Abstract: An endoscopic observation means having least a couple of illumination means are provided at a distal end portion of an endoscopic insertion instrument, the illumination means being on the opposite sides of and substantially on the same plane as an optical image pickup means. Each one of the illumination means includes a light guide for transmitting on illumination light from a light source, and an illumination lens for dispersing illumination light over an imaging area of a subject under observation. Further, the endoscopic observation means includes an objective lens system having a variable observation distance. The illumination means on the opposite sides of the observation means are spaced apart from each other by such a distance as to hold illuminance in peripheral portions of an imaging area of the subject to a level not greater than 200%, preferably, in the range of 200% to 120% of an illuminance level in portions of the imaging area.

Abstract: The present invention is an electronic-endoscope light quantity controlling apparatus that can reduce costs by simplifying a configuration for setting a shielding period in executing an all-pixel reading system. This apparatus uses diaphragm controlling circuit to control a diaphragm so as to maintain the brightness of an image at a predetermined value. It completely closes the diaphragm to set the shielding period and uses this period to form a still image based on the all-pixel reading method. For a moving image, it forms an image signal using a pixel mix reading system at the output of an image pickup device. That is, for a still image, during the shielding period set by the diaphragm, odd-line signals are read out from all pixels obtained by a CCD during a single exposure within a {fraction (1/60)}-second period, and during the next period, even-line signals are read out from these pixels. Subsequently, a mixing circuit pixel-mixes these line signals into a field signal to form a high-quality still image.

Abstract: A device for controlling an amount of light of a lighting unit for use in an endoscope, used to view an image of an object. The device includes a light shield for shielding light generated by a light source and transmitted to the endoscope. A stepping motor drives the light shield for a series of predetermined time intervals. Brightness of the image is detected during each of the time intervals and a predetermined number of pulses are generated during each of the time intervals. An angular position of the light shielding system is determined and the phase of excitation of the motor is varied in response to the angular position. The pulses generated are used to drive the stepping motor in each of the plurality of time intervals.

Abstract: A device for controlling an amount of light of a lighting unit for use in an endoscope, used to view an image of an object. The device includes a light shield for shielding light generated by a light source and transmitted to the endoscope. A stepping motor drives the light shield for a series of predetermined time intervals. Brightness of the image is detected during each of the time intervals and pulses are generated during each of the time intervals motor hunting is detected. The number of pulses generated is determined in response to detection of hunting and when hunting is detected the number of pulses is reduced. The pulses generated are used to drive the stepping motor in each of the plurality of time intervals.

Abstract: A light source device for endoscopes includes a light source for emitting white light containing the components of light belonging to a visible region and wavelength bands other than the visible region; at least, a rotary color separating filter on a field sequential system; and an infrared cutoff filter for blocking light in an infrared region, of a wavelength band of the white light. When the rotary color separating filter is disposed in an optical path from the light source to a light guide, an interference filter in which an interference film is applied to a transparent base plate is placed in the optical path. This arrangement obviates the defect of burning the entrance end of the light guide or of breaking the infrared cutoff filter.

Abstract: In an electronic endoscope system for detecting an image of an object using a CCD, a brightness signal is generated based on the output of the CCD, and a histogram processing is applied to the brightness signal. An aperture size for regulating the amount of light emitted to an object to be viewed is controlled in accordance with the calculation based on the histogram data.

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

Abstract: A device for controlling an amount of light of a lighting unit for use in an endoscope, used to view an image of an object. The device includes a light shield for shielding light generated by a light source and transmitted to the endoscope. A stepping motor drives the light shield for a series of predetermined time intervals. Brightness of the image is detected during each of the time intervals and pulses are generated during each of the time intervals. The number of pulses generated is determined in accordance with a difference between the brightness of the image detected during each of the time intervals and a desired brightness of the image. The pulses generated are used to drive the stepping motor in each of the plurality of time intervals.

Abstract: A light adjustable endoscope is disclosed for use in combination with a standard fiberoptic illuminator having a light output port. The endoscope includes a scope portion and an apparatus interconnected between the illuminator and the scope for transmitting light to the scope and adjusting the intensity and/or color of that light.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus of the present invention comprises an endoscope with a built-in solid state imaging device at a distal end portion of an insertion tube and a distal end optical adapter detachably connected to the distal end portion of the insertion tube of the endoscope. At least one objective optical system is provided in said distal end optical adapter and an optical image formed on said solid state imaging device through the distal end optical adapter is displayed on a TV monitor through a control device.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes an imaging unit for converting an image of an object into an image signal, and an automatic amount-of-light setting circuit for setting an amount of light output from a light source apparatus on the basis of the image signal provided by the imaging unit. According to a setting signal sent from the automatic amount-of-light setting circuit, the amount of light output from the light source apparatus is adjusted. Aside from the automatic amount-of-light setting circuit, a device used to set an amount of light manually is included. The automatic amount-of-light setting circuit and manual amount-of-light setting device can be switched selectively by means of a switch. Consequently, a drawback of the automatic amount-of-light setting circuit occurring when the endoscope is removed from a human body, that is, the drawback that when control is given for lowering the level of the image signal, the amount of light is increased will not take place.

Abstract: A portable endoscope having a control part containing an entrance end portion of a light guide for transmitting light for illuminating an object, and an illuminating light supply unit containing a light source lamp for supplying illuminating light to the light guide. A connecting mechanism detachably connects the control part and the light supply unit. A switch for turning on/off the light source lamp is provided in the connecting mechanism. When the light supply unit is connected to the control part in a predetermined state, the switch is turned on; when the former is detached from the latter, the switch is turned off. An electric resistor may be provided for gradually reducing the electric resistance between the lamp and a power supply therefor from a high-resistance state to a low-resistance state as the switch is moved from an OFF position toward an ON position.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for endoscopes includes an endoscope relaying an object image through an observing optical system, and an imaging section removably mounted to the rearmost end of the endoscope, including a stop unit provided with a variable stop capable of changing an aperture size thereof, an imaging lens system, a focus lens system, and an image sensor. The relative positions of the variable stop, the imaging lens system, and the image sensor are constant, and the focus lens system can be moved along the optical axis of the imaging section. In this way, the imaging apparatus for endoscopes can be provided which is simple in structure, small in size, and low in cost.

Abstract: A microsurgical laser probe used primarily in endoscopic surgery in which the pattern of laser light projected by the probe is improved from a pattern having areas of varying light intensity to a pattern of more uniform light intensity.

Abstract: A light source device for an endoscope provided with a noncircular opening which is capable of stabilizing the rate of change of the quantity of illuminating light with the quantity of movement of the stop blade and thereby preventing the hunting phenomenon of the stop blade in close-up or the like. The device comprises: a gate portion with a noncircular opening for linearly changing the quantity of light from the light source formed therein; a stop blade for controlling the quantity of light passing through the noncircular opening of the gate portion; and a motor for driving the stop blade. The noncircular opening has two V-shaped portions having different opening angles. The stop blade is provided with a circular auxiliary opening for passing part of the light therethrough.

Abstract: An illumination light control for an endoscope having an illumination window side by side with an observation window at the distal end of a catheter-like flexible insertion rod member of the endoscope, along with a light guide extended through the insertion rod member down to the illumination window to irradiate a subject under observation through the observation window. A window blockage sensor is located within the illumination window to detect existence of an intracavitary wall or other blocking obstacles in abnormal nearness of the illumination window by way of light reflection from the blocking obstacle.

Abstract: A laparoscope is constructed with a plug-in module containing video processing circuitry and coupled through a flexible umbilical to a rigid or partly rigid insertion tube that contains a miniature video camera. A fiber optic bundle for illumination has a bifurcated proximal end with two portions each terminating in respective sleeves that project from the module. The sleeve projects from the module. The sleeves position the illumination bundle portions at the focussed spot of light produced by respective low-power metal halide discharge lamps. A rotary vane shutter is servo controlled to limit the amount of light entering the fiber optic bundle so that the monitor video picture is kept at a constant level. The metal sleeve for the fiber optic bundle ends serve as grounding elements, and are coupled by a grounding pigtail within the module to a ground conductor in the umbilical. A test opening with a threaded plug serves as a pressure test port.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variable attenuator for an optical transmission system having a disc-like masking plate with apertures (or image zones) formed in an arcuate control area at the periphery of the plate. Within each aperture, at least one opaque masking member is provided extending outward from the origin to the perimeter of the aperture and having a masking surface with an incremental masking area which continuously increases in magnitude with increasing radial length of the aperture. The perpendicular cross-section of each masking member with respect to the optical axis preferably forms a geometric shape having straight-line edges extending radially outward from the origin of the aperture. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of masking members are utilized (as a pair or sets of pairs).