioned on the opposite ends of at least one of the at least one flexible portion and being more flexible than the at least one flexible portion. The rod-shaped endoscope body is provided therein with a transmitter for transmitting a radio wave which carries an image formed by the observing system, and a power supplying device. The external device includes a receiver for receiving the radio wave which carries the image.

Abstract: A biopsy site marker comprises small bodies or pellets of gelatin which enclose substantially in their interior a radio (X-ray) opaque object. The gelatin pellets are deposited into the biopsy site, typically a cylindrical opening in the tissue created by the recent use of a vacuum assisted large core biopsy device, by an applicator device that includes an elongated cylindrical body that forms a flexible tube and a piston slidable in the tube. One end of the tube is placed into the biopsy site. Typically, several gelatin pellets, only some of which typically do, but all of which may contain the radio opaque object, are deposited sequentially into the site through the tube. The radio opaque objects contained in the gelatin bodies are of a non-biological configuration and readily identifiable as man -made object, so that in observation by typical mammography equipment they do not assume the shape of a line, whereby they are readily distinguishable from granules and lines of calcification.

Abstract: A dental/medical instrument is provided for use in diagnostic and related patient inspection/examination. The device includes a body having an integral speculum with a video image capture device or camera, a power supply and a video display. These components, in addition to user actuatable controls, are disposed integrally with the body. The body is adapted for convenient engagement and manipulation by a user's hand to provide a unitary, hand-held device capable of illuminating and capturing an image of a patient, and displaying the image. The video display is disposed on a display portion of the speculum, while components of the image capture device, such as a lens and light emitter, are disposed on a nose portion of the speculum. The nose portion is modularly replaceable with alternate nose portions sized and shaped to facilitate various discrete medical/dental examination procedures.

Abstract: A dental/medical instrument is provided for use in diagnostic and related patient inspection/examination. The device includes a body having an integral speculum with a video image capture device or camera, a power supply and a video display. These components, in addition to user actuatable controls, are disposed integrally with the body. The body is adapted for convenient engagement and manipulation by a user's hand to provide a unitary, hand-held device capable of illuminating and capturing an image of a patient, and displaying the image. The video display is disposed on a display portion of the speculum, while components of the image capture device, such as a lens and light emitter, are disposed on a nose portion of the speculum. The nose portion is modularly replaceable with alternate nose portions sized and shaped to facilitate various discrete medical/dental examination procedures.

Abstract: The endoscope comprises a flexible insertion member with different hardness for bending in a predetermined area of longitudinal direction thereof. This insertion member includes a flexible tube having resin sheathing layer on the outside and slender inner parts passing through the flexible tube. An amount of change in hardness level for bending of the inner parts in a longitudinal direction is designed larger than an amount of change in hardness level for bending of the sheathing layer of the flexible tube in a longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A biopsy site marker comprises small bodies or pellets of gelatin which enclose substantially in their interior a radio (X-ray) opaque object. The gelatin pellets are deposited into the biopsy site, typically a cylindrical opening in the tissue created by the recent use of a vacuum assisted large core biopsy device, by an applicator device that includes an elongated cylindrical body that forms a flexible tube and a piston slidable in the tube. One end of the tube is placed into the biopsy site. Typically, several gelatin pellets, only some of which typically do, but all of which may contain the radio opaque object, are deposited sequentially into the site through the tube. The radio opaque objects contained in the gelatin bodies are of a non-biological configuration and readily identifiable as man-made object, so that in observation by typical mammography equipment they do not assume the shape of a line, whereby they are readily distinguishable from granules and lines of calcification.

Abstract: An endoscope comprises a plurality of members constituting the endoscope, and parts-bonded sections each having at least members thereof bonded together using an adhesive. The temperatures of thermal destruction at which the adhesives included in the parts-bonded sections are thermally destroyed are made equal to or higher than the maximum temperature attained during a high-pressure steam sterilization process. At the same time, the temperatures of thermal destruction are made equal to or lower than the heat-resistance temperatures above which members bonded using the adhesives or members located near the bonded members included in the parts-bonded sections fail to resist heat.

Abstract: An endoscope has a removable suction tube to facilitate cleaning and reduce the risk of patient infection. The endoscope includes an elongated flexible probe with a slot extending along its length and an opening on the distal end of the probe. The housing at the proximal end of the probe is used to control the direction and operation of the probe, and for viewing images from the distal end of the probe. The suction tube can be removably inserted into the slot on the probe. Optionally, the distal tip of the probe can be equipped with a connector within the slot that removably secures the distal opening of the suction tube in communication with a suction opening on the distal tip of the probe. A suction tube connector at the proximal end of the suction tube allows the suction tube to be removably secured to the housing and also provides a connector for removable attachment to an external suction line.

Abstract: An endoscope has elongated built-in components, which include a spiral tube, a braid, angulation wires, and angulation coils, passed through an sheathing of a flexible tube that is an integral part of a soft insertion member. Conditions are determined so that the sum total of strengths of forces the built-in components exert in correcting their deformation of bend that is derived from sterilization with high-temperature high-pressure steam will be larger than the strength of force the sheathing exerts in deforming to bend during the high-temperature high-pressure steam sterilization. Thus, deformation of bend derived from sterilization with high-temperature high-pressure steam is suppressed.

Abstract: An endoscope where problems due to a difference of deformation amount in the longitudinal direction generated between the flexible tube and the integrated object during autoclave sterilization are prevented, wherein the insertion part is comprised of a hard tip part and a flexible tube which is linked to the base of the hard tip part via a curving part, the tip of a treatment instrument tube is secured to a metal pipe disposed in a through hole of the hard tip part, the base part is secured to a branch pipe, and the treatment instrument tube has a shrinkage factor x having a characteristic x<1, that is, shrinking after a predetermined thermal load is applied, whereas the flexible tube 15 has shrinkage a factor y having a characteristic y<1, that is, shrinking after a predetermined thermal load is applied, in other words, the deforming directions of the flexible tube and the treatment instrument tube are set to the same direction with respect to the longitudinal direction, so that the flexible tube and t

Abstract: An endoscope characterized by a soft section thereof through which built-in components lie has a flexible tube and pluralities of metallic built-in components and nonmetallic built-in components. The flexible tube is made by sheathing a metallic tubular member with a nonmetallic tubular member. The pluralities of metallic built-in components and nonmetallic built-in components lie through the flexible tube. As one property of the flexible tube, the hardness of at least a certain portion of the flexible tube, which discourages bending, is determined so that the hardness exhibited by the metallic tubular member that is an integral part of the flexible tube and the metallic built-in components will be higher than the hardness exhibited by the nonmetallic tubular member that is an integral part of the flexible tube and the nonmetallic built-in components.

Abstract: An endoscope has an outer shaft, in which an optical channel receiving an optical system is arranged, wherein in the outer shaft, further, a channel for receiving a working element, at least one supply channel extending longitudinally for a medium and at least one discharge channel extending longitudinally for the discharge of a medium, the discharge being separated from the supply, are arranged. The optical channel and the at least one supply channel and/or the at least one discharge channel are configured as chambers of a profiled shaft, which is chambered in its cross section and received in the outer shaft.

Abstract: A radially non-deformable surgical access catheter with a central lumen surrounded by plural peripheral lumens, the lumens being rigidly connected to each other to provide axial stiffness for the catheter as well as rotational stiffness for the catheter so that the catheter may be rotated about its longitudinal axis to place the instruments in any of the peripheral lumens into operational proximity to preselected tissue. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a system for imaging the human airway having highly advantageous optical, mechanical, ergonomical and physical characteristics. In a specific embodiment, the human airway can be imaged during the intubation procedure. The subject imaging scopes can incorporate a malleable stylet which retains its shape when bent, in order to facilitate intubation of a patient. In a preferred embodiment, a solid metal stylet, for example, a conventional endotracheal tube stylet, can be utilized. In a specific embodiment the subject intubation scope allows for a user to utilize conventional techniques for the insertion of an endotracheal tube, reducing the training needed for use of the subject intubation scope. Preferably, the subject imaging scopes also incorporate at least one illumination fiber to convey light to the distal tip of the subject imaging scopes, for illumination of the objects to be imaged.

Abstract: The present invention is an imaging element assembly unit in which it can easily be promoted to make the diameter of the tip portion of an endoscope thinner by changing the configuration of a circuit board in relation to an image element. In this assembly unit, an imaging element body formed while holding a lead portion between an electrode of a CCD and a cover glass is produced, for example, on the TAB system, and this imaging element body is connected to a circuit board having a storing groove. Then, the width in the electrode arranging direction of this circuit board is formed shorter than the width in the electrode arranging direction of the CCD, and at a position where both ends of this circuit board retreat from both ends of the CCD, these are connected by a lead portion. By doing so, the diameter of the tip portion can be made thinner since the sides of both ends of the circuit board arranged on the side of the inside peripheral surface of a tip portion holding barrel retreat inside.

Abstract: A rigid endoscope includes a jacket tube with an optical system and, parallel to the optical axis of the optical system, a first glass fiber bundle which emits a beam to illuminate an object to be examined. A second optical illumination system is directed at the object being examined. The second light exit of the second optical illumination system is recessed from the first light exit of the optical system by a distance greater than a diameter of the jacket tube. The light exit axis at the second light exit of the second optical illumination system is offset laterally relative to the image axis at the distal end of the optical system by an amount such that because of the resultant parallax and the shadow formation and unequal light distribution thus attained, the vividness of the image impression for three dimensional objects is increased.

Abstract: A biopsy site marker comprises small bodies or pellets of gelatin which enclose substantially in their interior a radio (X-ray) opaque object. The gelatin pellets are deposited into the biopsy site, typically a cylindrical opening in the tissue created by the recent use of a vacuum assisted large core biopsy device, by an applicator device that includes an elongated cylindrical body that forms a flexible tube and a piston slidable in the tube. One end of the tube is placed into the biopsy site. Typically, several gelatin pellets, only some of which typically do, but all of which may contain the radio opaque object, are deposited sequentially into the site through the tube. The radio opaque objects contained in the gelatin bodies are of a non-biological configuration and readily identifiable as man-made object, so that in observation by typical mammography equipment they do not assume the shape of a line, whereby they are readily distinguishable from granules and lines of calcification.

Abstract: A haptic interface for a remote manipulator uses a tunable spring to provide force reflection. The remote manipulator has an operating member coupled to the tunable spring. The operating member is also coupled to a manipulator member. A controller monitors the force with which an operator so moves the operating member and varies a spring constant of the tunable spring to keep the force exerted by the manipulator member on an object at a desired level. The haptic interface allows simultaneous control over the maximum force exerted by the manipulator member as well as the transmission ratio between the operating member and the manipulator member. The remote manipulator may be a surgical grasper, for example. A tunable spring can be smaller and lighter than the high torque actuators used in some prior remote manipulators which provide force feedback.

Abstract: At the tip of an insertion part of an endoscope, an object window for regular observation use is positioned at almost the center, directly connected to which, said object window for fluorescent observation use is provided, and at the both sides of the object window for regular observation use and the object window for fluorescent observation use, two illumination windows are provided. A forceps hole which is an opening part at the tip side of a forceps channel which is inserted into the insertion part is provided at the lower right of the object window for regular observation use, and a treatment tool which is inserted through a forceps insertion channel is to be extruded from this forceps hole. By this way, on monitor images at both of white light observation and fluorescent observation, the treatment tool such as a forceps or the like is designated at almost the same position to improve the manipulation capability.

Abstract: An illumination system for endoscopes has a light guide bundle constructed and arranged to illuminate an object to be observed. The light guide bundle is extended in an axial direction of the endoscope and branched into a plurality of branch portions in a frame which is adapted to be disposed inside of the endoscope. Each of the branch portions have a crescent-shaped cross-section at a mid-portion along the axial direction of the endoscope and each of the branch portions have at least one bent portion in which a protective glass plate is disposed on each exit surface of the branch portions. An endoscope system includes the above illumination system.

Abstract: The present invention includes a dental/medical instrument for use in diagnostic and related patient inspection/examination. The device includes a body including an integral speculum with a video image capture device or camera, a power supply and a video display. These components, in addition to user actuatable controls, are disposed integrally with the body. The body is adapted for convenient engagement and manipulation by a user's hand to provide a unitary, hand-held device capable of illuminating and capturing an image of a patient, and displaying the image.

Abstract: In a medical simulator system, a physical model such as a medical phantom is no longer required so as to execute a simulated medical treatment.

Abstract: Surgical devices with removable imaging capability and methods are disclosed. The imaging capability for the surgical devices are provided by a very small microendoscope having processor circuitry at the distal end for providing a video ready signal to a monitor. Because of the small size of the microendoscope, it can be used in conjunction with many surgical instruments which traditionally do not have integral imaging capability. In one application, the microendoscope may be used with Jackson grasping forceps. In another application, the microendoscope may be used with either a stent placement catheter or balloon catheter. In yet another application, the microendoscope may be used with an over-tube tissue separating, dissecting or fulgeration device.

Abstract: A stemmed endoscopic instrument has a distal operational tool, a proximal drive unit and a stem containing a force transmitting element extending through and displaceably received in the stem. A distal end of the force transmitting element acts on the operational tool and a proximal end engages the drive unit so that the force transmitting element drives the operational tool when the drive unit is actuated. An overload protection device limiting the traction force transmissible from the drive unit to the tool has a coupling with two mutually detachably connected coupling elements, the coupling being adjusted so that when a defined tension or force threshold is exceeded, the coupling elements separate from each other and force transmission is interrupted.

Abstract: A miniaturized endoscope is formed by passing light in both directions down the endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes a handle assembly and an outer tube having a distal end and a proximal end, the latter being fixed to the handle assembly. The outer tube is provided with a groove in an outermost surface of the outer tube and extending lengthwise of the outer tube. The apparatus further includes an irrigation tube for disposal in the groove for conducting fluid in a direction from the proximal end to the distal end.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument for aspiration, irrigation, and blowing gas adjacent a surgical site is provided. The instrument includes a handle portion and a cannula member extending distally from the handle portion. First and second connection ports are supported by the handle and are in fluid communication with the cannula member. An insertion port is also supported by the handle portion and is preferably axially aligned with the cannula member. A blow tube is removably positioned within the cannula member via the insertion port. The first and second connection ports are adapted to communicate with a source of irrigation fluid and a vacuum source and the blow tube is adapted to be connected to a source of pressurized gas such that irrigation fluid, aspiration, and/or pressurized gas can be selectively provided via the cannula member at the surgical site.

Abstract: An anti-fogging lens device, having a plural number of optical glass lens elements mounted within a lens barrel, including a first lens element located in a foremost position on the side of a subject and a second lens element located behind and at a space from the first lens element. A spacer ring is fitted in the lens barrel to set apart the first and second lens elements by a gap space of a predetermined width. The spacer ring is formed of a material having higher thermal conductivity than the lens elements and, on the inner peripheral side thereof, provided with a moisture depositing surface which is formed in a non-flat shape to increase its surface area. The lens barrel is fitted in a cylindrical member, and a seal pocket, to be packed with a seal material, is formed between the lens barrel and the cylindrical member to stop clearances between these two members with a secure hermetical seal.

Abstract: An endoscope has an elongated sheath that follows a curved path. The sheath houses a plurality of relay lens sets designed to have a maximum usable field of view that is greater than the size of an image to be produced. Discrete lens elements within the image transfer guide allow the image to offset to the edges of the maximum usable field of view thereby to allow the axes through the individual sets to progressively shift in angle to form the curved path.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held endoscopic camera having all of the necessary components for performing endoscopic procedures comprises power source means, lens means, light source means, and video camera means. The portable endoscopic camera is adaptable to a wide variety of systems and includes a highly efficient means for focusing the illumination of the light source. The lens means includes a fiber bundle and the light source means includes a bulb. The bulb is positioned in an abutting relationship with the fiber bundle, thereby focusing light into the fiber bundle. The camera is selectively operable in a cordless and cord-operated mode.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus has a printed-circuit board electrically connected to a solid-state imaging device, and a composite cable electrically connected to said printed-circuit board and made by bundling up a plurality of cables including at least one of plain cables and coaxial cables. An aligner for aligning the plurality of cables contained in the composite cable in a desired form is attached to the distal part of the composite cable. The distal side of the composite cable with the aligner attached to the distal part thereof is opposed to a plane of the printed-circuit board having electrodes. The conductors of the cables of the composite cable and the electrodes on the printed-circuit board are mutually connected all at once directly or indirectly via conducting patterns exposed on the distal side of the aligner. The work of connecting the cables of the composite cable to the electrodes on the printed-circuit board becomes simpler, and a rigid section becomes shorter.

Abstract: An endoscopic probe for viewing difficult to reach surfaces is provided. The system utilizes a pair of image transmission elements. The first image transmission element passes a low resolution, wide field of view image of the surface to be examined to one eyepiece. The second image transmission element passes a high resolution, narrow field of view image of a portion of the same surface to a second eyepiece. Thus the viewer receives low resolution, wide field of view information in one eye and high resolution, narrow field of view information in the other eye. The overlapped, low resolution information from the wide field-of-view scene is suppressed by the brain, thus resulting in the two images being combined. The combined image contains both the low resolution, wide field-of-view information and the high resolution, narrow field-of-view information. The endoscopic probe may contain one or more illumination sources in order to provide sufficient light intensity for the imaging system.

Abstract: An endoscopic apparatus comprising a solid-state image pickup device installed in an insert assembly, a signal transmission member for conducting the electric signal into which the solid-state image pickup device photoelectrically converts an optical image, and a flexible tube-like metal member that makes up part of the cover of the insert assembly and/or a flexible tube-like metal member that constitutes part of the universal cord, whereby the signal transmission member is inserted through the insert assembly member and the universal cord, the shield member that covers the signal transmission member is disposed at least in part of the insert assembly and/or part of the universal cord assembly, and the shield member and the metal members are set to be equipotential to each other.

Abstract: An assembled body of an electronic endoscope which is capable of reducing the diameter of the endoscope and simplifying the structure thereof. The assembled body comprises an imaging device provided with a color filter and a microlens on the imaging plane, and an objective optical member connected to the imaging device. A circuit board with a wiring pattern and a through hole formed thereon and therein is inserted and adhered between the imaging plane of the imaging device and a prism as a part of the objective optical member. The terminals on the imaging device are connected to the terminals on the circuit board by contact bonding. Since the through hole in the circuit board forms an air gap on the imaging plane, it is possible to protect the color filter and the microlens.

Abstract: Plural contents such as a light guide and a forceps tube, which are inserted into an insertion part of an endoscope, are connected with each other via an elastic member such as thin wall tubes, etc. at one or more positions in the insertion part. The elastic member changes its form with the dislocation of the contents in the longitudinal direction of the insertion part resulting from the bending of the insertion part. If the insertion part is straightened, the contents are restored to their original positions by the restitutive force of the elastic member.

Abstract: An improved endoscope prevents abrasion of a fiberoptic image guide with a braid reinforced sheath. Abrasion of fiberoptic image guides within articulating endoscopes quickly wear through a conventional fiberoptic mantle, decreasing the useful life of the endoscope. Preferably, the sheath comprises a metal braid disposed within a polyimide, which effectively protects the image guide from abrasion against the endoscope components and substantially extends useful life.

Abstract: A laparoscope is constructed with a plug-in module containing video processing circuitry and coupled through a flexible umbilical to a rigid or partly rigid insertion tube that contains a miniature video camera. A fiber optic bundle for illumination has a bifurcated proximal end with two portions each terminating in respective sleeves that project from the module. The sleeve projects from the module. The sleeves position the illumination bundle portions at the focussed spot of light produced by respective low-power metal halide discharge lamps. A rotary vane shutter is servo controlled to limit the amount of light entering the fiber optic bundle so that the monitor video picture is kept at a constant level. The metal sleeve for the fiber optic bundle ends serve as grounding elements, and are coupled by a grounding pigtail within the module to a ground conductor in the umbilical. A test opening with a threaded plug serves as a pressure test port.

Abstract: A tube is inserted into a second connecting member and the second connecting member is moved toward a joint ring along the tube. Then the second connecting member is housed in a housing space of the joint ring to secure a length L2 required for a connecting operation. Next, the first connecting member is pushed into the tube. Then the second connecting member is moved from the housing space along the tube so as to be coupled with the second connecting member. The tube is held between the first and the second connecting members. As a result, the length L2 of the space for connecting the pipe and the tube can be larger than the conventional length L1 by the length L3 by which the second connecting member is housed in the housing space.

Abstract: A hand-held diagnostic instrument includes a casing having a hand-holdable body portion and a neck portion that extends from the body portion to a head portion that is formed of a back cover and a front cover. A circuit board assembly in the body portion contains video processing circuitry, and a flexible neck board extends forward from the body portion through the neck portion of the casing to a head board located in the head portion of the casing. A solid state imager and a miniature lamp are disposed on the head board. The front cover contains an adjustable focus lens cell for focusing on the imager an image of a target in the lens cell's field of view. The instrument provides a monitor-ready standard format full color video signal.