Abstract: An in-body image capturing device (camera unit) with high reliability is suggested. A camera unit (11) includes an image capturing unit that includes a lens (26) and a first illumination unit (27a) and is capable of being introduced into a body. The first illumination unit (27a) and the image capturing unit are housed in a casing (22) that is integrally molded with an integral light-transmitting body (22x) and an integral light shielding body (22y).

Abstract: An imaging unit used in an oblique-viewing endoscope in which an endoscope axis along a longitudinal direction of a distal end portion of the endoscope and an optical axis of a lens unit cross along an observation direction includes: a semiconductor package including a light receiving surface arranged perpendicularly to the optical axis of the lens unit, an imaging device converting an optical image formed by the lens unit into an image signal, and a sensor electrode on a rear surface; a first circuit board including a first connecting electrode on a front surface and connected to the sensor electrode, and a second connecting electrode on a rear surface on which an electronic part is mounted; and a second circuit board including a first region including a third connecting electrode connected to the second connecting electrode, and a second region including a cable connecting electrode connected to a cable.

Abstract: A camera head includes an airtight case which includes an image pickup unit having an image pickup device and the like as a heat source in an inner portion and includes a partition wall to secure air-tightness with respect to an outside of the airtight case, a heat transfer sheet which connects the heat source and an inner surface of the partition wall to transfer heat generated at the heat source to the partition wall, a heat sink arranged on an outer side of the partition wall of the airtight case, and a spring member which is interposed between an outer surface corresponding to the inner surface of the partition wall of the airtight case connected to the heat transfer sheet and the heat sink to transfer heat from the outer surface of the partition wall to the heat sink.

Abstract: A medical image processing apparatus includes a medical image acquisition unit that acquires a medical image including a subject image, a first discrimination processing unit that performs a first discrimination process of detecting a lesion and discriminating a degree of progress of the detected lesion by using a first medical image captured using first illumination light having a specific spectrum, among the medical images, and a second discrimination processing unit that performs a second discrimination process of discriminating the degree of progress of the lesion by using a second medical image captured using second illumination light having a spectrum different from the first illumination light, among the medical images.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the minimally invasive medical technical field, and specifically, to a device of anti-fogging endoscope system including a beam of a near-infrared light for anti-fogging, which is coupled into an endoscope imaging optical channel in combination coaxially and is transmitted to the front optical window sheet, the visible light passes through the front optical window sheet, and the near-infrared light is absorbed by the absorption characteristics of the front optical window sheet to raise the temperature of the front optical window sheet. The device is also provided with a cut filter for eliminating the impact on image quality caused by the near-infrared stray light, so that the illumination light source of the prior-art endoscope is not necessary to be changed. It is suitable to integrate the coaxial coupling module with a camera handle or adapter and is more convenient to operate the device.

Abstract: An endoscope has a cannula, one and only one translucent or transparent cover at a distal end of the cannula, a light source and imaging system, both inside the cannula. The light source delivers light into the cover. At least some of that light passes through the cover to illuminate an inspection site inside the patient's body; some of that light is internally reflected at an outer surface of the cover to travel back toward an inner surface of the cover. The imaging system receives the light that has been reflected off the inspection site and returned to the endoscope through the cover. The components are configured such that none of the light that is internally reflected at the outer surface of the cover reaches an optical input of the imaging system directly (e.g., without being further reflected).

Abstract: An arthroscope having an elongated core with a square radial cross section.

Abstract: The endoscope optical system consists of: a first lens group that is used only for front viewing; a plurality of second lens groups that have a negative lens at a position closest to an object side and are used only for side viewing; a third lens group that is commonly used in front viewing and side viewing; and a synthesizing section that synthesizes the rays emitted from the first lens group and the rays emitted from the second lens groups and causes the synthesized rays to be incident into the third lens group. The rays emitted from the first lens group and the rays emitted from the second lens groups are imaged on a same plane.

Abstract: A tip part for an endoscope has a vision receptor having a vision sensor for providing an image from received light; a first light source; an exterior housing; and a first lens positioned in front of the first light source so that a portion of light emitted from the first light source travels towards and propagates through the first lens; the exterior housing comprising a window consisting essentially of a transparent material, so that light emitted from the first light source can pass through the window to the exterior, the window comprising an exterior surface positioned at in front of the first light source, wherein the first lens is a convex lens and has a convex lens surface integrally provided on an interior surface of the window.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes a removable optical adaptor and a main body optical system. The optical adaptor includes an aperture and includes a first group optical system having a negative combined focal length as a whole and a second group optical system having a positive combined focal length as a whole in order from an object side. The main body optical system includes an imaging lens configured to form an image of a light flux on an image pickup device, the light flux being transmitted through the adaptor from the object. The first group optical system includes a lens having an Abbe number of 35 or higher, and the second group optical system includes a lens having an Abbe number of 45 or lower.

Abstract: An optical microscopy probe for scanning microscopy imaging of object has a housing with an optical window at a side position at the distal end of the housing, and an optical guide having an objective lens rigidly coupled to an end portion of the optical guide. The optical guide is displaceably mounted in a transverse direction of the housing so as to enable optical scanning in a region of interest. A relay lens unit is rigidly mounted at the distal end of the probe and it has a first lens, a second lens and a mirror. The relay lens unit is optically arranged relative to the objective lens for allowing scanning microscopy through the optical window at the side of the distal end of the housing.

Abstract: An illumination unit for endoscope is provided with: a light guiding layer, an illumination lens, light guides and a positioning member; and the positioning member is provided with: a barrel body on which arrangement grooves are formed, the barrel body being configured to perform inward positioning of the light guides in the radial direction by distal end sides of the light guides being arranged in the arrangement grooves; and a cylindrical member configured to perform outward positioning of the light guides in the radial direction by covering an outer circumference of the barrel body in an intersection direction to block the distal end sides of the light guides arranged in the arrangement grooves, between the cylindrical member and the barrel body in the intersection direction.

Abstract: A wireless imaging system comprising a head unit and a light cable is provided. The head unit comprises a head unit case, a head unit electrical connector, an image sensor, a wireless transceiver, a central processing unit, and a user-input component. The light cable comprises a light cable electrical connector, a power cable, and an integrated light source. The integrated light source comprises an emissive radiation source having a first spectrum, an optical element located to direct emissions from the emissive radiation source, a volumetric spectrum converter, and an optical reflector located about the converter. The converter converts emissions directed from the emissive radiation source to emissions having a second spectrum different from the first spectrum. The reflector reflects the converter emissions towards the output filter.

Abstract: A display correction system applied for an endoscope is provided which includes a color checker, a light-shielding tank, an endoscope has a lens that is sleeved in the light shielding tank and the lens is disposed toward the view window, the lens of the light-shielding tank is sequentially aligned the color block of the color checker through the view window to capture the image of the color block. The monitor has a captured image window which is provided for displaying the image of the color that is captured by the endoscope. The display correction device is provided for correcting the image signal from the color block that is transmitted by the endoscope, such that the image is displayed on the monitor is corresponding to the image of the electrical signal, and the color of the image on the monitor is the same as the true color of the color block.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are described herein that allow for improved sampling of tissue from remote sites in the body. A tissue sampling device comprises a handle allowing single hand operation. In one variation the tissue sampling device includes a blood vessel scanning means and tissue coring means to excise a histology sample from a target site free of blood vessels. The sampling device also includes an adjustable stop to control the depth of needle penetration. The sampling device may be used through a working channel of a bronchoscope.

Abstract: An optical coupler for mounting at a distal end of an optical imaging device includes a visualization section and an attachment section. At least one surface of the visualization section has a roughness that does not interfere with a video capture system of an optical imaging device.

Abstract: A multi-channel optical imaging and stimulation system includes a light source to deliver light beams into a light guide. Different light beams are coupled into different spatial modes supported by the light guide. The light guide includes multiple segments, each of which defines a window to couple a specified group of spatial modes out of the light guide to illuminate or stimulate a target. Light reflected, scattered, or emitted by the target is also collected by the windows in the light guide. The light collected by different windows is detected by different pixels of a detector, thereby creating a correspondence between the pixel location and the spatial location of site at which the light is collected. An image of the target is then reconstructed based on this correspondence.

Abstract: An apparatus facilitating percutaneous delivery of laser energy includes: a hollow needle having a cutting edge at an insertion end thereof; and a laser fiber fixedly embedded within the hollow needle, the embedded laser fiber within the needle being permanently fixed within the hollow needle as one non detachable unit.

Abstract: The endoscope apparatus includes a focus control section that performs a focus control process that controls a plurality of in-focus object plane position, the plurality of in-focus object plane positions being set discretely, a switch control section that switches the focus control process between an autofocus control process and a manual focus control process, and an operation section that is operated by a user, when the operation section has been operated by the user during a period in which the focus control section performs the autofocus control process, the switch control section switching the focus control process from the autofocus control process to the manual focus control process, and the focus control section moving the in-focus object plane position to an in-focus object plane position among the plurality of in-focus object plane positions that differs from the in-focus object plane position when the operation section has been operated.

Abstract: An observation unit can be stably held in a state where the observation unit is mounted on a distal portion, and can be easily removed without interfering with a connection pipe. A mounting hole for mounting an observation unit on a distal end body which constitutes a distal portion is formed. The mounting hole is formed with a first holding portion into which the distal portion of the lens barrel is inserted, a second holding portion into which a prism holder is inserted, and a releasing portion having a space larger than the external diameter of the lens barrel between the first and second holding portions.

Abstract: A delivery catheter for delivery, then photo-activation of photo sensitive material has a photo-sensitive substance-delivery part and an activation part. The catheter delivers substances such as biomaterials to a target site, followed by illumination of the target using optics located at the distal tip of the catheter which are optically coupled to an extracorporeal light source. The light may be delivered by a single or multi-lumen needle, or a separate light guide passed over the catheter.

Abstract: An articulated device may include a first steerable multi-linked mechanism and a second steerable multi-linked mechanism. The second steerable multi-linked mechanism may include a first link, a plurality of intermediate links and a second link movably coupled to a second one of the intermediate links. A first one of the intermediate links may be movably coupled to the first link. The articulated device may include a camera located within at least a portion of the second link and a protective shield connected to a distal end of the second link. The protective shield may surround at least a portion of the camera.

Abstract: An endoscope with a wide angle lens that comprises an optical axis that is angularly offset from a longitudinal axis of the endoscope such that the optical axis resides at an angle greater than zero degrees to the longitudinal axis. The wide angle lens system simultaneously gathers an endoscopic image field, the endoscopic image field at least spanning the longitudinal axis and an angle greater than ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis. The endoscope includes a transmission system with a lens system having f-sin(theta) distortion or substantially f-sin(theta) distortion that distributes the angle of incidence of the light rays gathered from the endoscopic field of view on to the image surface area in order to even out the information density across the surface area of the imager.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a window component made of a transparent material at the distal end of the endoscope, wherein the window component is not rotationally symmetric in relation to the direction of view, and an optical correction apparatus for correcting the aberration of the window component.

Abstract: The objective lens for an endoscope substantially consists of a first lens group having a negative refractive power, a stop, and a second lens group having a positive refractive power in this order from the object side. The first lens group consists of a single negative lens. The second lens group consists of two or fewer lenses. When the focal length of the first lens group is f1 and the focal length of the entire system is f, conditional expression (1): ?0.9<f1/f<0 is satisfied.

Abstract: The invention encompasses devices and methods used to keep the objective lens of a viewing or illuminating device, specifically an endoscope, free from obstructive fluid and dirt; specifically a device having a hollow body designed to fit over an endoscope, and a transparent lens cover film that is retained within the device and that is threaded in front of the objective lens of an endoscope, thereby maintaining a clear and unobstructed transparent window in front of the endoscope lens.

Abstract: The invention provides an endoscope having a lens holder, wherein the lens holder includes a body containing a sintered feedstock and machined surfaces. The invention also provides a method of manufacturing the endoscope which includes the steps of molding a metal blank by a MIM process, wherein the metal blank is “near net shape” and has a sprue, a post, and optionally an outer shell, machining the inner surfaces and then the outer surfaces of the metal blank to form a lens holder, installing a lens in the lens holder, and assembling the lens holder having the lens into the endoscope.

Abstract: Provided is an endoscope objective optical system 1 including, in order from an object side, a first lens 2 composed of a negative single lens, a second lens 3 composed of a positive single lens, an aperture stop 4, a third lens 5 composed of a positive single lens, and a fourth lens 6 composed of a positive combined lens, wherein the third lens 5 has a meniscus shape having a convex surface facing the image side. The endoscope objective optical system (1) satisfies the following conditions: 0.3<Df/f<1.15,??(1) n1<1.79,??(2) n2>n1,??(3) 0.6<IH/f<0.83,??(4) and |r1|?|r2|+d1>1.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes a transparent member that is provided at a distal end of an insertion portion of an endoscope and opposed to an image pickup optical system, a transducer that is attached to an inner surface of the transparent member, a diffraction grating that is provided on an outer surface of the transparent member, and converts an ultrasound vibration f from the transducer into a surface acoustic wave ? which propagates on the outer surface of the transparent member, and absorption portions that are provided at an outer peripheral portion of the transparent member, and deflect the propagated surface acoustic wave ? to a surface different from the outer surface to absorb the surface acoustic wave.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a substantially rigid shaft having a distal end and a proximal portion, the shaft having a first lumen and a second lumen separate from the first lumen, the second lumen containing one or more objective lenses disposed at the distal end thereof. A housing is mounted on the proximal portion of the shaft, the housing including an eyepiece mount and a light input port. An image fiber bundle is disposed in the second lumen, the image fiber bundle extending proximally from adjacent the one or more objective lenses to the eyepiece mount. An illumination fiber bundle is disposed in the second lumen, the illumination fiber bundle extending proximally from the distal end of the shaft to the light input port.

Abstract: Devices, tools and methods for performing minimally invasive surgical procedures. Methods of performing minimally invasive ablation procedures. Methods of performing rapid exchange of tools in a device while the device remains in a reduced-access surgical space.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided with a main part, an endoscope shaft and an imaging lens system. An imaging lens system includes a correction module, which comprises a splitter unit and a superimposition unit. Light is routed to the correction module via a first beam path, which is split into a first and a second partial beam path by the splitter unit. The splitter unit guides light from the visible spectrum into one of the two partial beam paths and light from the near infrared range into the other partial beam path. The superimposition unit superimposes the light from the two partial beam paths and guides it into a second beam path, coaxial with the first beam path. The optical path lengths of the two partial beam paths for the light from the visible spectrum and the light from the near infrared range are selected such that they are different.

Abstract: A system and method for detection of colorimetric abnormalities within a body lumen includes an image receiver for receiving images from within the body lumen. Also included are a transmitter for transmitting the images to a receiver, and a processor for generating a probability indication of presence of colorimetric abnormalities on comparison of color content of the images and at least one reference value.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes an endoscope which utilizes a single coherent fiber bundle for simultaneously carrying imaging and illumination light.

Abstract: Hermetically sealed enclosures and constructions are disclosed for use in endoscopic systems, particularly endoscopic systems with electronic imaging and illumination systems in the enclosures. Compound optical windows are also disclosed for use in the systems. The compound optical windows may have separate panes for an imaging system and an illumination system, and contrast-reducing optical boundaries are between panes.

Abstract: A catheter having an imaging device on its distal end serves as a guidewire for cannula tools, enabling the tools to be advanced to a desired site in a patient's body. One exemplary embodiment of such a catheter is a scanning fiber endoscope. The images facilitate navigation through linked body lumens and also enable an operator to view a site where a biopsy sample is to be taken with a cannula tool. Exemplary cannula tools include bristles or sharp points that scrub cells from adjacent tissue, a biopsy needle that can be thrust into tissue, a loop that cuts away tissue, a cutting edge that slices tissue from a site, and forceps. The sample can be carried by a bodily or introduced fluid to a proximal end of the catheter through an annular gap between the catheter and the cannula tool, or the cannula tool can retain the sample.

Abstract: An illumination lens to be disposed in a front end of a light guide of an endoscope includes an entrance face and an exit face. The entrance face has positive power. The exit face has positive power. The following Expression (1) is satisfied while the following Expression (2) is satisfied. 1.2<1/r1×?<1.8,??(1) 0.24<1/r2×?<0.96,??(2) where ? [mm] is a diameter of the lens, r1 [mm] is a curvature radius of the entrance face, and r2 [mm] is a curvature radius of the exit face.

Abstract: An endoscope with a wide angle lens that comprises an optical axis that is angularly offset from a longitudinal axis of the endoscope such that the optical axis resides at an angle greater than zero degrees to the longitudinal axis. The wide angle lens system simultaneously gathers an endoscopic image field at least spanning the longitudinal axis and an angle greater than ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis. The endoscope further includes an imager comprising an imaging surface area that receives at least a portion of endoscopic image transmitted by the wide angle lens system and produces output signals corresponding to the endoscopic image field and image forming circuitry that receives the output signal and produces an image signal.

Abstract: Provided is an endoscope with a handle, an endoscope shaft connected to the handle, and imaging optics arranged in the endoscope shaft. An object can be located in the direction of view of the imaging optics in front of the endoscope shaft. The endoscope may also include a swivellably housed deflecting element that sets the desired direction of view. The deflecting element can be positioned at the distal end of the endoscope shaft facing away from the handle. An actuating element can be attached to the handle, which is mechanically connected to the deflecting element, and with which the swivel position of the deflecting element can be changed in order to set a desired direction of view.

Abstract: The diameter of an endoscope insertion portion is reduced, and a wide field angle of an endoscope insertion portion is obtained. An endoscope objective optical system includes, from an object side, a first lens formed of a plano-concave lens having a concave surface facing an image side, a second lens formed of a plano-concave lens having a concave surface facing the object side, an aperture stop, and a third lens formed of a plano-convex lens having a plane surface facing the object side, and satisfies 0.7?|fab/f|0.9 1.7?|fe/fab|?2 2?fb/fa?4 where f: focal length of the entire system; fa: focal length of the first lens; fb: focal length of the second lens; fe: represents focal length of the third lens; fab: combined focal length from the first lens to the second lens.

Abstract: A flexible endoscope having a wide-angle lens that has an optical axis that is angularly offset from a longitudinal axis of the endoscope, such that the optical axis resides at an angle greater than zero degrees to the longitudinal axis. The wide-angle lens system simultaneously gathers an endoscopic image field at least spanning the longitudinal axis and an angle greater than ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis. The endoscope includes an imager comprising an imaging surface area that receives at least a portion of endoscopic image transmitted by the wide-angle lens system and produces output signals corresponding to the endoscopic image field and image forming circuitry that receives the output signal and produces an image signal. The wide-angle lens endoscope has a flexible distal end or tip.

Abstract: An endoscope with a wide angle lens that comprises an optical axis that is angularly offset from a longitudinal axis of the endoscope such that the optical axis resides at an angle greater than zero degrees to the longitudinal axis. The wide angle lens system simultaneously gathers an endoscopic image field, the endoscopic image field at least spanning the longitudinal axis and an angle greater than ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis. The endoscope includes a transmission system with a lens system having f-sin(theta) distortion or substantially f-sin(theta) distortion that distributes the angle of incidence of the light rays gathered from the endoscopic field of view on to the image surface area in order to even out the information density across the surface area of the imager.

Abstract: In a minimally invasive surgical system, an image capture unit includes a prism assembly and sensor assembly. The prism assembly includes a beam splitter, while the sensor assembly includes coplanar image capture sensors. Each of the coplanar image capture sensors has a common front end optical structure, e.g., the optical structure distal to the image capture unit is the same for each of the sensors. A controller enhances images acquired by the coplanar image capture sensors. The enhanced images may include (a) visible images with enhanced feature definition, in which a particular feature in the scene is emphasized to the operator of minimally invasive surgical system; (b) images having increased image apparent resolution; (c) images having increased dynamic range; (d) images displayed in a way based on a pixel color component vector having three or more color components; and (e) images having extended depth of field.

Abstract: An image pickup device includes: an image pickup element; a spacer surrounding a light receiving surface of the image pickup element; a cover glass attached to the spacer, the cover glass being disposed opposing to the light receiving surface; and an insulative resin configured to thermally couple the image pickup element with the cover glass, and to have a thermal conductivity of not less than 8 W/mK. An endoscope includes: the image pickup device; an image pickup optical system; a drive circuit; a light guide configured to radiate light from a illumination light source; a tubular body configured to accommodate the image pickup device, the image pickup optical system, the drive circuit, the light guide, and a forceps opening; and a first insulative resin having a thermal conductivity of not less than 8 W/mK, and adapted to thermally couple the image pickup device with the drive circuit.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: a long insertion portion that is inserted into an examination object; an illumination portion provided at a distal end portion of the insertion portion, that irradiates illumination light at the examination object; an image pickup portion provided inside the distal end portion, that picks up reflected light captured in the insertion portion; and a heat radiating member that radiates heat emitted from at least one of the illumination portion and the image pickup portion. A distal end of the heat radiating member is disposed on a further proximal end side of the insertion portion than a maximum external diameter portion of the image pickup portion within the distal end portion. Therefore, not only can heat be radiated from the distal end portion of the insertion portion, but the distal end portion of the insertion portion can also be formed with a narrow diameter.

Abstract: An endoscopic device which is introduced into the intestinal tract of a living organism and which operates autonomously therein, adapted to obtain and store or transmit one or more types of data such as visual image data, laser autofluorescensce data, or ultrasonic waveform data. In another aspect of the invention, apparatus for delivering agents including nanostructures, radionuclides, medication, and ligands is disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, apparatus for obtaining a biopsy of intestinal tissue is disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, apparatus for detecting the presence of one or more molecular species is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device comprises at least one imaging device, a processor, and a means for collecting and transmitting data, delivering agents, obtaining a biopsy, detecting molecular species, and/or generating ultrasonic waveform data.

Abstract: An endoscope objective optical system includes, in order from an object side, a first lens composed of a negative single lens, a second lens composed of a positive single lens, an aperture stop, a third lens composed of a positive single lens, and a fourth lens composed of a positive combined lens, the third lens having a meniscus shape having a convex surface facing the image side. The endoscope objective optical system satisfies the following conditions: 0.3<Df/f<1.15,??(1) n1<1.79,??(2) n2>n1,??(3) 0.6<IH/f<0.83,??(4) and |r1|?|r2|+d1>1.8??(5) Df is the distance from a surface of the first lens facing the object side to the aperture stop, f is the focal length of the entire system, IH is the maximum image height of the entire system, and d1 is the center thickness of the third lens.

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: An endoscope has a tubular shaft whose interior contains components, in particular lenses, spacers, diaphragms, prisms and filters of an optical system, said components being at least partially surrounded by a support piece made of shrunk material. It is proposed that the components be surrounded by a transparent and tube-sleeve-shaped shrunk material which has been shrunk before the components are introduced into the tubular shaft.

Abstract: An endoscope has a tubular shaft whose interior contains components, in particular lenses, spacers, diaphragms, prisms and filters of an optical system, said components being at least partially surrounded by a support piece made of shrunk material. It is proposed that the components be surrounded by a transparent and tube-sleeve-shaped shrunk material which has been shrunk before the components are introduced into the tubular shaft.