Abstract: The invention includes an insertion portion, one end of which is inserted inside a lumen of a subject; an image-acquisition unit for acquiring an image of an interior wall in the lumen as a substantially circular or substantially ring-shaped interior wall image; a transformation processing unit for transforming, in the interior wall image, at least substantially ring-shaped images concerning the interior wall, whose distance from the one end is uniform, to substantially straight-line-shaped or substantially band-shaped images; a distance-measuring unit for measuring a distance moved by the insertion portion relative to the subject; and an image synthesizing unit for joining the transformed images on the basis of the distance moved measured by the distance-measuring unit.

Abstract: An endoscope illumination optical system includes a surface light source, a positive first lens element, a positive second lens element, in this order from the surface light source. The endoscope illumination optical system satisfies the following conditions: 0.40<f/D<0.53??(1) 0.40<0.5·D·?<0.56??(2) wherein f: the combined focal length of the positive first lens element and the positive second lens element; D: the maximum diameter of the surface light source; R1: the radius of curvature of a first surface, of the positive first lens element, facing toward the surface light source; R2: the radius of curvature of a second surface, of the positive first lens element, facing toward a surface to be illuminated; n1: the refractive index of the positive first lens element; d1: the thickness of the positive first lens element; and ? designates an angle defined as (1+0.85d1/R2)(1?1/n1)/R1?1.05/R2.

Abstract: An endoscope insertion portion capable of illuminating a diseased part corresponding to a part of an endoscope image by irradiation light in an amount approximately the same as that in non-enlarged display, when displaying the part of the endoscope image in an enlarged manner. The endoscope insertion portion of this invention includes: an insertion portion having a distal end surface; a first illumination optical system for irradiating light onto a subject; a second illumination optical system for irradiating light onto the subject; a first image pickup portion including on the distal end surface a first optical member for introducing light from the subject; and a second image pickup portion including a second optical member for introducing light from the subject, the second optical member being disposed in an area sandwiched by the first illumination optical system and the second illumination optical system.

Abstract: An endoscope insertion portion of the invention includes a plurality of observation windows having different outer diameters for leading incident light to a plurality of image pickup portions, and disposed on a distal end surface of the distal end portion; and an air/water feeding portion for spouting out a gas or liquid toward the plurality of observation windows, and disposed to the distal end portion. One of the plurality of observation windows having the largest outer diameter is disposed on the distal end surface at a position closest to the air/water feeding portion than the other of the plurality of observation windows.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes an image pickup section incorporated in a medical instrument body and movably provided in the medical instrument body that picks up an image of the object to be examined from an observation window, a covering section movably provided at the medical instrument body so as to cover the observation window and in which an opening portion is formed, a drive section that drives the covering section or the image pickup section, and a control section that controls the drive section so as to drive the covering section or the image pickup section by synchronizing a timing for the image pickup section to pick up the object image with a timing at which the opening portion and the observation window match, and can thereby prevent sticking of deposits to the observation window and obtain a clear observation image.

Abstract: An imaging assembly for use in a medical imaging device such as an endoscope or the like. In one embodiment, the imaging assembly includes a transparent distal cap that is shaped to receive an image sensor insert. The image sensor insert has a cooling channel that supplies a cooling liquid or gas to one or more illumination sources.

Abstract: A digital otoscope for capturing live and still digital images of body tissue and having associated optical characteristics that improve the quality of visual information gathered for medical inspection of both human and veterinary subjects. The digital otoscope includes a tip element having dimensions that are small enough to fit into a small body cavity, such as an ear canal. The tip element and the otoscope enclose an assembly of optical components yielding optical characteristics that provide a substantially wide field of view and a substantially wide range of optimal focus from which to form visual information within a small and confined body cavity.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: a distal end portion provided at a distal end of an insertion portion; a front-view observation window for observing an insertion direction of the distal end portion, which is provided facing toward the insertion direction; a lateral-view observation window for observing a circumferential direction of the distal end portion, which is formed along the outer circumferential lateral surface and has a lateral observation field of view; a light-emitting member having an emission end surface for emitting light in a distal end direction of the distal end portion; a groove portion formed on the outer circumferential lateral surface of the distal end portion so as to be longer than the emission end surface of the light-emitting member along the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential lateral surface of the distal end portion and opposed to the emission end surface, on a proximal end side with respect to the lateral-view observation window; a plurality of particles for scattering l

Abstract: An endoscope includes: an insertion portion including a distal end portion, to be inserted into a subject; an observation optical system disposed in the insertion portion; an optical member configuring a part of an outer surface of the distal end portion, through which a photographing light to be incident into the observation optical system transmits; a first hydrophilic portion that is film-formed at least on a surface of the optical member; a second hydrophilic portion that is film-formed on a first surface of the distal end portion in which the optical member is disposed; and a third hydrophilic portion that is film-formed on a second surface separate from the first surface of the distal end portion.

Abstract: A capsule endoscope capable of implementing stereoscopic photography, with which protruding/recessed states are easily recognized, for a nearby subject. The capsule endoscope includes imaging devices for respectively imaging a common subject, a driving/sampling section which drives the imaging devices, focusing optical systems which correspond one-to-one with the imaging devices and focus subject images onto imaging regions of the corresponding imaging devices, and a control section which controls imaging operations of the imaging devices with the driving/sampling section. At least one of the focusing optical systems is inclined such that an optical axis direction thereof is oriented forward in a direction of imaging by the plurality of imaging devices and toward a perpendicular direction that passes through a central point between the imaging regions of the plurality of imaging devices.

Abstract: An endoscopic imaging includes an image sensor having a polygonal outline; a lens for focusing an image onto the image sensor; a lens support member abutting on the image sensor, and supporting the lens; and an abutting portion formed while extending from a lower edge portion of the lens support member, the abutting portion abutting on at least two sides of an outline of the image sensor to position the lens support member so that the lens is positioned at a predetermined position of the image sensor.

Abstract: An endoscope insertion portion of the invention comprises: a distal end portion; first image pickup means for obtaining a first observation image, the first image pickup means being disposed to the distal end portion; second image pickup means for obtaining a second observation image, the second image pickup means being disposed to the distal end portion; a first object optical system for condensing photographing light incident on the first image pickup means, the first object optical system being located in the distal end portion; a second object optical system for condensing photographing light incident on the second image pickup means, the second object optical system being located in the distal end portion; and a plurality of illumination optical systems for irradiating light to a subject, the plurality of illumination optical systems being located in the distal end portion in a manner sandwiching each of the first object optical system and the second object optical system.

Abstract: A capsule endoscope 2 includes a partial-image acquiring unit that has a field of vision of 360° around a central axis in a longitudinal direction (moving direction), and acquires a plurality of partial image data on inner circumferential areas 28a, 28b and the like according to a movement of the capsule endoscope 2. On the other hand, the capsule endoscope 2 is configured to acquire position related data based on which positions Z(t1) and Z(t2) at which the respective partial image data is acquired can be calculated, and enables a receiving apparatus or the like to constitute overall image data based on the partial image data and the position related data, whereby an overall image of a predetermined imaging target in a body of a subject is acquired with simple constitution while suppressing an increase in data amount.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an observation window for observing an image of a photographic subject; an illumination window for emitting illumination light for illuminating the photographic subject; a suction port connected to a suction channel are provided on a distal end surface of an insertion portion; an observation window peripheral edge portion which is formed so that a surface having the observation window is vertical to an observation light axis; an illumination window peripheral edge portion which is formed so that a surface having the illumination window is vertical to an illumination light axis which tilts outward with respect to the observation light axis; and a suction port peripheral edge portion which is formed so that a surface having the suction port is flush with the observation window peripheral edge portion.

Abstract: A portable, low power, low cost, endoscope having a removable probe with a miniature digital CCD imager, single white LED illuminator and an imaging lens on the distal end and a miniature multi pin connector on the proximal end; both ends connected with a multi trace flexible circuit hidden inside of the protecting flexible sleeve; and a full color LCD monitor and associated image signal processing electronics and powered by the small battery cells.

Abstract: A capsule endoscope includes an objective lens and a transparent dome that covers the object side of the objective lens, and the transparent dome has negative refracting power. In the capsule endoscope of the present invention, the center of curvature of the object-side surface of the transparent dome disagrees with the center of curvature of the objective-lens-side surface of the transparent dome to satisfy the following condition: Rb<L?Ra where Ra is the radius of curvature of the object-side surface of the transparent dome, Rb is the radius of curvature of the objective-lens-side surface of the transparent dome, and L is a distance from the vertex of the object-side surface of the transparent dome to the most object-side surface of the objective lens.

Abstract: An imaging assembly for use in a medical imaging device such as an endoscope or the like. In one embodiment, the imaging assembly includes a transparent distal cap that is shaped to receive an image sensor insert. The image sensor insert has a cooling channel that supplies a cooling liquid or gas to one or more illumination sources.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an illuminator that includes a light emitting surface for illuminating the inside of a living body, an objective optical system for forming an image of a specified object on one side of the objective optical system and illuminated by the illuminator, and a transparent cover that encompasses the illuminator and the one side of the objective optical system. The transparent cover includes an outer surface, and light emitted from the light emitting surface that is reflected by the outer surface satisfies a certain condition that helps prevent rearward dispersed light caused by scratches on, or substances adhering to, the external surface of the transparent cover from entering the entrance pupil of the objective optical system. The endoscope may also include a member for partially shielding the light emitted from the light emitting surface so as to limit the direction in which light is directed from said light emitting surface to the transparent cover.

Abstract: An improved 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 autofluorescence data, or ultrasonic waveform data. In another aspect of the invention, an improved endoscopic device useful for implanting the aforementioned endoscopic smart probe is disclosed. 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 within the intestine is disclosed. Methods for inspecting and/or treating the interior regions of the intestinal tract using the aforementioned apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A illumination system for variable direction of view instruments is disclosed generally comprising an endoscope having a longitudinal axis and a variable view vector that pivots about a pivot axis angularly offset from the longitudinal axis. The view vector has an attendant viewing field that travels along a path as the view vector pivots, defining a viewing range. A source of illumination is arranged in a plane offset from the plane in which the view vector pivots and provides an annular, solid angle of illumination that covers the viewing range. In certain embodiments, the pivot axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the illumination plane is parallel to the pivot plane. In some embodiments, the source of illumination is a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged around the pivot axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides an in-vivo imaging device comprising at least one imager and an associated optical system, at least the optical system located in an optical dome of the imaging device, the optical dome having a tip, the optical system comprising an optical lens, the optical system having a given effective focal length f, the optical lens being located at a distance D? from the tip; wherein D?/f?6.

Abstract: An endoscope insertion portion of the invention includes an outer surface formed between a plurality of observation windows oriented in a spouting direction of the air/water feeding portion, the outer surface being in the same plane as surfaces of the plurality of observation windows.

Abstract: Distal ends of the LG fiber bundles are held in a state of being inclined outwardly with respect to an insertion direction of the distal end rigid portion, an observation hole for holding the image-pickup unit is formed at the distal end rigid portion, illumination holes for holding the distal ends of the LG fiber bundles are formed around the observation hole, the illumination holes are inclined outwardly with respect to an insertion direction of the distal end rigid portion, extended lines of inclined angles of the illumination holes are set to pass through backward of the observation hole, and a space after removal of the image-pickup unit from the observation hole is secured as a space for withdrawal of the LG fiber bundles.

Abstract: An optical probe, for example, a medical endoscope, having a removable lens cell. In an embodiment, the optical probe has an elongated tube with a proximal portion terminating at a proximal end and a distal portion opposite the proximal portion terminating at a distal end. The elongated tube defines an axial lumen wherein a lens cell holder is disposed proximal the distal portion. The lens cell holder has an axial holder bore for at least partially containing the lens cell within and removably coupled with the holder bore.

Abstract: A working conduit comprises an inner tube and an outer tube into which the inner tube can be inserted. The inner tube is a transparent hollow tube of which one end is a close end, and the other end is an open end. The outer tube is also a transparent hollow tube of which both ends are open ends. The close end of the inner tube is configured as a semi-spherical shape, a curved surface, a streamline shape, a parabolic surface or a cone with a rounded tip. The inner tube can be used as an observation tube. An endoscope can be inserted into the inner tube for confirming the position, range, orientation and/or depth of the portion to be surgically treated.

Abstract: An endoscope pipe with a central, elongated observation window on the distal end, whereby several light outlet openings for fiberoptic end surfaces are positioned close to the observation window for illuminating the angle area observed through the observation window and the light outlet openings are positioned asymmetrically in relation to the longitudinal extension of the observation window and/or the fiberoptic end surfaces are held in the light outlet openings in such a way that light is beamed from the fiberoptic end surfaces into the angle area in various directions.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a window on a distal end of the endoscope, an interior body with a first material on the distal end, and a mantle with a second material on the distal end, such that the window and the interior body are joined.

Abstract: An insertion unit has a channel through which a treatment tool can be inserted. A distal end of the insertion unit has a single-focus objective optical system or a focal-point-variable objective optical system to focus the optical image on a light receiving surface of an image capturing element. At a short object distance from the distal end, an image signal with a sufficient resolution is obtained from the image capturing element. In this state, a treatment tool projected by a reduced amount from a distal end opening of the channel is captured on a light receiving surface of the image capturing element. A required resolution is also provided for a far side.

Abstract: A visual veress needle assembly is provided including an optically conductive veress needle for puncturing tissue and having a hollow interior and an optical stylet insertable through the hollow interior of the veress needle. The veress needle is constructed of translucent material enabling light to pass through from a proximal end to a distal end to illuminate the area of the incision and the operative site. The optical stylet includes a lens at a distal end for obtaining an image of the operative site and a connector at the proximal end for transmitting optical data to auxiliary viewing devices. The distal end of the stylet is flexible and incorporates structure to orient the lens relative to the hollow veress needle.

Abstract: A veterinary otoscope permitting examination of an ear is defined by an instrument head including a proximal end and a distal insertion portion that is insertable into the ear. The veterinary otoscope includes an imaging lens train disposed within the instrument head, wherein each of the imagine lens train, an eyepiece and a distal opening of said insertion portion are aligned along an optical axis. The veterinary otoscope further includes a focusing mechanism for selectively moving at least one of the imagine lens train and the optics contained within the eyepiece relative to one another along the optical axis. The imagine lens train and the optics in the eyepiece define an optical system such that an entrance pipil is substantially located in the distal insertion portion of the instrument head, thereby enabling the entire tympanic membrane to be viewed at once by the user.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion unit; an observation optical system arranged at an end surface of the insertion unit in an inserting axis direction and having a wide viewing angle for observing a body cavity; and a plurality of illumination optical systems arranged on an axis slanted with respect to the inserting axis direction of the insertion unit and used when illuminating the body cavity. An illumination lens of at least one of the illumination optical systems is subjected to light diffusion process.

Abstract: This endoscope is equipped with a fixed focus image pickup unit which is constructed of an objective optical system, and a solid state color image pickup device in which a color filter is arranged every pixel, the solid state image pickup device fulfilling a conditional expression (300<IH/P<550), and the objective optical system fulfilling a conditional expression (300<Fl/P<550) and a conditional expression (2400×P<Fno.<4200×P), and an image pickup plane of the solid state image pickup device is arranged in a position where an MTF on an optical axis in a spatial frequency 1/(3×P) of the objective optical system at 4 mm of object distance, and an MTF on the optical axis in a spatial frequency 1/(3×P) at 50 mm of object distance become 10% or more together.

Abstract: A rigid endoscope includes an outer housing subassembly that supports an optics subassembly. The outer housing subassembly includes concentric tubes with optical fiber for providing object illumination. The optics subassembly includes a tubular sheath sealed at both ends for carrying lenses and other optical elements. First and second positioners associated with the optics subassembly and the outer housing subassembly, respectively, limit the transfer of axial forces from the proximal end of the endoscope to the tubular sheath.

Abstract: A spectroscope for detecting vulnerable plaques includes an optical fiber extending through a catheter. The optical fiber has a field-of-view that is modified to preferentially collect light scattered from deep within the wall of a blood vessel. Obstructions or curved optical surfaces can be used to modify the field of view.

Abstract: Apparatus for tracking an object includes a plurality of field generators, which generate electromagnetic fields at different, respective frequencies in a vicinity of the object, and a radio frequency (RF) driver, which radiates a RF driving field toward the object. A wireless transponder is fixed to the object. The transponder includes at least one sensor coil, in which a signal current flows responsive to the electromagnetic fields, and a power coil, which receives the RF driving field and conveys electrical energy from the driving field to power the transponder. The power coil also transmits an output signal responsive to the signal current to a signal receiver, which processes the signal to determine coordinates of the object.

Abstract: A rigid endoscope includes an outer housing subassembly that supports an optics subassembly. The outer housing subassembly includes concentric tubes with optical fiber for providing object illumination. The optics subassembly includes a tubular sheath sealed at both ends for carrying lenses and other optical elements. A slow-curing adhesive material fills an annular gap between the optics and outer housing subassemblies. The adhesive material has a tear strength that seals and positions the optics subassembly for normal use and that enables the optics subassembly to be withdrawn from the outer housing subassembly for repair.

Abstract: A wide-angle lens module includes a first lens and a second lens with negative refracting power, a third lens with positive refracting power, a fourth lens with negative refracting power, a fifth lens with positive refracting power, a sixth lens with positive refracting power, and a seventh lens with negative refracting power. The first lens, the second lens, the third lens, the fourth lens, the fifth lens, the sixth lens, and the seventh lens are disposed in order from an object side to an image side.

Abstract: A visual means of an endoscope comprising at least one optical system or composite optical system arranged at a front area of the endoscope. The at least one optical system or the at least one composite optical system realizes an aperture angle of more than 180° and is arranged such that the field of vision thereof reaches both beyond the normal to the direction of movement and beyond the longitudinal axis of the endoscope pointing ahead.

Abstract: An objective optical system is configured to be suitable to be implemented at a tip of an endoscope. The objective optical system is provided with a first lens unit having a first lens barrel and a first optical system including plurality of lens elements assembled in the first lens barrel, and a second lens unit having a second lens barrel and a second optical system including a plurality of lens elements. The first lens unit or the second lens unit includes an alignment lens which is movable in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis thereof. The alignment lens is a lens most sensitive with respect to an alignment error among the plurality of lenses included in the first optical system.

Abstract: A device and system including an optical head assembly and a dome, and a method for use thereof. The optical head assembly includes an illumination portion and an imaging portion and is situated behind the dome. The dome may have an optical system integrated therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system that is capable of taking images having a wide angle-of-view in simplified construction, is of small-format size and well corrected for aberrations, and has high resolving power. The optical system is an imaging system that is to image an object plane (4) having a rotationally symmetric concave shape about a center axis (1) on a planar image plane (5) orthogonal to the center axis and comprises a refracting element (3) formed of a transparent medium including a first transmitting surface (31) rotationally symmetric about the center axis (1) and extending along said object plane (4) and a second transmitting surface (32) rotationally symmetric about the center axis (1) and having a refractive index of greater than 1. A light beam from the object plane (4) is imaged on the image plane (5) through the refracting element (3).

Abstract: An optical system for an endoscope can be used by being disposed in the distal end portion of the endoscope, the optical system having a plurality of illumination optical systems, which allow light emitted from a light source to diverge, and an observation optical system, in which at least one of the plurality of illumination optical systems satisfies the following formula (1): 0??df(?)/d??0.025, 10°???85°??(1), wherein ? denotes an angle of emission from a center of the illumination optical system, and f(?) denotes a value obtained by standardizing, at an illuminance at a time when the angle ? of emission is 0°, an illuminance distribution (spherical light distribution characteristics) at a time when a spherical object is illuminated by the illumination optical system.

Abstract: Certain embodiments include an endoscope and methods for imaging using the endoscope. The endoscope may include an imaging channel and a tip positioned at one end of the imaging channel, the tip adapted to collect light from a field of view that extends 360° around at least a portion of the endoscope and to transmit the light to the imaging channel. Certain embodiments may also utilize various sensors, controllers and processing mechanisms to record and process images into a representation, move the endoscope in and out of the endometrial cavity, and to biopsy a portion of the endometrium.

Abstract: Videoendoscope including a distal endpiece, a laser source generating a laser beam and an optical formation device arranged to produce from the laser beam a calibrated light spot near a target of which the size is to be measured, wherein the laser source is housed in a distal endpiece, while the optical formation device is housed at least partially in a removable optical head that can be fitted on the distal endpiece.

Abstract: A wide-angle lens module includes a first lens and a second lens with negative refracting power, a third lens with positive refracting power, a fourth lens with negative refracting power, a fifth lens with positive refracting power, a sixth lens with positive refracting power, and a seventh lens with negative refracting power. The first lens, the second lens, the third lens, the fourth lens, the fifth lens, the sixth lens, and the seventh lens are disposed in order from an object side to an image side.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for harvesting selected vessels in the body of a patient include manual manipulation of a rigid dissecting endoscope and the reconfiguration thereof to facilitate tissue dissection and tissue dilation in the formation of an anatomical space about the vessel within which side-branch vessels may be manipulated in preparation for severance and removal of the vessel from the anatomical space.

Abstract: An in vivo device for sensing a lumen such as the GI tract, such as an in vivo imaging device or other sensing device, may include a substantially spherical housing and an oblong appendage attached to the housing. The appendage may be detached in vivo, for example in the stomach. The in vivo device may then roll and glide along a stomach wall to provide, for example, a smooth sampled image stream.

Abstract: A surface treatment is carried out on a surface of an inner circumferential die 53 among dies for forming a distal end cover of a capsule endoscope by irradiating ion beams from an ion source 55 of an ion implanter so that fine and random irregularities are generated on the surface of the inner circumferential die 53 to the extent that the surface of the inner circumferential die 53 is slightly roughened. Next, by forming the distal end cover that is a molded product by injection molding while combining this inner circumferential die 53 with other dies, a molding performance for molding the distal end cover is improved without hampering an imaging performance of the capsule endoscope.

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: An endoscope incorporates an objective optical system and an image sensor at its distal end and has light guides around the objective optical system. In this case, when a direction parallel to the major side of an imaging region of the image sensor is taken as a lateral direction, exit end faces of the light guides are arranged only in the lateral direction of the objective optical system, a top cover is placed opposite to the exit end faces, and an illumination light diffusing portion is provided at the position of the top cover opposite to the exit end faces. Whereby, the endoscope in which the small-diameter design of the distal end is attained and the loss of emergent light is minimized can be provided.