Abstract: An endoscope device in accordance with the present invention consists mainly of an endoscope, a light source apparatus, a video processor, and a monitor. The endoscope includes an insertion unit, an operation unit, a linkage cord, a connector unit, and an electric connector. The insertion unit is flexible and elongated. The operation unit is coupled to the proximal end of the insertion unit. The endoscope can undergo at least one of cleansing, disinfection, and sterilization that is performed at a high temperature. Furthermore, a drop in the temperature of at least part of the external surface of the operation unit of the endoscope occurring when the endoscope is cooled within a predetermined domain of temperatures is substantially equal to or larger than a drop in the temperature of at least part of the external surface of the insertion unit.

Abstract: A disposable implement insertable into an endoscope and comprising at least one zone matched to the shape of the endoscope. The at least one zone is designed to be permanently deformed on account of having been used a first time by the inevitable mechanical, thermal and/or chemical treatment it undergoes in the endoscope, and before renewed use in the endoscope. Deformation of the at least one zone eliminates shape-matching of the zone to the endoscope, and is readily visually apparent to a user.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for observing a surgical field, comprising a flat monitor video (15, 40) and a chamber (20, 30) capable of being sterilized and forming a sealingly closed sterility barrier around the monitor video (15, 40), wherein the chamber (20, 30) is sufficiently sealed to maintain internal excess pressure or negative pressure applied on the closure of the chamber (20, 30), and the chamber (20, 30) is with an internal pressure sensor (160) for actuating alarm means when the excess pressure or negative pressure is no longer present, the assembled device being capable of being sterilized to infinity and of being used in all types of sterilized rooms, for example in a surgery or in a laboratory.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided with a pliable tube having an integument layer made of a resin constituting an insertion portion and at least one slender tube element inserted through the insertion portion. The amount of contraction of the pliable tube after application of a thermal load during a high-pressure steam sterilization step is set larger than the amount of contraction of the tube element after application of a thermal load during the high-pressure steam sterilization step.

Abstract: An endoscope suitable for autoclaving in accordance with the present invention has a barrier that separates an interior from an exterior. When the barrier is located at a predetermined position, consideration is taken into a displacement of the barrier between the position of the barrier observed before start of autoclaving and the position thereof observed after completion of the autoclaving during which predetermined pressure is applied and a thermal load is imposed.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided with a pliable tube composed of an integument layer formed from a resin and a metal tube integrally fitted into this integument layer in an insertion portion. The inner diameter dimension of the pliable tube at ambient temperature after application of the thermal load of the high-pressure steam sterilization step is larger than the inner diameter dimension at ambient temperature before application of the thermal load.

Abstract: A rigid endoscope includes an outer housing subassembly that supports an optics subassembly. The outer body subassembly includes concentric tubes with optical fiber for providing object illumination. The optics subassembly includes a tubular sheath sealed at both ends. A compression spring is positioned between a proximal most relay lens element and a distal most eyepiece element. The spring exerts a distally acting force on the elements of an optical objective and relay lens system. It also produces a proximally directed force on optical elements in the eyepiece. This minimizes differential thermal expansion stresses during autoclaving operations.

Abstract: An endoscope of the present invention includes a flexible tube section having an outer sheath layer composed of resin for constituting an endoscope insertion section and a slender tube member inserted into the endoscope insertion section, wherein the amount of shrink of the tube member after the completion of a high temperature/high pressure steam sterilization process is set as much as or greater than the amount of shrink of the flexible tube section after the completion of the high temperature/high pressure steam sterilization process.

Abstract: A cover glass frame as a second frame body mounting thereto a cover glass is fitted onto an objective lens frame, which is a first frame body mounting thereto a tip end lens and an objective lens as optical members, in a manner to be movable in a direction of optical axis, and is fixed after having been adjusted in position in the direction of optical axis. The objective lens frame and the cover glass frame thus fitted and fixed are fitted into and joined to a cylindrical member to constitute an imaging unit, which is then arranged in a tip end portion of an insertion part of an endoscope. Thereby, focus adjustment can be performed on the optical members, which are assembled into the imaging unit, and a tip end side portion of the insertion part of the endoscope can be made small in outer diameter to prevent entry of vapor into the imaging unit even when autoclave sterilization is carried out.

Abstract: An endoscope has an insertion member that includes a flexible tube. The flexible tube has a spiral tube, which is formed by spirally winding a metallic belt, sheathed with a braid, and has the braid sheathed with a resin sheathing. The resin sheathing is made of an ester-series thermoplastic elastomer, an amide-series thermoplastic elastomer, or a blend of them. Therefore, the flexural rigidity of the flexible tube of the insertion member attained at a predetermined position after the flexible tube is loaded during high-temperature high-pressure steam sterilization is equal to or lower than that attained before the flexible tube is loaded. Consequently, the flexural rigidity of the flexible tube attained after sterilization with high-temperature high-pressure steam is equal to or lower than that attained before the sterilization. Thus, the inserting smoothness of the insertion member can be optimized.

Abstract: A method is provided for protecting a medical instrument and other articles adapted to be inserted into and removed for re-use from a human or animal body. A temporary coating of an oxidation-resistant material is applied to the instrument or part thereof to protect the instrument or part thereof over at least one sterilizing or disinfecting cycle.

Abstract: An endoscope suitable for autoclaving in accordance with the present invention has a barrier that separates an interior from an exterior. When the barrier is located at a predetermined position, consideration is taken into a displacement of the barrier between the position of the barrier observed before start of autoclaving and the position thereof observed after completion of the autoclaving during which predetermined pressure is applied and a thermal load is imposed.

Abstract: An endoscope has built-in components, which include a spiral tube, a braid, angulation wires, and angulation coils, passed through a 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 extent of deformation that is caused by sterilization with high-temperature high-pressure steam will be larger than the strength of force the sheathing exerts in correcting its extent of deformation during the high-temperature high-pressure steam sterilization (which includes a high temperature load). Thus, the extent of deformation derived from sterilization with high-temperature high-pressure steam is suppressed.

Abstract: An endoscope suitable for autoclaving in accordance with the present invention has a barrier that separates an interior from an exterior. When the barrier is located at a predetermined position, consideration is taken into a displacement of the barrier between the position of the barrier observed before start of autoclaving and the position thereof observed after completion of the autoclaving during which predetermined pressure is applied and a thermal load is imposed.

Abstract: An endoscopic image filing system mainly comprises an endoscope apparatus for performing endoscopical examination by way of an endoscopic image, an image filing apparatus connected with the endoscope apparatus for recording a required endoscopic image, and a cleaning apparatus for sterilizing/cleaning an endoscope used in the endoscope apparatus. The image filing apparatus is provided with a keyboard and a mouse for inputting and setting a variety of data. The cleaning apparatus is provided with a keyboard for inputting data and a printer for printing a sticker or the like which indicates that the endoscope has already been cleaned and is stuck for the endoscope after cleaned, for example. The cleaning apparatus is capable of transmitting cleaning information to the image filing apparatus.

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: The endoscope has a frame member for satisfying at a time, mechanical strength chemical resistance, size reduction, weight reduction, and workability by using carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin as a frame member disposed inside the endoscope. The frame member of an at-hand operating part is formed by using carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin. In the carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin, substantially 20% to substantially 30% of carbon fiber is contained in a mixed material prepared by mixing crystalline resin and amorphous resin in a ratio of substantially 7:3 to substantially 8:2.

Abstract: An endoscope system has at least one of an endoscope including a first discrimination section having readable characteristic information for discriminating each endoscope, a peripheral device including a second discrimination section having readable characteristic information for discriminating each peripheral device, and a third discrimination section having readable characteristic information for discriminating an operator operating the endoscope or the peripheral device. A reading section is capable of reading the characteristic information of the first, second or third discrimination section. A management section manages a status of use of the endoscope and information related to the peripheral device and the endoscope.

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: The endoscope device comprises an endoscope suitable for high temperature autoclave sterilization, an endoscope not suitable for high temperature autoclave sterilization, an external endoscope device to which these endoscopes are connected, and an identification part for identifying whether the endoscope is suitable for high temperature autoclave sterilization.

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: In an endoscope of the present invention having a feature in a flexible tube section constituting an insertion section, the flexible tube section includes a spiral tube formed by spirally winding a metal strip, a mesh-like tube covering the outside periphery of the spiral tube; and an outer sheath layer composed of resin for covering the outside of the mesh-like tube, wherein when the outer sheath layer is softened by being subjected to a thermal load caused in a high temperature/high pressure steam sterilization process, the outside diameter of the flexible tube section is the same as or smaller than the outside diameter thereof before it is subjected to the thermal load.

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: 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 autoclavable flexible fiberscope for remote visualization. A flexible fiberscope shaft including a number of flexible fiberoptic image-transmitting fibers is attached to a video coupler for connection to a video camera or other external video device. High-temperature materials of fabrication and high-temperature seals are provided to resist damage during autoclave sterilization.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an image pickup unit 30 having a solid-state image pickup device 32 such as a CCD on a tip end side of an elongate insertion section. This image pickup unit 30 constitutes a tip end side unit 36U and a rear end side unit 43U by conducting a surface treatment (metallization) to nonmetal members such as a tip end cover glass 31 and a rear end cover glass 35, and by airtight coupling surface-treated portions of the nonmetal members to metal members such as a tip end cover glass frame 36 and a rear end cover glass frame 43 by brazing using soldering, and constitutes an optical system unit 60 by airtight coupling the metal members to metal members of an insulating unit 38U formed by airtight coupling a pipe member 41 and a ring member 42 to an insulating frame 38 by welding.

Abstract: An elongated built-in component formed with a hollow resin tube is passed through a flexible tube that is an integral part of a soft insertion member of an endoscope. Assuming that a critical radius of curvature the flexible tube exhibits after completion of sterilization with high-temperature high-pressure steam is Rj, and a critical radius of curvature the elongated built-in component exhibits after completion of the sterilization is Rn, the condition of Rj≧Rn is met. Unless the flexible tube is bent to exhibit so small a radius of curvature as to cause the flexible tube to buckle, the built-in component will not buckle.

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: A composition has a durability to a sterilization treatment using vapor under high temperature and pressure and capable of transmitting or absorbing light. The composition comprises a group A including 15 to 23 mol % of lanthanum oxide, 3 to 8 mol % of gadolinium oxide, 3 to 8 mol % of tantalum oxide, and 8 mol % or less of yttrium oxide; a group B including 30 to 45 mol % of boron oxide, 20 mol % or less of silicon oxide, and 20 mol % or less of germanium oxide; zero mol % of alkaline metal oxide or alkaline earth metal oxide; and a group D including 0.3 to 15 mol % of niobium oxide and 3 to 15 mol % of zirconium oxide. A mol % ratio A/B between the group A and group B is 80% or more, and a dissolving-out rate of metal ion of the composition is 0.002×10−6 mol/hour or less per square centimeter.

Abstract: A protective tube is provided for use in sterilizing flexible endoscopes in a vacuum method. Such flexible endoscopes comprise a flexible sleeve at a distal end portion. The diameter of the protective tube is selected such that the tube can be slipped onto and fit onto the distal end portion. The length of the tube is selected such that it at least covers the end portion with the flexible sleeve. In addition, the structure of the tube is selected such that the flexible sleeve is protected against swelling under vacuum conditions, at the same time however the sterilizing agent reaches between the outside of the sleeve and the applied protective tube.

Abstract: A multiplane transesophageal probe (20) includes a transducer (28) and a handle (30). The handle incorporates a control (40) mounting switches (51-58). The switches and control panel are covered with foil (43). A seal (70) couples the control panel and foil to the handle.

Abstract: An endoscope having resistance to high-temperature and high-pressure steam including an optical unit having at least one optical member; and optical unit supporting frame for supporting the optical unit so that its position can be adjusted in the direction of the optical axis; and a hermetic optical covering member joined to the optical unit supporting frame and having an optical window for covering at least an end portion of the optical unit when it is joined.

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 can undergo at least one of cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization at high temperature. The endoscope includes an elongated insertion member and a control section joined to the proximal end of the insertion member. A drop in the temperature of at least part of the outer surface of the insertion member occurring when the endoscope is cooled to predetermined temperature after being processed at high temperature is substantially equal to or larger than a drop in the temperature of at least part of the outer surface of any member other than said part of the outer surface of the insertion member.

Abstract: The present invention is a cap tester for a water resistant cap for medical video equipment that comprises a neck capable of insertion within the cap. The neck has an air duct extending therethrough. Preferably, the neck further comprises at least one projection extending outwardly from the neck. The projection mates with interior grooves of the cap to releasably connect the cap tester to the cap. A collar extends outwardly beyond the neck to provide a cover to the neck upon insertion into the cap. A conduit extends above the collar and substantially aligns with the duct within the neck that may be connected to a positive air supply. Thus, upon placing a cap tester within the cap, the method of the present invention comprises pressurizing the cap and cap tester, submersing the cap and cap tester in liquid and observing the immersed cap and cap tester for air bubbles thereby indicating a leak in either the cap frame or any seal located therein.

Abstract: A method is provided for protecting a medical instrument and other articles adapted to be inserted into and removed for re-use from a human or animal body. A temporary coating of an oxidation-resistant material is applied to the instrument or part thereof to protect the instrument or part thereof over at least one sterilizing or disinfecting cycle.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided, being insertable in the colon of a patient, in a self-propelled manner, by driving a plurality of endless belts mounted along the outside surface of a flexible section of an insertion tube thereof, and having a cleaning mechanism therein to be easily cleaned after use. A self-propelled colonoscope (1) is an endoscope insertable in the colon by driving endless belts (10) mounted along the almost entire length of a flexible section (4) of an insertion tube (5), and having guide pipes, which guide returning endless belts, being mounted in the insertion tube thereof, each of said guide pipes being provided with an opening for a cleaning brush (35) and a casing (31), which surrounds the endless belt driving unit, being formed with a cleaning window (33), said window being provided with a lid (37).

Abstract: A device for monitoring a use of a medical video endoscope (1), comprising a processing system (4) having an input for receiving color data signals (5), comprising a set of color data components, said processing system (4) comprising a color analysis unit (21), provided for selecting at least one of said color data components, and for determining for each of said selected color data components an intensity value, said processing system further comprising a memory (10-12) for storing at least a first color value reference range, indicating first color intensity values obtained upon use of said endoscope, said memory being connected to an input of a verification unit (25), said verification unit being provided for determining a second color value on the basis of said intensity values, and for verifying if said second value is within said first color value reference range, said verification unit being also provided for generating a flag, indicating said use, upon establishing that said second color value is with

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: Each of a plurality of endoscopes of an endoscope system is provided with a non-volatile memory in which information inherent to an endoscope, such as the model and manufacturing number, is stored. By a large capacity memory device provided in a server, which is connected with the endoscope through a network, with information inherent to each endoscope, the use condition, the cleaning condition, the cleaning effective period and the like are centrally administrated. Accordingly, the use condition, the cleaning condition and the like of each endoscope used in an endoscopic examination can be confirmed so that the endoscopic examination can be performed smoothly.

Abstract: An endoscope, in particular a video endoscope, has an endoscope shaft at the distal end and a mount at the proximal end for attaching an optical imaging device, for example a video camera, and an endoscope housing between said endoscope shaft and said mount, said mount being rotatable relative to said endoscope shaft, via a rotary joint, about the longitudinal axis of said endoscope an optically imaging arrangement, which is at least partially positionally displaceable by way of an adjusting device for focusing the image transmission, moreover being received in said endoscope housing. Said endoscope housing is configured in continuously hermetically sealed fashion, and said rotary joint is arranged outside said endoscope housing.

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 endoscope suitable for autoclaving in accordance with the present invention has a barrier that separates an interior from an exterior. When the barrier is located at a predetermined position, consideration is taken into a displacement of the barrier between the position of the barrier observed before start of autoclaving and the position thereof observed after completion of the autoclaving during which predetermined pressure is applied and a thermal load is imposed.

Abstract: In an endoscope apparatus, a suction button is detachable from a manual control part, and rubber parts such as O-rings and a knob are attached to the suction button. The rubber parts are made of a perfluoromonomer rubber material that is obtained by vulcanizing a material having a perfluoromonomer structure in which an average molecular weight is not greater than 2000. Thus, the rubber parts have excellent chemical resistance, heat resistance and mechanical strength. Therefore, the suction button can be both disinfected with new types of disinfectant having powerful oxidizing properties and sterilized in an autoclave.

Abstract: An external component of an endoscope includes an aluminum alloy base member whose surface is subjected to anodic oxidation, and thereafter, is subjected to an electrolytic deposition thereon.

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 sigmoidoscope comprising at least one disposable part (1), in combination with means (10) for insufflation of a body cavity with a medium via the sigmoidoscope; said medium being susceptible to contamination by a contaminant (as herein defined) during use of the sigmoidoscope, said insufflation means (10) and said sigmoidoscope (eg part 1) being connected, or adapted for connections one to the other; the sigmoidoscope and/or the insufflation means being provided with disposable contamination prevention means (18), or being so formed and arranged, that no non-disposable part of the sigmoidoscope (eg 15) and no non-disposable part of the insufflation means is exposed to any contaminated medium during use of the sigmoidoscope.

Abstract: An endoscope has a distal objective and proximal devices for image viewing including a fiber optical image guide, which extends within the endoscope between the objective and the devices for viewing the image and one of whose end regions is fixedly mounted on the endoscope and the other end region of which is axially movably mounted, and the image guide is secured in its proximal end region and the remaining distal end region of the image guide is freely movable, the objective also being movably received relative to the endoscope and the distal end of the image guide and the objective being connected together for common axial movement.

Abstract: An endoscope can undergo at least one of cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization at high temperature. The endoscope includes an elongated insertion member and a control section joined to the proximal end of the insertion member. A drop in the temperature of at least part of the outer surface of the insertion member occurring when the endoscope is cooled to predetermined temperature after being processed at high temperature is substantially equal to or larger than a drop in the temperature of at least part of the outer surface of any member other than said part of the outer surface of the insertion member.

Abstract: The endoscope device comprises an endoscope suitable for high temperature autoclave sterilization, an endoscope not suitable for high temperature autoclave sterilization, an external endoscope device to which these endoscopes are connected, and an identification part for identifying whether the endoscope is suitable for high temperature autoclave sterilization.