Abstract: A connector assembly for an endoscope apparatus, which includes a plug removably insertable in a receptacle, is disclosed. The plug has a molded body incorporating a light cable and an electrical connector in a fixed spatial relationship within the molded body.

Abstract: When washing the electronic endoscope, a cleaning liquid that has flowed into a space between a shell of an electric connector and an external cylinder of a watertight cap does not reach a connector pin that resides inside the shell since an O-ring seals an internal cylinder of the watertight cap and the shell. The cleaning liquid is discharged to the outside of the watertight cap through discharge holes, which are formed between the external cylinder and the internal cylinder.

Abstract: An endoscope capable of improving assembly operativity and facilitating a repair operation is provided. This endoscope has an insertion section having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and inserted into a body cavity, an operation section arranged on a proximal end portion side of the insertion section, a universal cord extending from the operation section, and having a distal end portion, and a conduit extended in the insertion section, the operation section and the universal cord. This conduit has one end arranged on the distal end portion of the insertion section and having a first opening portion formed therein and the other end arranged on the connector and having a second opening portion formed therein, and separable on a portion between one end and the other end.

Abstract: A light source device 20 of an endoscope is provided with a light guide connector 24 for inserting a light guide plug 15. A ball lens 30 (light intensity distribution transforming element) is received in an end portion on a condenser lens 23 side of the light guide connector 24. The ball lens 30 transforms the intensity distribution of a converging flux of light coming from the condenser lens 23 such that the intensity distribution is lowered at the central area and raised at the peripheral area. A ball lens 31 (light arresting element) is received in an end portion of the light guide plug 15. The ball lens 31 arrests the light coming from the ball lens 30 and makes incidence of such arrested light to an incident end face of the light guide 16. Owing to this feature, the inserting operation of the light guide plug can be performed with ease and without a need of strict accuracy.

Abstract: An adaptable, portable hand-held fiber optic camera for producing video images of an object having all of the necessary components for performing fiber optic procedures comprises a power source, a lens system, a light source, and a video camera assembly. The portable fiber optic camera is adaptable to a wide variety of lens systems. The lens system is electrically, removably coupled to the video camera assembly and the light source.

Abstract: An endoscope device includes an inserting portion having a curving portion, electric motors for generating driving forces for curving the curving portion, an operation unit for controlling the drive of the electric motors, a universal cord the base end of which is connected to an endoscope external unit, a coupling member with which the respective one ends of the inserting portion and the universal cord are coupled and which has a treatment tool inserting port, a holding unit for holding the coupling member, and a holding member for disposing the holding unit at a predetermined position of an operation bed. According to this arrangement, the operability of a surgeon can be improved by improving not only a curving operability but also the insertion operability of an inserting portion and the operability of a treatment tool.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope in accordance with the present invention consists broadly of an operation unit, an elongated insertion unit, and a universal cord. The operation unit has a treatment appliance insertion port and various operation switches and fills the role of a hand-held unit. The insertion unit extends from the lower end of the operation unit in a direction substantially corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the operation unit. The universal cord extends in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the operation unit at an acute angle, and accommodates at least a signal cable extending from the top of the operation unit.

Abstract: A self-retaining endoscope includes an observation base portion which can be inserted into a body cavity through a mouth of a patient to be examined and which is provided with an objective optical system and an illumination window, and a flexible catheter portion which is provided with an image transmission system for transmitting an image formed by the objective optical system and a light transmission system for causing the illumination window to emit illumination light and which can be inserted into the body through a nasal cavity of the patient. The catheter portion is connected to the observation base portion. An external device is detachably attached to a distal end of the catheter portion and has a monitor portion adapted to view the image through the image transmission system and a lighting device which provides light energy to the light transmission system.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes an endoscope, two control apparatuses, electric cables, and two electric connector receptacles. The endoscope has a connector unit, which includes a light source connector to be coupled to a light source apparatus, fixed to the proximal end of a universal cord extending from an operation unit. The two control apparatuses electrically control the endoscope. The electric cables electrically link the control apparatuses and the endoscope. The two electric connector receptacles are included in the connector unit of the endoscope. Connectors attached to the electric cables are coupled to the two electric connector receptacles. When the connector of one of the electric cables is mounted on a first electric connector receptacle of the two electric connector receptacles, the direction in which the connector is oriented to be mounted is orthogonal to the direction in which the light source connector is oriented to be coupled to the light source apparatus.

Abstract: A method of conducting endoscopic surgeries places the camera outside the sterile field, freeing the physicians hands and eliminating costs and inconveniences associated with sterilizing the camera between surgeries. Images may be relayed to the camera by means of a fiber optic cable. Cost issues associated with the long fiber optic cable are avoided by breaking it into two segments, only one of which is likely to be damaged during use. An image preserving connection is formed between the cable segments by a connector that fixes the ends of the cables in close proximity to one another, but a certain fixed distance apart. An image preserving connection is made between two fiber optic cables without the aide of a lens.

Abstract: A source coil line-break/short-circuit detecting circuit and a probe connection detecting circuit are provided to the source coil driving circuit unit of an endoscope shape detecting apparatus. The source coil line-break/short-circuit detecting circuit detects line-breaks and short-circuits of the source coils. The probe connection detecting circuit detects whether a connection exists with a probe. A marker coil line-break/short-circuit detecting circuit detects line-breaks and short-circuits of the marker coils. A marker connection detecting circuit detects whether a connection exists with a marker. Accordingly, using the apparatus without being connected to a probe or markers can be avoided by detecting the connection of the probe and markers by the probe connection detecting circuit and marker connection detecting circuit, respectively, when the system is energized, thereby avoiding detecting noise and consequently displaying a random image on the monitor.

Abstract: An endoscope device includes an inserting portion having a curving portion, electric motors for generating driving forces for curving the curving portion, an operation unit for controlling the drive of the electric motors, a universal cord the base end of which is connected to an endoscope external unit, a coupling member with which the respective one ends of the inserting portion and the universal cord are coupled and which has a treatment tool inserting port, a holding unit for holding the coupling member, and a holding member for disposing the holding unit at a predetermined position of an operation bed. According to this arrangement, the operability of a surgeon can be improved by improving not only a curving operability but also the insertion operability of an inserting portion and the operability of a treatment tool.

Abstract: The LG connector is composed of the proximal portion and the case body. The frame is supported by the proximal portion, and the universal cable and the control cable are fixed to this frame. Watertightness between the universal cable and the case body is maintained at an abutting surface which is orthogonal to the axis thereof, and watertightness between the control cable and the case body is maintained at the outer peripheral surface thereof. Thereby, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the assembly operation without deteriorating the watertightness of the LG connector. Also, the proximal portion is provided with the joint to be connected to the optical apparatus, and on this joint, the light guide bar is projectedly provided. Inside the proximal portion, the guide portion which guides the light guide to the insertion port of the light guide bar is projectedly formed. This guide portion enables the light guide to be easily installed without damaging the light guide.

Abstract: When washing the electronic endoscope, a cleaning liquid that has flowed into a space between a shell of an electric connector and an external cylinder of a watertight cap does not reach a connector pin that resides inside the shell since an O-ring seals an internal cylinder of the watertight cap and the shell. The cleaning liquid is discharged to the outside of the watertight cap through discharge holes, which are formed between the external cylinder and the internal cylinder.

Abstract: A connection system for an electronic endoscope, including a flexible scope and a video-signal processing unit, is utilized to establish a detachable connection between the scope and the unit. The scope has a solid image sensor to produce image-pixel signals, and the unit has a processor for processing the image-pixel signals to produce a video signal. The scope includes a first power line, a first group of signal lines and a first ground line which are utilized to feed said image-pixel signals to the unit, and the unit include a second power line, a second group of signal lines and a second ground line which are utilized to receive the image-pixel signals from the scope. A transistor is provided in one of the first and second power lines, and is usually in an OFF-state.

Abstract: A medical system having an endoscope probe intubated into a body, a signal processing circuit for processing a signal for the probe and an electric source circuit insulated from a commercial electric source. A part of the signal processing circuit connected to the probe is isolated by an isolation circuit to secure the safety. An impedance element is employed to prevent a malfunction by reducing an emission/permeation of noises. No adverse influence is thereby exerted on outside units.

Abstract: A video endoscopic probe has a distal terminal utilizing an objective, a color CCD sensor, and an electrical interface microcircuit. The probe utilizes a continuous bundle of optical fibers which is coupled to a light source. The probe also has a video processor coupled to an electrical interface microcircuit. This video processor is adapted to supply and synchronize electrical signals from the color CCD sensor, to process the electrical signal generated by said color CCD sensor, and to produce a video signal. The color video monitor is adapted to receive the video signal produced by the video processor. The probe also has a tubular probe coupled to the distal terminal and a control handle adapted to include the video processor and the color video monitor. A multiconductor electrical is used to couple the video processor to the electrical interface microcircuit.

Abstract: An endoscope capable of improving assembly operativity and facilitating a repair operation is provided. This endoscope has an insertion section having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and inserted into a body cavity, an operation section arranged on a proximal end portion side of the insertion section, a universal cord extending from the operation section, and having a distal end portion, and a conduit extended in the insertion section, the operation section and the universal cord. This conduit has one end arranged on the distal end portion of the insertion section and having a first opening portion formed therein and the other end arranged on the connector and having a second opening portion formed therein, and separable on a portion between one end and the other end.

Abstract: An endoscope has an elongated insertion portion to be inserted into a subject, wherein the insertion portion directs illumination light for illuminating the subject, and comprises a cylindrical light directing member being hard enough to maintain its configuration, and an optical system and an image sensing device provided inside the light directing member for observing the subject, and wherein the image sensing device comprises a solid-state image sensing device for converting light from the optical system into an electric signal, and a circuit board electrically connected to the solid-state image sensing device.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable (124) for supplying light to an endoscope (22) from a light source (28). The cable, in addition to including an optically transmissive core (50), includes two conductors (62) that are not in direct electrical contact with each other. Contacts (140, 146) integral with a plug (130) attached to one end of the cable connect the conductors to circuitry internal to the light source. The conductors extend to a switch (384) in a second plug (132) which is closed when a sensor (387) closes the switch to establish an electrical connection between the conductors. The sensor closes the switch when the second plug is connected to an endoscope. The circuit internal to the light source monitors the change in voltage across the conductors to determine if the connection is established. When the connection is not established, the light source places itself in a standby mode reducing the amount of emitted light energy, thus minimizing heating of the light cable, and the second, distal plug.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope system which is configured to eliminate the necessity to mount separate airtight means on a connector section between an electronic endoscope and an external unit at a stage of washing and disinfection, and maintain electrical isolation for patients' securities at the same time. The electronic endoscope system has a composition wherein an electronic endoscope which is equipped with a CCD is connected by way of a connector to a light source unit which is equipped with a light source and performs output control of at least video signals, signal transfer between the electronic endoscope and the light source unit is performed with optical elements, and electric power is supplied from the light source unit to the electronic endoscope by spatial electromagnetic means. Electric power obtained by the electromagnetic coupling means is accumulated once in a battery and the electronic endoscope is driven by the battery.

Abstract: A medical instrument has a tube-like element, a handle bent off from said tube-like element, an endoscope having a shaft, a camera module connected to said endoscope, a light pipe and a guide provided on said tube-like element for receiving said shaft of said endoscope. The endoscope is provided with at least two coupling elements extending in a direction of said bent-off handle and into an inside of said handle, one of said at least two coupling elements is coupled to said light pipe, another of said at least two coupling elements is coupled to said camera module, and said camera module is disposed inside of said handle.

Abstract: A heat attenuating spacer device interconnects an endoscope to a first end of a fiberoptic conductor. The opposite end of the conductor is operably engaged with a fiberoptic light source. The endoscope has an entry port for introducing light into the endoscope, which entry port is communicably engaged with the first end of the conductor. The spacer device includes a spacer body and an inlet formed in the spacer body. The inlet is communicably engaged with the first end of the conductor to receive light therefrom. An outlet is formed in the body and spaced apart from the inlet. The outlet is communicably engaged with the entry port of the endoscope. The body transmits light from the inlet to the outlet, which light is discharged from the outlet and introduced into the endoscope through the entry port. The spacer body and/or a filter contained by the body thermally insulates the light conductor from the endoscope.

Abstract: A unit connecting member for connecting an illuminating light supply unit to a control part of an endoscope includes a receiving socket mounted to the control part for detachably receiving the illuminating light supply unit for connection to, and disconnection from, the control part. The unit connecting member further includes an electrically insulating member provided between the receiving socket and the control part, for electrically insulating the light supply unit from the control part. The endoscope system further including an illuminating light guide for transmitting light for illuminating an object, and an illuminating light supply unit for supplying illuminating light to the illuminating light guide. The illuminating light supply unit is detachably attached to the control part. The portable endoscope system includes an AC/DC conversion adapter which is connected to an AC power supply to output a predetermined DC voltage and is connectable to the illuminating light supply unit.

Abstract: A pass-through duodenal enteroscopic device utilizes the natural contraction wave of the small intestine to propel the device through the small intestine at about the same speed as any other object therein. The exterior of the device is streamlined over the greater portion thereof with a video camera and illumination source at the forward end of the device. Covering the camera lens and illumination source is a transparent inflatable balloon adapted to gently expand the small intestine immediately forward the camera for better viewing. A small diameter communication and power cable is wound within the device and unwinds through an aperture in the rear of the device as the device moves through the small intestine. Upon completion of movement through the small intestine the cable is automatically separated from the device permitting the cable to be withdrawn through the stomach and intestine. The device continues through the large intestine and passes from the patient through the rectum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for connecting a fiber optic cable to the fiber optic connection of an endoscope. An end section of the optical fiber is mounted as a bundle of fibers in a housing part and a coupling part is provided for the fastening with a positive fit of this housing part to the fiber optic connection on the endoscope side. To ensure that the optical fiber ends always come into contact with one another free of play and to improve the cleaning access, the coupling part is arranged on the housing part axially displaceable against a spring force in the direction of the fiber optic connection on the endoscope side.

Abstract: An endoscope system provided with an electronic or optical endoscope is provided therein with an illuminating optical system, an observation optical system, a flow passage system and a forceps channel. Cleaning and disinfection operations are performed on the endoscope so that the endoscope is reusable. An electronic or optical cover type endoscope is provided therein with an illuminating optical system and an observation optical system. The cover type endoscope is used with an endoscope cover having a flow passage system and a forceps channel mounted on the cover type endoscope. The endoscope cover is discarded and replaced whereby the cover type endoscope is reused. Peripheral equipment for endoscope inspection used in combination with the endoscopes is capable of being selectively connected to any of the endoscopes.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope apparatus provided with an electronic endoscope having arranged thereon a solid-state image pickup element at an insertion portion, and external devices such as a light source device for supplying an illumination light to the electronic endoscope, a video processor for processing an electrical signal transmitted from the solid-state image pickup element of the electronic endoscope to produce a video signal. An electrical connection portion for electrically connecting the electronic endoscope and the video processor is provided at a connector portion which is provided at an end of a universal cord which connects the electronic endoscope and the light source device. An electromagnetic interference countermeasure member is provided which covers at least one of the connector portion, the universal cord and the external devices. A dual shield around a signal line is also provided which includes spirally-wound lead wires having different diameters and ends connected to video ground.

Abstract: A combination electronic iris and connector for use with a light source, an optical fiber and a CCD, which is optically coupled to the optical fiber, includes a socket, a plug, a heat sink and an electronic iris. The socket has a threaded bore and is mechanically coupled to the light source. The plug is adapted to be coupled to the socket and has a bore for receiving the optical fiber. The heat sink has a disc-shaped portion having a bore for receiving the optical fiber and a threaded stem portion having a bore for receiving the optical fiber. The disc-shaped portion of the heat sink is slidably coupled to the light source and disposed adjacent to the socket. The threaded stem portion of the heat-sink is threadedly coupled in the threaded bore of the socket. The optical fiber is optically coupled to the light source. The electronic iris is disposed within the light source and axially aligned with the optical fiber. The electronic iris is controlled by feedback from the CCD from a feedback circuit.

Abstract: A connector guide structure for electronic endoscope systems capable of efficiently eliminating high-frequency noises which are allowed by a connector guide functioning as an antenna to mix by way of sheath members and a console. The connector guide structure comprises a connector guide for connecting a connector disposed on an electronic endoscope to a main unit, and noise eliminating capacitors are connected between the connector guide and a console of the main unit. A capacitor for eliminating noises produced by a radio knife and a plurality of capacitors for eliminating noises produced by clock-frequency signals are used as the capacitors. Feet of the capacitors are directly connected within an interval of 4 mm to 20 mm which is reserved between the connector guide and the console. Accordingly, the connector guide structure is capable of favorably eliminating not only the noises produced by the radio knife but also the noises produced by providing clock-frequency signals.

Abstract: An endoscopic light guide connector of the type which has an input end of a light guide fitted in a light guide rod to be inserted into a connector socket at a connection port of a light source to locate a light pickup end face of the light guide at a light condensing position of a condenser lens of the light source. The light guide connector includes an adaptor pipe which is detachably fitted on a fore end portion of the light guide rod and which is fitted with a corrective lens to adjust angles of incident light rays from the condenser lens of the light source on the basis of a numerical aperture of the light guide for receiving input light rays at a maximum acceptance angle or at angles close to a maximum acceptance angle of the light guide. An adjustor unit fixedly receives the light guide rod and adjusts the distance between the input end of the light guide and the condenser lens.

Abstract: A portable endoscope system has an illuminating light guide for transmitting light for illuminating an object. A light source lamp contained in an illuminating light supply unit supplies light to the illuminating light guide. The entrance end portion of the illuminating light guide is disposed in an endoscope control part. The illuminating light supply unit is detachably attached to the control part. The portable endoscope system includes a connecting cable which connects the light source lamp with an external battery to supply electricity to the light source lamp from outside the endoscope system.

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 pressure equalization device connects to a port on an endoscope and equalizes the pressure within the endoscope to an environment thereabout. An outlet check valve allows flow out of the port and blocks flow into the port. A filter may be provided for preventing known chemical agents from entering the port. If the agent is hydrogen peroxide, the filter preferably comprises a catalyst, such as copper wool, for decomposing the hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. An inlet check valve may also be provided to communicate with the endoscope port and allow flow into the port in response to a downstream pressure gradient exceeding a predetermined value.

Abstract: A video camera head for use with medical diagnostic instrumemts. A connector assembly, positioned at the outlet of the housing of the camera head, allows a video cable including a multi-conductor tightenable connector to be attached to and detached from the fragile internal wiring of the camera head without applying destructively high forces thereto. A mounting assembly, positioned at the inlet of the housing of the camera head, enclose and protects a video imaging chip while securely mounting the same in a predetermined position and orientation within the housing of the camera head.

Abstract: An image pickup unit provided with an image pickup element is of structure capable of being detachably received in an endoscope body or a TV camera. After having been used in observation, the image pickup unit is dismounted, whereby disinfection processing and sterilization processing of the endoscope body from which the image pickup unit is dismounted, or the TV camera can be executed without inviting deterioration and the like of a characteristic of the image pickup unit by a disinfection unit, a sterilization unit or the like.

Abstract: A coupling cartridge and end cap for protecting an endoscope from contamination during use. The coupling cartridge provides fluid communication between a pair of external fluid conduits and respective channels formed in an endoscope insertion tube, and between a biopsy channel port projecting from the cartridge and an additional insertion tube channel. In one embodiment, fluid flow through the external fluid conduits is controlled by an external fluid control unit that is electrically controlled by respective switches mounted on the control handle of the endoscope. In another embodiment, fluid flow through the external fluid conduits is controlled by a valve mechanism in the coupling cartridge that is controlled by either an actuator on the cartridge or an actuator on the control handle that is mechanically coupled to the valve mechanism. The coupling cartridge may be removed from endoscope after an endoscopic procedure for disposal or rigorous cleaning.