Abstract: An insertion device includes a channel defining portion extended through an inside of an insertion section up to a base portion toward a distal direction and defining a channel that is open to an outside of the insertion section in an opening of an outer peripheral portion of the base portion, and a driving unit extended through an inside of the channel with a driving axis being an axial center and being rotatable in directions around the driving axis when driven. The insertion device includes a driving force receiving portion connected to a gear portion in the opening of the channel, and a support unit supporting the driving unit so that the driving axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis in the gear portion.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a handle and a shaft connected thereto. Imaging optics are arranged in the shaft that image an object located in the direction of view of the imaging optics in front of the shaft as an image and which to set the desired direction of view. The imaging optics comprise a swivellably housed deflecting unit positioned at the distal end of the shaft facing away from the handle. The possible swivel range of the imaging optics has a first and a second limit, as well as an actuating element, which is attached to the handle and which is mechanically connected to the deflecting unit. Thereby the swivel position of the deflecting unit within the swivel range can be changed in order to set a desired direction of view. A first mechanical stop is provided against which the deflecting unit lies when the first limit is reached.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes an insertion portion inserted into a body, an optical member arranged exposed from an outside surface at a distal end of the insertion portion, an objective optical system that condenses light impinged from the optical member, an electronic image pickup circuit that photoelectrically converts the light condensed by the objective optical system, a heat absorbing section arranged in the vicinity of the electronic image pickup circuit for absorbing heat generated from the electronic image pickup circuit, a heat transfer section extending toward the optical member side for transferring heat of the heat absorbing section, a heat radiation section arranged in the vicinity of the optical member for radiating heat transferred by the heat transfer section to the optical member, and a heat transfer member that is formed by patterning a metal foil on an insulating, flexible film member and includes the heat absorbing section, the heat transfer section and the heat radiation section.

Abstract: A rigid, rod-shaped endoscope for medical applications includes a distal end having a light-permeable distal window and a light outlet disposed adjacent to the distal window, which includes a device configured to prevent the incidence of stray light onto sides of the deflection prism facing the distal window. An endoscope shank includes a plurality of telescoping hollow tubes. An inner fixed optical tube includes a moveable optical deflection prism and an optical system configured to transmit light beams. The optical deflection prism is mounted rotatably on a shaft that is disposed at a right angle to a longitudinal axis of the endoscope. At least one moveable sliding tube is configured to move relative to the inner fixed optical tube in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the endoscope using magnetic forces generated by a plurality of moveable permanent magnets.

Abstract: A medical apparatus according to the present invention includes: an image pickup section including an observation window, the image pickup section being led into a body; a holding section that holds the image pickup section inside the body; a covering section that is connected to the holding section and covers the observation window to set the image pickup section in a non-photographable state; and a field-of-view control section that variably controls the covering of the observation window by the covering section and sets the image pickup section in a photographable state to allow the image pickup section to photograph a subject inside the body.

Abstract: A zoom lens for use in endoscopic devices, in which a plurality of lens units is arranged in a lens cylinder perpendicular to the center line thereof. Among the plurality of lens units at least one lens unit may be hydraulically adjustable in the axial direction of the lens cylinder so as to vary the focal length of the zoom lens. Furthermore, the focal length of individual lenses of the lens unit may be varied by pneumatically varying the shape of the lenses in order to vary the total focal length of the zoom lens in this way.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endoscope head which is equipped with a plurality of function-related units such as an optical/lens system, illuminating elements, rinsing nozzles and the like. The endoscope head substantially comprises a plurality of modular plug-in or click-in function-related supports for receiving and/or forming the function-related units.

Abstract: An endoscope assembly for stereoscopic observation of cavities has a head support, an observation system controllably mounted on the support to be aligned with an eye axis of an examining person, and an endoscope with an eyepiece funnel mounted on the head support to be coaxial with and synchronously displaceable with the observation system.

Abstract: An optical system for electronic endoscopes which makes it possible to thin tips of endoscopes and minimize illumination ununiformities. In this optical system, a prism having a half transmissive mirror film formed thereon is disposed on a rear side of an objective optical system, a CCD is optically connected to a reflecting optical path in which rays are flexed at a right angle and a light guide is connected to a straight travelling optical path. A light diffusing plate and a condenser lens are arranged between the light guide and the prism. This arrangement makes it possible to dispose the objective optical system in series with the light guide in a tip of endoscope, thereby enabling to thin the tip. Further, the diffusing plate prevents an image of a shape of an end surface of an optical fiber bundle from being projected reversely to an image pickup device.