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OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.

OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP. Patent applications
Patent application numberTitlePublished
20120031506ENDOSCOPE CLEANING/DISINFECTING APPARATUS CONNECTOR AND ENDOSCOPE CLEANING/DISINFECTING APPARATUS - An endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus connector according to the present invention includes a cleaning/disinfecting apparatus connection section, a circulating section and a discharge section, wherein the discharge section communicates with the circulating section and includes a first channel that discharges a fluid R that passes through the circulating section into a pipe sleeve, a second channel that branches from the first channel and discharges the fluid R to the periphery of the pipe sleeve, and an opening/closing section that is provided in a branch section that branches from the first channel to the second channel or in the second channel, is freely expandable/contractible according to a flow rate of a fluid and blocks the second channel when the flow rate of the fluid is a predetermined amount or higher.02-09-2012
20120029507ENDOSCOPIC TREATMENT TOOL - Provided is an endoscope treatment tool including: a pair of clamp members that is supported by a clamp rotary shaft to be relatively rotatable; an operation section that is used to open and close the pair of clamp members; an operation wire that connects the pair of clamp members to the operation section; a connection member that is provided at the front end of the operation wire and includes at least one link rotary shaft; a pair of link members of which a first end is rotatably connected to each end of the pair of clamp members and a second end is rotatably connected to the link rotary shaft; and a regulation portion that regulates the connection member and the operation wire in a relative movement direction with respect to the clamp rotary shaft, wherein the connection member includes a groove formed to be parallel to the axis of the operation wire, and wherein the regulation portion engages with the groove to regulate the connection member and the operation wire in the relative movement direction.02-02-2012
20120029395ULTRASOUND OPERATION SYSTEM AND SURGICAL TREATMENT INSTRUMENT - An ultrasound operation system includes an output transformer, a hand piece including an object to be driven including an ultrasound transducer which is driven by the output transformer and a treatment portion which is connected to the ultrasound transducer to perform treatment of a living tissue by an ultrasound vibration generated in the ultrasound transducer, and an amplitude regulating portion which is provided between the output transformer and the object to be driven, and perform regulation of an amplitude of the ultrasound transducer by diverting a current which flows into the ultrasound transducer from the output transformer in accordance with a state of a load exerted on the treatment portion and regulating an amount of a current which flows into the ultrasound transducer.02-02-2012
20120029278Implant placement device, coupling support, and endoscopic treatment tool - An implant placement device includes a sheath; a long-axis member having an opening on a distal end side, movable along an axis, and a lumen communicating with the opening; a stylet movable in the axis and provided within the lumen to be turnable around the axis; an operating part on a proximal end side of the stylet to turn the stylet around the axis; a guide part on the proximal end side of the sheath to guide the operating part in a predetermined direction, thereby moving the sheath in the axis with respect to the stylet and turning a distal end portion of the stylet around the axis; and a coupling portion formed at the distal end of the stylet, detachably coupled with an implant, and moving in the axis and turning around the axis along with the stylet and the implant according to an operation of the operating part.02-02-2012
20120022509TREATMENT APPARATUS - A treatment apparatus includes a rotor which is provided between a distal-end treatment section and a flexible tube section and which is rotatable together with the distal-end treatment section in the periaxial directions with respect to the flexible tube section, a rotational operation wire which is configured to be pulled or loosened by a rotational operation section to rotate the distal-end treatment section, and a wire fixing portion which is provided to the rotor or to a part to the distal-end direction side of the rotor and to which a distal end of the rotational operation wire is fixed. The treatment apparatus includes a direction change portion which is configured to change an extending direction of the rotational operation wire extended on an outer peripheral surface of the rotor from the wire fixing portion, and configured to lead out the rotational operation wire to the rotational operation section.01-26-2012
20120022359CAPSULE MEDICAL DEVICE GUIDANCE SYSTEM - A capsule medical device guidance system includes a capsule medical device including a magnetic field responding unit and introduced into a subject, a magnetic field generator that generates a magnetic field for the responding unit to guide the device; an operation input unit for inputting operation information for magnetically guiding the device; a storage unit that stores position/posture information about position or posture of the device in an guidance region; an input unit for inputting setting instruction information for setting the position/posture information as a mark indicating a position to which the device is returned in the region, and return instruction information for returning the device to the mark; and a control unit that controls the generator to guide the device based on the operation information, and makes the generator generate the magnetic field to the mark based on the stored position/posture information in response to the return instruction information.01-26-2012
20120022342CAPSULE MEDICAL APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING CAPSULE MEDICAL APPARATUS - A capsule medical apparatus includes a capsule-shaped casing; a plurality of function executing units that are housed in the casing and execute predetermined functions; an adjuster that is formed as a separate unit from the function executing units to adjust a value of a physical parameter which determines a density of the casing in which the plurality of function executing units are housed to a target value set in advance; and a supporter that supports the adjuster in the casing.01-26-2012
20120016198MEDICAL APPARATUS - A medical apparatus configured to be introduced into a body, includes: an image pickup apparatus for picking up an image in the body; a cable extended from the image pickup apparatus, and configured to transmit and receive a signal or power to and from an external device, the cable being pulled out from inside to outside the body through a body wall; an electric terminal portion disposed at an end portion of the cable, which includes an electric contact and is configured to be electrically connected to the external device; a cover body which is configured to cover at least the electric contact and to be adhered watertightly to the electric terminal portion with a predetermined strength, the cover body being grasped when the cable is pulled out from inside to outside the body; and an easy-peel portion for detaching the cover body from the electric terminal portion.01-19-2012
20120016190ENDOSCOPE TREATMENT INSTRUMENT - In this treatment tool for endoscope, a sheath includes, at the distal end thereof, a tubular extended part having a predetermined thickness in the radially outward direction from an inner peripheral face of a first hole and extending further to the distal-end side, and a passive electrode is disposed such as to surround the outer periphery of the extended part.01-19-2012
20120010480IN-VIVO INFORMATION ACQUIRING SYSTEM - An in-vivo information acquiring system includes a body-insertable apparatus that includes a magnetic field responding unit, acquires in-vivo information, and transmits the in-vivo information to the outside; a magnetic field generator that generates a magnetic field for the responding unit; a magnetic field control unit that controls a generation of the magnetic field; a receiving unit that receives the in-vivo information transmitted from the apparatus; a processing unit that processes the in-vivo information; a display unit that displays the processed in-vivo information on a screen; an alarm lamp that notifies a generation state of the magnetic field; and a control unit that controls light emission process of the lamp such that an operator who visually identifies the in-vivo information is less disturbed by the light. The control unit performs control such that the lamp emits light upon no magnetic field and stops the generation of light upon the magnetic field.01-12-2012
20120010460TISSUE DISPLACING METHOD - An organ displacing method implemented for performing a procedure in a patient's body cavity, the method includes a gravitational movement step in which the body position of the patient is changed, whereby surrounding organs adjacent to a hollow organ are moved in a primary direction by gravity; and a non-gravitational movement step in which, by using a medical instrument inserted into the hollow organ, the hollow organ is moved in a secondary direction where the hollow organ is separated from the surrounding organs.01-12-2012
20120006337BIOLOGICAL TISSUE TRANSFER METHOD AND BIOLOGICAL TISSUE TREATMENT METHOD - The present application relates to a biological tissue transfer method for transferring a biological target tissue within the body, the method comprising: (a) attaching part of a first traction member to a first position which is different from a connecting position at which the target tissue is connected to other biological tissue; (b) attaching part of a second traction member to a second position which serves as the apex of a triangle formed together with the connecting position and the first position that surrounds the target site; (c) extending the first traction member in the direction from the connecting position to the first position, and extending the second traction member in the direction from the connecting position to the second position; and (d) transferring the target tissue within the body by applying traction on the first traction member and the second traction member respectively.01-12-2012
20110319709TREATMENT DEVICE FOR ENDOSCOPE - A treatment device for an endoscope includes an operating wire having a treatment section at a distal end thereof, a first sheath through which the operating wire is inserted, a second sheath into which the first sheath is inserted, a locking portion provided in the treatment section to advance or retreat, a first stopper that regulates advance movement of the locking portion, a second stopper that regulates retreat movement of the locking portion, and a sheath operating portion that advances or retreats the second sheath between a first positional relationship and a second positional relationship. The first stopper is provided in the first sheath via a connecting portion that extends toward the front side from a distal end of the first sheath, and the second stopper is provided in the second sheath on the rear side of the first stopper in the direction of the axis.12-29-2011
20110313251ENDOSCOPE BENDING PORTION AND MANUFACTURING METHOD OF BENDING TUBE - Each of the first hinge portions includes a first central planar portion, and first both-sides planar portion, and each of second hinge portions includes a second central planar portion, and second both-sides planar portion which is arranged on the same plane as the first both-sides planar portion. At least one of each first hinge portion and each second hinge portion includes/include an axial step portion which is provided between the first central planar portion and the first both-sides planar portion and/or between the second central planar portion and the second both-sides planar portion over the entire length of the nodal ring in the longitudinal direction and allows/allow the first central planar portion to be arranged to an outer peripheral side than the second central planar portion by a distance corresponding to a wall thickness of the nodal ring.12-22-2011
20110313246TREATMENT INSTRUMENT FOR ENDOSCOPE AND METHOD OF HARVESTING LYMPH NODE - A treatment instrument for endoscope of the present invention includes a puncture needle having a barb. A lymph node removing method of the present invention includes: an insertion step, wherein an endoscope has an insertable insertion portion which is inserted into an esophagus or a trachea being a lumen inside the body of a subject; the step of inserting a distal end portion arranged at the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope into the lumen; a confirmation step of confirming the position of a mediastinal lymph node by performing ultrasound scanning using an ultrasound transducer arranged at the distal end portion; an anchoring step of placing an anchoring device which has been inserted through a channel inside the insertion portion of the endoscope, on the mediastinal lymph node by performing the ultrasound scanning; a incision step of cutting a wall of the lumen to make a fistula; and a drawing-in step of drawing the mediastinal lymph node into the lumen with the anchoring device.12-22-2011
20110311124MEDICAL INSTRUMENT AND MEDICAL INSTRUMENT CONTROL METHOD - A navigation apparatus includes: a storage portion that stores three-dimensional image data of an examinee that is previously acquired; an organ extracting portion that extracts a predetermined organ from the three-dimensional image data; a first region designating portion that designates a tumor in the three-dimensional image data; a blood vessel extracting portion that extracts a plurality of blood vessels that are inside the organ from the three-dimensional image data; a blood vessel classifying portion that classifies the blood vessels into either arteries or veins; and a second region extracting portion that, based on three-dimensional image information of the blood vessels, extracts a tumor resection region that is a region that is classified based on anatomical features of the organ and that includes a tumor.12-22-2011
20110301416MEDICAL TREATMENT ENDOSCOPE - The medical treatment endoscope according to the present invention includes a sheath having a flexibility; at least one arm member having a bending part that projects out from a front end of the sheath and performs bending actions; an open/close mechanism which directs the arm member from a direction along a central axis of the sheath to a direction deviated from the central axis of the sheath, and from a direction deviated from the central axis of the sheath to a direction along the central axis of the sheath; and a viewing device and an illuminating member that are disposed to the front end side of the sheath.12-08-2011
20110301415ENDOSCOPIC SYSTEM THAT USES OVERTUBE - With a first endoscope inserted through an overtube, the overtube is orally inserted into an object being examined, and a distal end portion of an insertion tube of the first endoscope is made to advance, within the object, from a jejunum via a jejunum-to-jejunum anastomosed portion and a jejunum-anastomosed bent portion so that the distal end portion is located adjacently to a Vater's papilla of a duodenum. The overtube is then sent to a position which is adjacent to the Vater's papilla along the insertion tube of the first endoscope. After this, the first endoscope is pulled from the overtube. A second endoscope is then inserted into the overtube to make a distal end portion of its insertion tube protrude from the distal end of the overtube and is located adjacently to the Vater's papilla. The second endoscope thus-approached is used to treat the Vater's papilla and the tissue therearound.12-08-2011
20110295069ENDOSCOPE - An endoscope includes an elongated insertion portion inserted in a subject; a bending portion including an independently bendable first bending part and a second bending part bendable together with the first bending part in the same direction as a bending direction of the first bending part; a flexible tube portion; a first wire inserted through the insertion portion and having a distal end fixed to a distal end of the first bending part; a first guide pipe through which the first wire is inserted so as to be advanceable/retractable with respect to an insertion direction S, which has a distal end fixed between the bending portion and the flexible tube portion; a second wire inserted in the insertion portion and having a distal end fixed between the first and second bending parts, which causes the second bending part to be rigid when pulled; and a second guide pipe.12-01-2011
20110295064IMAGE PICKUP UNIT - An image pickup unit includes a board to which an image pickup device is electrically connected, the board is provided with a first terminal portion which includes a plurality of terminals and is used when a first endoscope is configured, and a second terminal portion which includes a plurality of terminals and is used when a second endoscope is configured, a folding portion is provided between the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion of the board, when the board is used as an image pickup unit of the second endoscope, the board is folded at the folding portion, and a signal transmission member is connected to the second terminal portion, and at least one of a terminal size and a space between terminals in the second terminal portion is set to be larger than at least one of a terminal size and a terminal space in the first terminal portion.12-01-2011
20110295063MEDICAL SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD - A medical system includes a movable portion configured to allow an angle to be changed within a predetermined angular range, an actuator configured to drive the movable portion so as to change the angle of the movable portion when a wire is pulled, a control unit configured to perform drive control of the actuator, a slack detection unit configured to detect a driving condition as to whether or not the wire is slack, a slack adjustment unit configured to adjust slack of the wire based on a detection result produced by the slack detection unit; and a slack adjustment command input unit used to input a command to adjust the slack of the wire, wherein the slack adjustment unit adjusts the slack of the wire to a predetermined state of adjustment in response to the command to adjust the slack of the wire.12-01-2011
20110292196CAPSULE MEDICAL DEVICE GUIDANCE SYSTEM - A capsule medical device guidance system including a magnetic field generator that generates either a trapping magnetic field that attracts a magnetic field response unit at any position on a horizontal plane and traps a capsule medical device or a gradient magnetic field that has a substantially uniform magnetic field gradient and forces the magnetic field response unit. When the control unit switches the magnetic field from the trapping magnetic field to the gradient magnetic field, a control unit causes a storage unit to store a generation position on the horizontal plane, and when the control unit switches a magnetic field from the gradient magnetic field to the trapping magnetic field, the control unit causes the magnetic field generator to generate the trapping magnetic field at the position stored in the storage unit.12-01-2011
20110288885MEDICAL SERVICE SUPPORT APPARATUS - A recording unit holds a plurality of examination data including the examination date of a performed examination. A search unit extracts examination data matching a set condition, of the plurality of examination data held in the recording unit. An output unit outputs a search result by the search unit. A first narrowing unit extracts examination data in which the examination date is included within a designated first period. A reference data determination unit classifies the examination data extracted by the first narrowing unit by an examinee and determines, for every examinee, one piece of the examination data to be a reference in accordance with a predetermined rule. A second narrowing unit sets, for every examinee, a second period designated in at least one of the past direction and the future direction starting from a reference date that is the examination date of the examination data determined by the reference data determination unit and extracts examination data in which the examination date is included within the second period.11-24-2011
20110288536MEDICAL MANIPULATOR - The medical manipulator includes an arm formed in a tubular shape having a bending portion capable of bending; an insertion portion that is formed having channels, with the base end of the arm being connected to the distal end of the insertion portion so that lumens of the arm and the channels are in communication; an operation portion for operating the bending portion; and transmission members that are capable of advancing and retracting in a longitudinal direction with respect to the insertion portion such that a movement of the operation portion is transmitted to the bending portion and the bending portion is bent and that connect the bending portion and the operation portion; an opening portion provided at the operation portion and communicated with the channel; and a guide member that guides the movement of the operation portion within a predetermined range and that holds the transmission members to prevent the transmission members from moving in the longitudinal direction with respect to the movement of the operation portion within a portion of the predetermined range.11-24-2011
20110288451MEDICAL APPARATUS AND SURGICAL TREATMENT INSTRUMENT - A medical apparatus has a first device, a second device, a cable, a connection signal output portion and a main body apparatus. The first device includes a grasping portion, a probe connected to the grasping portion and capable of transmitting at least one of an ultrasound vibration and a high-frequency current, and a treatment portion provided at a distal end portion of the probe and for transmitting at least one of the ultrasound vibration and the high-frequency current transmitted by the probe, to living tissue. A second device includes a jaw member for holding living tissue between the treatment portion and the jaw member, a movable handle for holding the living tissue by moving the jaw member toward the treatment portion, and a recessed portion for being attachably and detachably engaged with the first device. The connection signal output portion outputs a connection signal indicating that the first device is connected to the recessed portion of the second device. The main body apparatus controls output of a drive signal for supplying at least one of an ultrasound vibration and a high-frequency current to the first device.11-24-2011
20110288375ENDOSCOPE - An endoscope is provided that includes: an insertion portion; a bending portion having an independently bendable first bending region, and a second bending region that is bendable in the same direction as a bending direction of the first bending region together with the first bending region; a flexible tube portion; a first wire that, when pulled, causes only the first bending region to bend; a first guide pipe through which the first wire is inserted, and which has a distal end that is fixed to an intermediate pipe sleeve; a second wire that, when pulled, causes the second bending region to bend in conjunction with bending of the first bending region; and a second guide pipe through which the second wire is inserted, and which has one part that is fixed to a connecting pipe sleeve, and has a distal end that is positioned inside the second bending region in a condition in which the distal end protrudes forward by a first length from a distal end of the flexible tube portion in a non-fixed state.11-24-2011
20110288371ENDOSCOPE DEVICE - An endoscope device includes a treatment instrument, the treatment instrument including a treatment instrument body, a distal treatment portion provided in a distal direction side to the treatment instrument body, and a rotary joint portion configured to rotate the distal treatment portion around an axis relative to the treatment instrument body, and an inner peripheral surface which is provided in the endoscope or in a tubular member separate from the endoscope and which defines a treatment instrument insertion passage to insert the treatment instrument. The endoscope device includes a frictional force application portion configured to apply frictional force to a contact portion between a distal direction side part of the inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface in a distal direction side part of the treatment instrument body when the treatment instrument body is rotated around the axis relative to the endoscope.11-24-2011
20110286536TRANSMITTING APPARATUS, BODY-INSERTABLE APPARATUS, AND TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING SYSTEM - A transmitting apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives an external specifying signal for specifying a center frequency of data to be transmitted; a control unit that outputs a specifying signal corresponding to the center frequency; and a frequency switching circuit. The frequency switching circuit includes a center frequency adjuster that adjusts a center frequency of a carrier wave that carries the data to be transmitted; a frequency modulator that modulates a frequency of the carrier wave according to the center frequency and the data to be transmitted; and a frequency switching unit that switches the center frequency of the carrier wave on the basis of the specifying signal.11-24-2011
20110285835RECEIVER SYSTEM - An object is to provide a receiver system that allows a plurality of antennas to be easily attached onto a body surface without losing receiving functions of the antennas while improving freedom for a living body. A receiver system transmits in-vivo information including in-vivo images received from a capsule endoscope being the interior of a subject to an exterior receiving device via a plurality of wireless relay devices. Each of the wireless relay devices includes a receiving unit that receives the in-vivo information from the capsule endoscope at a first frequency, a transmitting unit that transmits the in-vivo information at a second frequency, a receiving unit that receives a control signal transmitted by the receiving device at the second frequency, and a control unit that controls transmissions and receptions performed by the receiving unit and the transmitting unit based on the control signal.11-24-2011
20110282209ULTRASOUND OBSERVATION APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD OF ULTRASOUND OBSERVATION APPARATUS - An ultrasound observation apparatus of the invention includes: an ultrasound probe portion capable of two-dimensional scanning of an ultrasound beam; a transmission/reception control section for controlling a transmission/reception direction of the ultrasound beam by the ultrasound probe portion; a B-mode image calculation section for generating a B-mode image on a scanning plane based on a result of scanning of the ultrasound beam; a storage section for storing a predetermined sample image determined according to a shape of a treatment instrument in a case where a central axis of the treatment instrument for performing a treatment on a subject and the scanning plane agree with each other; and a correlation calculation section for calculating a correlation value between the B-mode image and the sample image, wherein the transmission/reception control section moves the scanning plane such that the correlation value becomes the maximum.11-17-2011
20110282165CAPSULE MEDICAL DEVICE GUIDANCE SYSTEM - A system includes a capsule body having a casing introduced into a subject to perform, in liquid, examination of or treatment on the interior of the subject, the casing containing a permanent magnet, a mass of the casing excluding the magnet being set to be less than a product of a volume of the casing and a density of the liquid; a magnetic field generator that generates a magnetic attraction for the magnet to guide the capsule body; and a magnetic field generation device that controls the magnetic field generator to generate the magnetic attraction by setting a maximum value of the generated magnetic attraction vertically upward to the capsule body, to be equal to a maximum value of the generated magnetic attraction vertically downward to the capsule body, and by setting the maximum values to be less than a value obtained by multiplying a mass of the magnet by a gravitational acceleration.11-17-2011
20110282155ENDOSCOPE - 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 light arranged in the groove portion; and a transparent infill filled between the plurality of particles.11-17-2011
20110282154MEDICAL APPARATUS - A medical apparatus includes a bending portion that is bent via a pulled wire, a drive section that pulls the wire, a detection section and a drive force amount detection section that detect an amount of drive of the drive section and an amount of drive force, a storage section that stores information on a correlation of the amount of drive force and the amount of drive of the drive section beforehand, a bending amount detection section that detects the amount of bending of the bending portion based on the amount of drive and the amount of drive force, and the information of the storage section, a judgment section that judges the presence or absence of looseness of the wire from a detection result of the drive force amount detection section and a correction section that corrects the amount of drive by the drive section based on a judgment result of the judgment section.11-17-2011
20110282153INSERTION INSTRUMENT ENDOSCOPE - An insertion instrument and an endoscope are provided that include: a bending portion provided in an insertion portion; a flexible tube portion connected in series to a proximal end side of the bending portion; an inside guide pipe provided inside the insertion portion, and inside which a wire is inserted to freely advance and retract; and an outside guide pipe provided inside the insertion portion, and inside which the inside guide pipe is inserted to freely advance and retract. Inside the insertion portion, a distal end of the inside guide pipe is fixed to a midway position of the bending portion, and a proximal end of the inside guide pipe is configured to be switchable between a fixed state and a non-fixed state. Further, inside the insertion portion, a distal end of the outside guide pipe is fixed to a distal end of a flexible tube portion, and a proximal end thereof is fixed at a more rearward position than the flexible tube portion.11-17-2011
20110282148ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS AND ENDOSCOPE - An endoscope includes a side viewing observation section and a forward viewing observation section provided on a distal end side of an insertion portion which is inserted into an observation target for acquiring subject images of an observation target in a circumferential direction and an insertion direction of the insertion portion, respectively, a shielding section located within a viewing field of the side viewing observation section for shielding light from the subject entering the side viewing observation section and a protruding member protruding from the insertion portion arranged in a shielding region formed by the shielding section.11-17-2011
20110279268MEDICAL APPARATUS - An ultrasound output apparatus includes: a priority level judgment section for judging a priority level for preferentially notifying a user of a plurality of abnormalities that occur in the plurality of handpieces; a display control section for causing a display section to display abnormality information whose priority level judged by the priority level judgment section is high; and a priority level changing section, which upon detecting an occurrence of an abnormality from a handpiece, which is different from the handpiece in which the abnormality information being displayed on the display section is originated, causes abnormality information from the hand piece to be displayed on the display section in place of the abnormality information being displayed on the display section regardless of the priority level of the abnormality.11-17-2011
20110275898Biological measurement apparatus, biological observation apparatus and operation method for biological measurement apparatus - A biological measurement apparatus includes: an endoscope including a treatment instrument insertion channel provided inside an insertion portion; a pump that delivers water into the treatment instrument insertion channel; an optical system, etc., that guide light from a light source that emits light in a predetermined wavelength band into the water delivered into the treatment instrument insertion channel; and a spectroscope that detects return light resulting from the light passing through the water, falling on and being reflected by an object and returning while passing through the water when the water is delivered from the pump.11-10-2011
20110275897LENS DRIVE CONTROL APPARATUS, LENS DRIVE APPARATUS AND ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - A lens drive control apparatus of the present invention controls a lens drive system that has a lens frame that holds a lens so as to be movable forward and backward in an optical axis direction of an optical lens, and a transmitting member that transmits to the lens frame a driving force generated by a strain deformation of a shape memory alloy member that exhibits a predetermined hysteresis characteristic between a temperature and an amount of deformation. The lens drive control apparatus includes a control section that, at a timing at which an instruction that causes the lens frame to move forward or backward stops, performs control that changes a temperature of the shape memory alloy member to a temperature belonging to a dead zone of the predetermined hysteresis characteristic.11-10-2011
20110275896ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS AND BENDING DRIVE CONTROL METHOD - An endoscope apparatus includes: an insertion portion including a bending portion provided on a distal end side thereof; a bending drive section that drives bending of the bending portion; an insertion shape detection section that detects an insertion shape of the distal end side of the insertion portion as insertion shape information; a curved state detection section that detects a curved state based on the insertion shape information as curve information; a plane calculation section that performs a calculation to estimate a plane for driving bending of the bending portion from the detected curve information; and a bending control section that drives bending of the bending drive section along the estimated plane.11-10-2011
20110275893CAPSULE MEDICAL DEVICE GUIDANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GUIDING CAPSULE MEDICAL DEVICE - A capsule medical device guidance system includes a capsule medical device including an imaging unit that captures an in-vivo image of the subject, a transmitting unit that transmits the captured image to an outside, and a magnetic field response unit; a magnetic field generation unit that generates a magnetic field for the response unit to magnetically guide the capsule medical device; a receiving unit that receives the transmitted in-vivo image; a display unit that displays the received in-vivo image; an operation input unit that inputs operation information for magnetically guiding the capsule medical device; a control unit that controls the magnetic field generation unit to guide the capsule medical device in accordance with the operation information; and a selection unit that selects one combination from among combinations that combine at least two of a liquid surface that is an upper boundary surface between a liquid inside the subject and the outside, a submerged area, and a liquid bottom that is a lower boundary surface between the liquid and the outside as guidance areas into which the capsule medical device is guided. The control unit switches the magnetic field to be generated by the magnetic field generation unit in accordance with the selected guidance area.11-10-2011
20110275892ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - An endoscope apparatus includes an insertion portion to be inserted into a subject, a bendable bending portion provided in a distal end side of the insertion portion, a bending driving section that drives the bending of the bending portion, and a bending driving control section that controls the bending driving section based on an inputted control signal to cause a distal end of the bending portion to make a turning motion with respect to a proximal end thereof.11-10-2011
20110275889ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - An endoscope system of the present invention comprises: an endoscope which acquires a front field-of-view image and a lateral field-of-view image of an object of observation; a detecting section which has a function capable of detecting whether a treatment instrument is used or not in the endoscope based on a notification signal which is outputted when the treatment instrument is inserted into the endoscope; and an image processing section which generates an observation image including the front field-of-view image and the lateral field-of-view image within the same screen, displays a magnified image of one field-of-view image out of the front field-of-view image and the lateral field-of-view image on a display section, and performs adjacent part display processing of displaying only a part of the one field-of-view image which is adjacent to the other field-of-view image or image compression processing of displaying a compressed image of the other field-of-view image on the display section.11-10-2011
20110273549ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - An endoscope system of the present invention has an endoscope which acquires a direct-view field of view image and a side-view field of view image of an object to be observed, a light source apparatus which supplies an illuminating light for illuminating the object to be observed, a detection section which detects a change of a physical quantity with respect to movement of an insertion section provided at the endoscope, which occurs due to an operation of the endoscope, an image processing unit which generates and outputs a video signal including the direct-view field of view image and the side-view field of view image in a same screen, and a light adjustment area selection section which detects a brightness of the direct-view field of view image and a brightness of the side-view field of view image individually, selects a field of view image corresponding to a moving direction in which the change of the physical quantity increases out of the direct-view field of view image and the side-view field of view image as a light adjustment target based on a detection result of the detection section, and performs control so as to make a luminance of the field of view image selected as the light adjustment target relatively higher than a luminance of the other field of view image.11-10-2011
20110273548CAPSULE ENDOSCOPE DEVICE - A capsule endoscope device includes an illumination unit that illuminates a living tissue using at least one of a white light illumination unit and a special light illumination unit; an imaging unit that captures an image of the tissue; a transmission unit that transmits imaging information containing the image; a storage unit that stores a threshold with respect to information on a distance between the endoscope and the tissue; a detection unit that detects the information; and an output unit that compares the information with the threshold, selects an image capturing condition of a special light observation mode if the distance is not larger than the threshold, selects an image capturing condition of a normal light observation mode if the distance is larger than the threshold, and outputs the selected image capturing condition to an operation unit related to image capturing.11-10-2011
20110273465OUTPUT CONTROL APPARATUS OF MEDICAL DEVICE - An ultrasound output apparatus includes a first output connector for connecting a first handpiece, a second output connector arranged neighboring the first output connector for connecting a second handpiece, an HP connector connection detection circuit that detects that the first and second handpieces are connected to the first and second output connectors respectively, a display section provided with first and second display screens for displaying setting information of the first and second handpieces at predetermined positions according to an array of the first output connector and the second output connector and a GUI control section that controls a number of partitions of the display section according to connection statuses of the first and second handpieces so as to display, when the HP connector connection detection circuit detects that the first and second handpieces are connected to the first and second output connectors, setting information of the first and second handpieces on the first and second display screens, display, when the HP connector connection detection circuit detects that only the first handpiece is connected to the first output connector, the setting information of the first handpiece on the entire display section and display, when the HP connector connection detection circuit detects that only the second handpiece is connected to the second output connector, the setting information of the second handpiece on the entire display section, and performs a display reflecting the connection status of the HP connector connection detection circuit.11-10-2011
20110270070LIVING BODY OBSERVATION APPARATUS - A living body observation apparatus irradiates a predetermined region inside a living body with ultrasound, irradiates the predetermined region, which is irradiated with the ultrasound, with a light of a predetermined frequency, and detects a scattered light with a frequency shifted by ultrasound vibration in a living body constituent substance included in the predetermined region. The living body observation apparatus calculates velocity information of the living body constituent substance from a frequency shift amount in a detection signal of the scattered light, calculates a density of the living body constituent substance from the velocity information, and performs discrimination of a state of the living body constituent substance by using a value of the calculated density. The living body observation apparatus further stores velocity information measured in advance in an organ or the like composing a living body and corresponding density information by linking the velocity information and the density information with each other.11-03-2011
20110270035ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - An endoscope apparatus of the invention includes: an endoscope including an objective optical system capable of changing an observation magnification; a light source device capable of selectively emitting broadband light including a visible light region and narrow-band lights of a plurality of wavelength bands obtained by discretizing light in the visible light region; an observation magnification changing instruction section for issuing a magnification changing instruction for gradually increasing or decreasing the observation magnification of the objective optical system; and a mode switching section for switching the light emitted from the light source device from the broadband light to the narrow-band lights of the plurality of wavelength bands when detecting that the observation magnification gradually increases to reach a predetermined observation magnification based on the magnification changing instruction.11-03-2011
20110268611LIQUID-MIXING APPARATUS, CHEMICAL TESTING APPARATUS, AND ENDOSCOPE PROCESSING APPARATUS - A liquid mixing apparatus of the present invention includes: a first tank; a first introduction section that introduces a first liquid into the first tank; a second introduction section that introduces a second liquid into the first tank; a first opening portion provided above a highest liquid level of the first tank; a second tank; a third introduction section that introduces a third liquid into the second tank; a second opening portion provided above a highest liquid level of the second tank; a liquid transfer conduit that connects a bottom surface portion of the first tank and a bottom surface portion of the second tank; an opening/closing valve provided in the liquid transfer conduit; a gas transfer conduit having one end arranged above the highest liquid level in the first tank and another end arranged above the highest liquid level in the second tank; a pump capable of forward/reverse operation that can transfer a gas in two directions inside the gas transfer conduit; and an atmospheric release control section that controls opening and closing of the first opening portion and the second opening portion.11-03-2011
20110267493FLUORESCENCE OBSERVATION APPARATUS - A fluorescence observation apparatus of the present invention includes a light source section that can emit a plurality of excitation light beams for exciting a plurality of fluorescent substances and a reference light, an image pickup section that picks up images of a plurality of fluorescent light beams emitted by emitting the plurality of excitation light beams to the plurality of fluorescent substances and reflected light of the reference light, an image generation section that generates image signals corresponding to the plurality of fluorescent light beams and the reflected light of the reference light whose images have been picked up by the image pickup section, and an image processing section that assigns a plurality of fluorescent light images related to image signals corresponding to the plurality of fluorescent light beams and a reference light image related to an image signal corresponding to the reflected light of the reference light to a plurality of color channels respectively and outputs the resulting image as a synthesized image, wherein the image generation section generates an image signal in which the one fluorescent light image and the synthesized image are arranged side by side on a same screen, and the image processing section calculates, when a color tone operation is performed on any one of the plurality of image signals generated by the image generation section, a color tone adjustment coefficient for achieving color tone balance with image signals other than the image signal subjected to the color tone operation and performs color tone calculation processing on the image signals to be assigned to the plurality of color channels using the calculated color tone adjustment coefficient.11-03-2011
20110267458FLUORESCENCE OBSERVATION DEVICE - A fluorescence observation apparatus according to the present invention includes a light source section that can emit a plurality of excitation light beams for exciting a plurality of fluorescent substances and a reference light, an image pickup section that picks up images of a plurality of fluorescent light beams emitted by emitting the plurality of excitation light beams to the plurality of fluorescent substances and reflected light of the reference light, an image generation section that generates an image signal corresponding to the plurality of fluorescent light beams and the reflected light of the reference light whose images are picked up by the image pickup section, a brightness detection section that detects brightness of a plurality of image signals corresponding to the plurality of fluorescent light beams and brightness of an image signal corresponding to the reflected light of the reference light, sets an upper limit value and a lower limit value of brightness using brightness of the image signal corresponding to the reflected light of the reference light as a reference and detects whether or not the brightness of the plurality of image signals corresponding to the plurality of fluorescent light beams falls within a range between the upper limit value and the lower limit value, and a brightness adjusting section that adjusts brightness of each image signal outside the range out of the plurality of image signals corresponding to the plurality of fluorescent light beams so as to fall within the range based on a detection result by the brightness detection section.11-03-2011
20110263951CAPSULE MEDICAL APPARATUS SYSTEM - A capsule medical apparatus system includes: a table for placing a subject thereon along a longitudinal direction; an antenna, which is arranged on a body surface of the subject, for receiving in-vivo information transmitted from a capsule medical apparatus inserted in the subject; a cable for transmitting the in-vivo information received by the antenna; a processing device, which is fixed to a longitudinal end portion of the table, for processing the in-vivo information transmitted via the cable; a rotation mechanism for rotating a connecting portion, at which the cable is connected to the processing device, about a rotation axis lying in the longitudinal direction of the table depending on posture change of the subject.10-27-2011
20110257481ENDOSCOPE - An endoscope includes an insertion section configured to be extended in a front-and-back direction, configured to be inserted into a body cavity, and including an observation optical system for imaging the inside of the body cavity, an endoscope main body configured to be provided on a rear end side of the insertion section and including a gripping section gripped by an operator, a first antenna configured to be arranged at a position closer to the insertion section than the gripping section, and a second antenna configured to be arranged at a position farther from the insertion section than the gripping section. An image obtained by imaging the inside of the body cavity by the observation optical system is converted into a wireless signal, and transmission/reception of the wireless signal to/from the outside of the endoscope is enabled through at least one of the first and second antennas.10-20-2011
20110257480MULTIJOINT MANIPULATOR AND ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM HAVING THE SAME - A multijoint manipulator apparatus includes a tubular-member, linear-motion-transmission-members, a drive-unit, a position-detector, a tension-detector, an operation-unit, and a movement-degree-calculation-unit. The linear-members are inserted in the tubular-member, one end and the other end of each of the linear-members being fixed to the vicinity of a joint of the tubular-member and the drive-unit, respectively. The drive-unit moves the linear-members. The position-detector and the tension-detector detect positions and tension of the linear-members, respectively. A desired position/posture of a point of interest is input to the operation-unit. The calculation-unit calculates a current position/posture of the point, a weighting factor serving to give priority to and move the linear-members the tension of which is relatively low among the linear-members, and movement degrees of the linear-members to move the point to the desired position/posture, and causes the drive-unit to pull the linear-members.10-20-2011
20110255759IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD IN IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE - A plurality of images inputted in an image signal input portion are divided into a plurality of regions by an image dividing portion, and a feature value in each of the plurality of regions is calculated by a feature value calculation portion and divided into a plurality of subsets by a subset generation portion. On the other hand, a cluster classifying portion classifies a plurality of clusters generated in a feature space into any one of a plurality of classes on the basis of the feature value and occurrence frequency of the feature value. And a classification criterion calculation portion calculates a criterion of classification for classifying images included in one subset on the basis of a distribution state of the feature value in the feature space of each of the images included in the one subset.10-20-2011
20110255758IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD IN IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE - A plurality of images inputted in an image signal input portion are divided into a plurality of regions by an image dividing portion, and a feature value in each of the plurality of regions is calculated by a feature value calculation portion and divided into a plurality of subsets by a subset generation portion. On the other hand, a cluster classifying portion classifies a plurality of clusters generated in a feature space into any one of a plurality of classes on the basis of the feature value and occurrence frequency of the feature value. And a classification criterion calculation portion calculates a criterion of classification for classifying images included in one subset on the basis of a distribution state of the feature value in the feature space of each of the images included in the one subset.10-20-2011
20110255757IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD IN IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE - A plurality of images inputted in an image signal input portion are divided into a plurality of regions by an image dividing portion, and a feature value in each of the plurality of regions is calculated by a feature value calculation portion and divided into a plurality of subsets by a subset generation portion. On the other hand, a cluster classifying portion classifies a plurality of clusters generated in a feature space into any one of a plurality of classes on the basis of the feature value and occurrence frequency of the feature value. And a classification criterion calculation portion calculates a criterion of classification for classifying images included in one subset on the basis of a distribution state of the feature value in the feature space of each of the images included in the one subset.10-20-2011
20110254938MEDICAL APPARATUS - A medical apparatus of the present invention includes an image pickup apparatus provided for a medical instrument to pick up an image of a region to be examined in a body, a fixing section that keeps the image pickup apparatus indwelling in and fixed to a body wall in the body, a transmission section that extends from the image pickup apparatus and transmits a power or an electric signal to/from a device outside the body, and a shake absorption section that absorbs and suppresses shaking of the transmission section by means of a movable member connected to the transmission section and freely movable with respect to the image pickup apparatus and a holding member connected to the transmission section for holding the movable member in a freely movable manner, wherein when a treatment is applied to a subject in the body while observing the subject, the apparatus can suppress shaking of the image pickup apparatus left indwelling in the body, acquire an excellent observed image and prevent damage to a cable extending from the image pickup apparatus.10-20-2011
20110249952IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS, IMAGE INTERPRETATION SUPPORT SYSTEM AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM - An image display apparatus includes an image playback unit that plays a group of a series of images in chronological order; an operating unit that is used to input an operation when an image that is being played in the image playback unit is subjected to image interpretation; an image interpretation operation recording unit that records an operation content which is input from the operating unit in an order with respect to the image that is being played in the image playback unit; an image interpretation operation image creating unit that creates, using the operation content recorded in the image interpretation operation recording unit, a series of images according to the order; and an image interpretation operation image display unit that displays the image created by the image interpretation operation image creating unit.10-13-2011
20110245827MEDICAL DEVICE - A medical device includes a treatment portion, a long cylindrical insertion portion, an operation portion and transmission portion. The insertion portion includes a regulation member provided while being projected from an inner wall surface of the insertion portion for regulating a length by which the treatment portion protrudes from the distal end of the insertion portion. The transmission portion includes an operation wire inserted in the insertion portion and has a distal end fixed to the treatment portion and an contacting member fixed to the operation wire and disposed at a position opposite to the treatment portion with respect to the regulation member. A rotating bearing member contacting the regulation member and the contacting member respectively and can rotate relative to at least any one of the regulation member and the contacting member around an axis of the operation wire is provided between the regulation member and the contacting member.10-06-2011
20110245731MEDICAL APPARATUS SYSTEM, CAPSULE MEDICAL APPARATUS SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF DISPLAYING POSTURE ITEM OF SUBJECT - A medical apparatus system includes a medical apparatus that acquires information on a subject; a posture item display unit that displays multiple posture items of the subject in which the medical apparatus acquires the information on the subject; an input unit that inputs a posture item of the subject in which the information on the subject is acquired among the posture items that are displayed by the posture item display unit; and a display controller that, in response to the input of the input unit, changes a display mode of the posture item of the subject that is displayed by the posture item display unit, such that the display mode indicates that the posture item is input by the input unit.10-06-2011
20110245661MEDICAL DEVICE - A medical device includes a curving motion driver curving a treatment portion, a rolling motion driver rolling the treatment portion in a direction around an axis, an instruction input unit inputting an instruction to move the treatment portion to a desired position, and a position/posture detector which detects a position and a posture of the treatment portion when the instruction is input from the instruction input unit. The medical device includes a driving information calculator which calculates driving information of the curving motion driver and the rolling motion driver during the movement of the treatment portion to the desired position on the basis of the detected position and posture of the treatment portion and on the basis of the input in the instruction input unit, and a control unit which drives and controls the curving motion driver and the rolling motion driver in accordance with the calculated driving information.10-06-2011
20110243116WIRELESS COMMUNICATION TERMINAL - A wireless communication terminal that performs wireless communication with other terminal includes an information holding unit that holds a communication channel setting of the wireless communication and information of a communication attribute of the wireless communication, a communication unit that receives the information of the communication attribute held by the other terminal from the other terminal by wireless communication using a communication channel that the communication channel setting held by the information holding unit represents before a logical connection of the wireless communication with the other terminal is established, and a control unit that controls the establishment process of the logical connection with the other terminal based on the information of the communication attribute received by the communication unit.10-06-2011
20110237934BIOPSY SUPPORT SYSTEM - A biopsy support system includes a virtual shape image generating section that generates a virtual shape image of an inside of a body cavity which is an insertion target from image data in a three-dimensional region with respect to a subject, an endoscope provided with an endoscope insertion portion and a channel, an ultrasound probe inserted into the channel including an ultrasound transducer and a position sensor that detects a three-dimensional position provided at a distal end portion thereof, an ultrasound image generating section that generates an ultrasound tomographic image, a specification section for specifying a first end and a second end in a desired range along a direction in which the ultrasound probe protrudes when the distal end portion of the ultrasound probe is moved along the direction in which the ultrasound probe protrudes from the distal end of the channel, a position detection section that detects a three-dimensional position of the position sensor based on the first end and the second end specified by the specification section and an image display control section that displays a biopsy range in which a biopsy is performed using the biopsy treatment instrument set based on the three-dimensional position superimposed on a position corresponding to the biopsy range on the virtual shape image.09-29-2011
20110237891ENDOSCOPE - An endoscope includes a curving operation portion which performs a curving operation of a curving portion by rotating around a pivot shaft in a first rotation direction and in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction from a neutral position where the curving portion is in a non-curved neutral state, a first operation wire which is pulled by the curving operation in the curving operation portion to curve the curving portion in the second curving direction, and a second operation wire which is pulled by the curving operation in the curving operation portion to curve the curving portion in the first curving direction. The endoscope includes a wire crossing portion in which the second operation wire crosses the first operation wire, and a movement regulating portion which regulates the movement of the wire crossing portion from within the operation portion into the insertion portion.09-29-2011
20110237889ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - An endoscope apparatus includes an endoscope which has an insertion portion which is provided with a distal end portion and a bendable bending portion at a distal end side and is inserted into a body cavity of a subject, a relative position calculation section which calculates a relative position of the distal end portion in the body cavity to the subject, a selection section which selects a search method corresponding to the position detected from a plurality of search methods for searching for a bending direction of the bending portion, based on the calculated relative position, a bending direction determination section which determines the bending direction of the bending portion according to the selected search method, and a bending drive section which bends and drives the bending portion based on the determined bending direction.09-29-2011
20110234780MEDICAL APPARATUS - A medical apparatus includes an endoscopic insertion portion provided with an image pickup unit and a channel; a treatment unit provided with a sensor and a bending portion and passed through a channel, with a distal end portion of the treatment unit being allowed to protrude from an insertion-portion distal end portion of the endoscopic insertion portion, where the sensor is disposed in the distal end portion and the bending portion is adapted to bend the distal end portion; a storage unit adapted to store three-dimensional image data; a target position setting unit adapted to set the target position based on the three-dimensional image data; a virtual endoscopic image generating unit adapted to generate a virtual endoscopic image using a line-of-sight parameter which includes a position, a direction, and a roll angle of the distal end portion detected by the sensor, based on the three-dimensional image data; and an image processing unit adapted to perform a superimposition process and thereby display operation information used to insert the distal end portion to the target position in superimposition on the virtual endoscopic image.09-29-2011
20110232700ENDOSCOPE CLEANING INSTRUMENT AND ENDOSCOPE CLEANING APPARATUS - An endoscope cleaning instrument and an endoscope cleaning apparatus are provided that have a simple configuration and that can be manufactured easily and at a low cost. An endoscope cleaning instrument of the invention cleans a distal end portion of an endoscope by ejecting a fluid fed from a fluid supply section towards a side face and a front face of the distal end portion. The endoscope cleaning instrument includes a connection portion that is attachable to and detachable from the fluid supply section; at least one tubular portion that has a tube shape including an inner circumferential portion and an outer circumferential portion and that can introduce the fluid supplied from the fluid supply section via the connection portion into an inner space enclosed by the inner circumferential portion, and that is provided so as to enclose an outer space that can accommodate the distal end portion by means of at least a part of the outer circumferential portion; and through-holes that include a plurality of first through-holes that are provided in the tubular portion so as to connect the inner space and the outer space and that open towards the side face of the distal end portion accommodated in the outer space, and a plurality of second through-holes that are provided in the tubular portion so as to connect the inner space and the outer space and that open towards the front face of the distal end portion accommodated in the outer space.09-29-2011
20110230722ILLUMINATION UNIT, ENDOSCOPE HAVING ILLUMINATION UNIT AND ILLUMINATION PROBE HAVING ILLUMINATION UNIT WHICH IS INSERTED INTO ENDOSCOPIC CHANNEL - An illumination unit includes a distal end frame member having a through opening, a plurality of illumination sections, and a holding member which is arranged in the through opening and holds the illumination sections to incline the illumination sections at a desired angle with respect an opening surface of the through opening and to form a cascade along the axial direction of the through opening. The illumination unit includes a reflective member which is configured to reflect the illumination light emitted from the illumination sections toward the opening surface, the reflective member being held by the holding member to face the illumination sections and to apply the illumination light externally emitted from the illumination sections from the inside of the through opening via the opening surface.09-22-2011
20110230718MEDICAL FLEXIBLE SECTION AND INSERTION SECTION OF MEDICAL APPARATUS - A medical flexible section includes an inner tube body which has a first bend allowing section configured to allow bending in a predetermined direction provided on a side surface thereof and forms a duct and an outer tube body which has a second bend allowing section configured to allow bending in a predetermined direction provided on a side surface thereof and in which the inner tube body is inserted. The medical flexible section includes an operation ring configured to change bendability of an insertion section constituted of the outer tube body and the inner tube body by rotating the inner tube body in a periaxial direction with respect to the outer tube body to adjust a relative positional relationship between the first bend allowing section and the second bend allowing section.09-22-2011
20110230716ENDOSCOPE CLEANING SHEATH - An endoscope cleaning sheath includes a flexible tube body that is mounted to an insertion portion having a bending portion included in an endoscope, and that has a plurality of through-holes parallel to a longitudinal axis; and a cylindrical distal end nozzle that is provided at a distal end portion of the flexible tube body and that sprays at least one of a gas and a liquid at least at an observation window provided at a distal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope. The through-holes are a hole for an endoscope insertion portion through which the insertion portion of the endoscope is inserted, and at least a first fluid conduit that supplies gas and a second fluid conduit that supplies liquid. The first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit are provided at positions in a direction that is different from a bending direction of the bending portion of the insertion portion that is inserted and disposed in the hole for an endoscope insertion portion. The flexible tube body includes a sheath bending portion that covers a circumference of the bending portion of the insertion portion that is inserted and disposed in the hole for an endoscope insertion portion. The sheath bending portion includes at least one concave portion or hole that decreases a bending resistance of the sheath bending portion to a resistance that is less than a bending resistance of the flexible tube body.09-22-2011
20110230712MEDICAL SYSTEM - A medical system includes an endoscope which is a first medical instrument, a gas supply apparatus which is a second medical instrument that supplies a gas to an insertion site at which an insertion portion of the endoscope is inserted, a biological information acquiring apparatus which is a biological information detection section that detects a blood flow rate at the insertion site as a biological information detected value, a manipulation information acquiring apparatus which is a manipulation information detection section that contacts the insertion portion of the endoscope and is combined with a roller that rotates as the insertion portion moves forward or backward to detect an amount of rotation of the roller as manipulation information, and a system control apparatus provided with a control section that outputs an instruction signal for changing an amount of gas supply to the gas supply apparatus according to the detected value detected by the biological information acquiring apparatus and the manipulation information detected by the manipulation information acquiring apparatus.09-22-2011
20110224490IN-VIVO EXAMINATION SYSTEM - An in-vivo examination system includes a body-insertable apparatus that moves in a subject; and an external device that acquires information about an inside of the subject. The external device includes a location acquiring unit that acquires a plurality of first locations of the body-insertable apparatus in the subject; a trajectory generating unit that generates a first movement trajectory of the body-insertable apparatus in the subject, based on the plurality of first locations; a trajectory storage unit that stores a second movement trajectory; and a scale adjusting unit that adjusts the first movement trajectory to the second movement trajectory.09-15-2011
20110218443ULTRASONIC PROBE - An electronic radial ultrasonic probe comprising an electronic radial array which comprises a plurality of ultrasonic transducers being continuously arrayed circularly around an insertion axis as center and also for which a transmission/reception of an ultrasonic wave is controlled by electronically selecting the plurality of ultrasonic transducer, comprises: a support member equipped on the electronic radial array; a lock member featured with a cavity in which the support member is inserted and with a lock groove for locking a balloon which is mounted in a manner to cover the electronic radial array and in which an ultrasonic medium is filled; and a filler member which is constituted by an adhesive material converting from a fluid state to a solid state, and is filled in the cavity.09-08-2011
20110218404LIGHT SENSING SYSTEM AND ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - The medical instrument includes an optical fiber sensor in which a plurality of FBG sections are formed, a reflector that forms reference light, a light source that outputs light by stepwise changing light beams of wavelengths of a predetermined interval, a coupler that splits light and generates interference light, a detection section that detects the interference light and a calculation section that calculates amounts of deformation of the FBG sections based on the detection result of the detection section.09-08-2011
20110218399BODY-INSERTABLE APPARATUS AND IN-VIVO INFORMATION ACQUISITION SYSTEM - A body-insertable apparatus to be inserted into a subject includes an illumination unit that illuminates an inside of the subject; an imaging device having an effective pixel region that has a predetermined size and on which an optical image of the inside of the subject illuminated by the illumination unit is formed, and having an optical black region at which the optical image is shielded; and a light adjustment control unit that adjusts an amount of light from the illumination unit to the effective pixel region based on pixel values of the effective pixel region of an image signal and pixel values of the optical black region of the image signal.09-08-2011
20110218397IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, EXTERNAL DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing method includes the steps of: receiving image data from a body-insertable apparatus having a plurality of imaging units that captures an image of inside of a subject and generates image data and an identification information adding unit that adds identification information for identifying an imaging unit that generates the image data to the image data; displaying a list of the selected image data by the identification information; and switching image data to be displayed in the list displaying step from image data of the one identification information being displayed to image data of the other identification information.09-08-2011
20110213205CAPSULE GUIDANCE SYSTEM - A capsule guidance system includes a plurality of electrode pads that are disposed on a body surface of a subject in which a capsule medical device that performs human body communication is inserted into an organ; a magnetic guidance unit applies a magnetic field to the capsule medical device to guide the capsule medical device; an eliminating unit that eliminates signal components of eddy current generated in the subject by a change of the magnetic field from electrical signals detected by the plurality of electrode pads; and a position calculation unit that calculates the position of the capsule medical device based on the electrical signals from the capsule medical device, the electrical signals being the signals from which the signal components of the eddy current are eliminated by the eliminating unit.09-01-2011
20110213203IN-VIVO IMAGING SYSTEM AND BODY-INSERTABLE APPARATUS - A body-insertable apparatus includes a light-receiving unit that includes light-receiving elements each having a receiving wavelength spectrum; light-emitting units including a near ultraviolet light source whose peak of the emission intensity is near ultraviolet light with a wavelength deviated, from a receiving wavelength spectrum associated with the receiving wavelength spectrum, by a predetermined wavelength and including a yellow light source whose peak of the emission intensity is yellow; a selection unit that can select, from among the light-emitting units, light-emitting units corresponding respectively to the near ultraviolet and the yellow light sources; an image creating unit creating a normal-light image in accordance with a combined flat-shaped wavelength spectrum combined using the light-receiving unit or creating a special-light image in accordance with a combined sharp wavelength spectrum combined using a pixel that receives blue-color-component light of the light-receiving unit and a pixel that receives green-color-component light of the light-receiving unit, the light being obtained at the emission of light when the near ultraviolet light source and the yellow light source are selected using the selection unit; a transmitting unit transmitting the normal-light image or the created special-light image; and a control unit controlling driving of the light-receiving elements in accordance with selection performed by the selection unit.09-01-2011
20110208000MEDICAL SYSTEM - A medical system includes: a first operation apparatus used when a first doctor operates a medical instrument; a second operation apparatus that outputs a control instruction signal for controlling a motion of the medical instrument, and is operated by a second doctor; at least one medical action information detection section that detects medical action information based on the motion of the medical instrument when the first doctor operates the medical instrument using the first operation apparatus; a storage apparatus that stores reference information set by the second doctor according to the first doctor for comparing with the medical action information detected by the medical action information detection section; a switching signal generation apparatus that is connected to the second operation apparatus, and switches an output destination of the control instruction signal based on the medical action information detected by the medical action information detection section and the reference information stored in the storage apparatus; and a medical instrument control apparatus that controls the medical instrument according to the control instruction signal of the second operation apparatus outputted from the switching signal generation apparatus.08-25-2011
20110207998CAPSULE MEDICAL APPARATUS - A capsule medical apparatus capable of injecting a medical agent into a living tissue includes a casing, a pressing member that presses the surface of the living tissue, a driving unit that causes the pressing member to protrude from the casing in a predetermined direction and to press the surface of the living tissue while rotating the pressing member around a rotation axis parallel to the protruding direction, and a needle-like puncturing member that is arranged on the pressing member and punctures the living tissue in an oblique direction with respect to the surface of the living tissue to thereby inject the medical agent into the living tissue along with the rotation of the pressing member driven by the driving unit.08-25-2011
20110201993DETECTING APPARATUS AND MEDICAL CONTROL METHOD - A detecting apparatus includes: a first detecting unit that acquires drug accumulation information concerning a drug which has a been dosed to a subject and has accumulated in a lesion region of the subject; a calculating unit that calculates, on the basis of the drug accumulation information, a change with time of the drug accumulation information in the lesion region as change-with-time information; a threshold setting unit for setting, on the basis of the change-with-time information, a threshold for detecting the drug accumulated in the lesion region; and a second detecting unit for detecting, on the basis of the threshold, the drug accumulated in the lesion region.08-18-2011
20110199472SIGNAL OUTPUT BOARD AND ENDOSCOPE - A signal output board includes: a drive signal generation section configured to generate a drive signal for a CCD; an inverse signal generation section configured to generate an inverse signal by inverting a phase of the drive signal from the drive signal generation section; a first signal transmission line portion configured to transmit the drive signal from the drive signal generation section; a second signal transmission line portion configured to transmit the inverse signal from the inverse signal generation section, at least part of the second signal transmission line portion being arranged in parallel to and adjacent to the first signal transmission line portion; an output end portion configured to output the drive signal transmitted by the first signal transmission line portion, to the outside; and an equivalent load section including a load equivalent to a transmission path for the drive signal from the output end portion to the electronic device, the equivalent load section being connected to an end portion of the second signal transmission line portion.08-18-2011
20110196390LIGATION APPARATUS - The present invention relates to a ligation apparatus that ligatures living tissue by a clip and provides an optimal ligation apparatus for ligaturing living tissue in a body cavity.08-11-2011
20110196202CAPSULE GUIDING SYSTEM - A capsule guiding system includes: a capsule medical device that is introduced into a subject and takes an in-vivo image in the subject; a capsule guiding unit that guides the capsule medical device; an image acquisition unit that acquires the in-vivo image of the subject from the capsule medical device; a display unit that displays the in-vivo image of the subject acquired by the image acquisition unit; a storage unit that sequentially stores guidance information of the capsule guiding unit that guides the capsule medical device; an input unit that inputs instruction information to instruct backward moving of the capsule medical device; and a control unit that controls, when the instruction information is input, the capsule guiding unit such that the capsule medical device backwardly moves on a trajectory based on the guidance information of the capsule guiding unit stored in the storage unit.08-11-2011
20110196201IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, EXTERNAL DEVICE, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing system includes an external device including an orientation specifying unit that specifies orientation of the body-insertable apparatus at the time of capturing the image data with respect to a reference direction, a rotation correcting unit that performs rotation correction on image data received by the input unit based on the orientation specified by the first orientation specifying unit, thereby aligning orientations of a plurality of pieces of image data, a screen generating unit that generates a screen displaying the image data subjected to the rotation correction, an average color bar generating unit that calculates an average color of the image data subjected to the rotation correction, generates an image of the calculated average color, and generates an average color bar in which images of the generated average colors are connected in accordance with order of the image data, and an organ image generating unit that generates an organ image, as an image of an organ in the subject, obtained by superimposing the images of the average colors generated by the average color bar generating unit. The screen generating unit generates the screen in which the average color bar generated by the average color bar generating unit is incorporated, and incorporates the organ image into the screen.08-11-2011
20110188050SUBJECT INFORMATION ANALYZING APPARATUS AND SUBJECT INFORMATION ANALYZING METHOD - A subject information analyzing apparatus includes a light detector that receives frequency-modulated light as scattered light corresponding to irradiating light of a second frequency from a region to be examined in a subject irradiated with ultrasound of a first frequency, an information extracting section that extracts information on a specific frequency shifted by an integer multiple of the first frequency of the frequency-modulated light and a feature information generating section that generates a calculated value or the like of a cell nuclei/cytoplasm ratio of constituent tissues as feature information on a composition ratio of constituent tissues making up the region to be examined using the extracted information on the specific frequency.08-04-2011
20110187842ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - An endoscope apparatus of the present invention includes a light quantity adjusting section that adjusts outgoing light quantity from a light source section that generates light irradiating a subject, a current control section that controls a current to be applied to the light source section, an image pickup section provided with an image pickup device that picks up an image of the subject, an identification section that identifies whether or not the image pickup device is provided with a shutter function, a brightness detection section that detects brightness based on an image pickup signal from the image pickup section, a white balance acquiring section for acquiring information on white balance adjustment processing, an amount of adjustment control section that controls an amount of adjustment of the light quantity adjusting section to a predetermined amount according to a white balance information acquiring operation in the white balance acquiring section, and a control section that controls the current control section or the shutter function of the image pickup device based on the output result from the brightness detection section and the output result from the identification section.08-04-2011
20110184690POSITION DETECTING SYSTEM AND POSITION DETECTING METHOD - A position detecting system that detects the position of a body-insertable apparatus inserted into a subject includes: a driving-magnetic-field generating unit that generates a driving magnetic field in a detection space in which the subject into which the body-insertable apparatus, which generates a resonant magnetic field induced by the driving magnetic, is inserted is surrounded; a magnetic sensor that detects a magnetic field generated in the detection space; a position detecting unit that detects, based on the magnetic field detected by the sensor, a position and a direction of the body-insertable apparatus; a guiding unit that guides at least one of the position and the direction of the body-insertable apparatus to at least one of a position and a direction set as targets; a predicting unit that predicts, using the position and the direction detected by the position detecting unit, a position and a direction at certain time of the body-insertable apparatus; and a control unit that controls the driving-magnetic-field generating unit and the position detecting unit based on the position and the direction at the certain time predicted by the predicting unit.07-28-2011
20110181273POSITION DETECTING SYSTEM AND POSITION DETECTING METHOD - To provide a position detecting system including a detected object disposed in a detection space and an external device disposed outside the detection space. The detected object includes a resonant circuit that generates a resonant magnetic field according to a driving magnetic field formed in the detection space, and the external device includes at least two drive coils that form the driving magnetic field in the detection space, at least two drive-signal input units that respectively input a drive signal for forming the driving magnetic field to the drive coils, at least one sense coil that detects a magnetic field formed in the detection space, a signal adjustment unit that adjusts a phase and an amplitude of the drive signal input to each of the drive coils by the drive-signal input units, based on a magnetic field detected by the sense coil, and a position deriving unit that derives a position of the detected object based on the magnetic field detected by the sense coil.07-28-2011
20110166416CAPSULE MEDICAL APPARATUS - A capsule medical apparatus to be introduced into a subject includes a tissue collecting unit that collects in-vivo tissue; a storage unit that stores therein the in-vivo tissue that is collected by the tissue collecting unit; a liquid storing unit that stores therein liquid for suppressing autolysis of in-vivo tissue; a liquid supplying unit that supplies the liquid in the liquid storing unit to the storage unit; and a control unit that allows, in response to an instruction to start collecting the in-vivo tissue, the tissue collecting unit to collect desired in-vivo tissue and to store the collected in-vivo tissue in the storage unit and that then allows the liquid supplying unit to supply the liquid to the storage unit and makes the storage unit be in a liquid-tight state.07-07-2011
20110161862INDEX IMAGE CONTROL APPARATUS - An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus using an index image display apparatus includes: an index image display section for displaying an ROI of an index image having a predetermined shape and to be superimposed on an image displayed on a monitor; a CPU that is a display form changing section that can change a display form of the ROI by a predetermined amount by one operation; an operation portion for outputting an operation signal to the CPU; and an LCD panel that is a change information display section including a plurality of operation buttons provided in the operation portion and representing graphic information that indicates an initial state of the ROI, and change information that is changed by the CPU.06-30-2011
20110160725HIGH-FREQUENCY SURGICAL APPARATUS AND MEDICAL INSTRUMENT OPERATING METHOD - A high frequency surgery apparatus includes a high frequency current generation section that generates a high frequency current to be transmitted to a living tissue to be operated on, a high frequency probe that transmits the high frequency current to the living tissue and is provided with electrodes to perform treatment with the high frequency current, a time measuring section that measures an output time of the high frequency current, an impedance detection section that detects an electric impedance of the living tissue and an output control section that performs control so as to stop the output of the high frequency current upon detecting that the output time exceeds a first threshold and detecting that the electric impedance value exceeds a second threshold.06-30-2011
20110160588ULTRASOUND IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS AND ULTRASOUND IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD - An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes a control section that performs control such that an ROI is displayed on a screen upon input of a predetermined command. The ROI is for displaying a flow mode image of a region including a start point and an end point of a puncture path of a puncture needle that appears on a screen of an ultrasound image when the puncture needle is protruded from an ultrasound probe.06-30-2011
20110157340FLUORESCENT IMAGE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ACQUIRING FLUORESCENT IMAGE - A fluorescent imaging device includes an irradiation section that irradiates an object to be examined with excitation light and reference light, an image pickup section that picks up a fluorescence image based on the excitation light and a reflected light image based on the reference light, a comparison section that compares relative intensity between the fluorescent image generated from the fluorescence image and the reflected light image generated from the reflected light image, and a selection section that selectively outputs one of the reflected light image and the fluorescent image based on the comparison result.06-30-2011
20110152886APPLICATOR AND TISSUE FASTENING METHOD THROUGH NATURAL ORIFICE - The applicator related to the present invention is provided with a flexible sheath longer than the overall length of an instrument channel of a flexible endoscope; an operation part used outside the instrument channel; a deployed section that can be made to protrude from the front end of the sheath by operating the operation part and to pierce a tissue; a tissue fastening tool made of a superelastic wire formed in coil shape and housed inside the deployed section in a substantially extended condition; and a pusher that pushes out the tissue fastening tool from the deployed section when the operation part is operated.06-23-2011
20110152685ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING FOCUS POSITION OF ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes a transmission section which is a transducer drive section capable of transmitting ultrasound at a predetermined focus position from an ultrasound transducer, and a CPU which is a display region changing section capable of changing a display region to be displayed on a monitor in an ultrasonic image; and controls the transmission section, which is the transducer driving section, in accordance with the change result to change the focus position of the ultrasound.06-23-2011
20110152614IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM AND ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - An image pickup system of the present invention has a light emitting section that emits a first illuminating light and a second illuminating light to an object, an image pickup section that picks up an image of a first return light and an image of a second return light, and outputs the images as image pickup signals respectively, an image generating section that generates a first image and a second image respectively based on the image pickup signals, a differential value calculating section that calculates a first differential value corresponding to the first image and a second differential value corresponding to the second image respectively, a calculation section that performs calculation processing by using the first differential value and the second differential value, and a region discriminating section that discriminates between regions in the object by applying threshold processing to a calculation result of the calculation section.06-23-2011
20110144434INTRADUCTAL INSERTION DEVICE - An intraductal insertion device includes a thrust generating section installed at an insertion portion. The thrust generating section is made up of a flexible shaft adapted to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise around a shaft axis. The thrust generating section is configured by winding the shaft axis of the flexible shaft around an axis of the insertion portion in an insertion direction.06-16-2011
20110137123ENDOSCOPIC TREATMENT TOOL - The present invention relates to a flex-knife that enables a technique such as tissue excision to be carried out more easily, and is provided with: a rod-shaped high frequency knife which is endoscopically inserted into a body cavity and is for performing cutting procedures; a wire, the high frequency knife connected to the front end thereof; a sheath consisting of an insulating material, into which the wire is inserted; a main body, the back end of the sheath being connected thereto; and a slider to which the back end of the wire is fixed and which is disposed to the main body to enable sliding in the axial direction; wherein the high frequency knife has a large diameter part at its distal end, the large diameter part having an outer diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the sheath.06-09-2011
20110112446ULTRASONIC TREATMENT APPARATUS AND ULTRASONIC TREATMENT METHOD - Provided is an ultrasonic treatment apparatus which includes a drive signal generating unit (such as a FPGA circuit), a detecting unit (output detecting circuit), a range setting unit (condition setting circuit), and a frequency controller (frequency changing circuit). The drive signal generating unit generates a drive signal of a predetermined oscillating frequency by performing a frequency sweep. The detecting unit detects information on a state of the drive signal. The range setting unit sets a range of frequency sweep based on identification information of an ultrasonic transducer. The frequency controller performs a frequency control in the range of frequency sweep based on the information on the state of the drive signal.05-12-2011
20110106077TREATMENT INSTRUMENT - This treatment instrument includes: a flexible wire that has a first end part and a second end part, and that has a treatment part at an intermediate part for conducting treatment within a body cavity; small-diameter parts where at least a portion of the outer circumferential face of the wire has a smaller diameter or is denuded relative to the rest; a bundled part where the wire is bundled so as to at least include the small-diameter parts; and a manipulation wire that is connected to this bundled part.05-05-2011
20110105944BIOPSY TISSUE SAMPLING TREATMENT INSTRUMENT - A biopsy tissue sampling treatment instrument includes a stem portion having a predetermined length sufficient to puncture living tissue; a puncturing portion formed at a distal end of the stem portion and having a protruding surface portion expanding rearward along a puncture direction of the stem portion; a tissue holding surface provided on a rear side of the protruding surface portion in the puncturing portion and having an area large enough to hold the living tissue; a stopper member provided at a rear end of the stem portion and having an abutting portion capable of abutting against the living tissue punctured by the stem portion; and an operating member provided on the stopper member and configured to hold the stem portion to the living tissue, allowing the stem portion to puncture the living tissue. Consequently, the biopsy tissue sampling treatment instrument increases holding capacity for the living tissue to be extracted, allows living tissue to be extracted in sufficient sampling quantities, and makes it easy to take samples of living tissue at an intended depth in tissue.05-05-2011
20110105846ACTUATOR SYSTEM AND ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - An actuator system including a drive section that performs driving by injection/suction of a liquid, a tube, a syringe pump that injects/suctions the liquid into/from the drive section via the tube, a pressure sensor that measures an inner pressure, a storage section that preliminarily stores a volume change ΔV of the tube caused by the inner pressure, and a control section that controls the syringe pump based on the volume change ΔV, inner pressure P, and volume V05-05-2011
20110098534CAPSULE MEDICAL APPARATUS WITH PROJECTIONS AND BODY-CAVITY OBSERVATION METHOD - Provided is a capsule medical apparatus including a capsule body, a control member, and an observing member. The capsule body is to be introduced into a lumen of a subject. The control member controls a movement of the capsule body in the lumen by a flow of a fluid introduced in the lumen. The observing member is fixed inside the capsule body and observes a direction of the flow of the fluid and a direction different from the flow of the fluid according to the movement of the capsule body.04-28-2011
20110098533MEDICAL INSTRUMENT - A medical instrument including a distortion detection probe disposed in an insertion portion to be inserted into the interior of an examinee provided with a plurality of FBG sensor sections that detect distortion of the insertion portion, a coordinate calculation section that calculates first three-dimensional coordinates of the respective FBG sensor sections according to a first three-dimensional coordinate system whose origin is a predetermined position based on the detection results of the FBG sensor sections, a coordinate system setting section that sets a second three-dimensional coordinate system based on the first three-dimensional coordinates of the respective FBG sensor sections, a coordinate transformation section that transforms the first three-dimensional coordinates of the respective FBG sensor sections into second three-dimensional coordinates according to the second three-dimensional coordinate system set by the coordinate system setting section and a shape display section that displays the shape of the insertion portion based on the second three-dimensional coordinates transformed by the coordinate transformation section.04-28-2011
20110097248ENDOSCOPE AUTOMATIC CLEANING/DISINFECTING APPARATUS - A control section reads data such as a conduit diameter and a conduit length of an endoscope and a cleaning profile which are separately recorded in a storage section based on type information of the endoscope registered in the storage section. A cleaning degree suited to the endoscope is estimated by calculation based on a pressure value and a flow rate value which are measured, the diameter and the length of the conduit to be cleaned, and the cleaning profile.04-28-2011
20110092769ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - 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.04-21-2011
20110090056WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM COMPRISING RECEIVER AND IMAGE TRANSMITTER AND WIRELESS COMMUNICATION METHOD THEREOF - Communication-identifier-assigned image data is transmitted via a set channel using the same as a communication identifier set for each image transmitter and a channel set in transmission. Then, a receiver which has received a plurality of image data items stores the received image data items, communication identifiers, and channels in such a manner that the received image data items are related to the communication identifiers and channels. Thumbnailed images in each image data item are displayed on one screen. When an image is selected from the thumbnailed images, an image transmitter that has transmitted the image is determined on the basis of the communication identifier and channel related to the selected image and is connected exclusively to the receiver. Images acquired from this time on are enlarged and displayed chronologically on a display section. The image transmitter and receiver constitute a wireless communication system.04-21-2011
20110071355ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - An endoscope apparatus comprises an insertion portion having an observation optical system attached onto the distal end portion thereof and having flexibility, a thrust generating portion for generating a thrust by rotation, formed beyond a predetermined length on an outer-peripheral surface of the insertion portion in a longitudinal-axis direction, a rotation device for rotating the thrust generating portion around the longitudinal axis, and a control portion for controlling a rotational speed of the thrust generating portion according to an insertion length of the thrust generating portion inserted in a subject.03-24-2011
20110071354OVERTUBE AND MEDICAL PROCEDURE VIA NATURAL ORIFICE USING THE SAME - An overtube according to this invention includes: an insertion part, that is inserted into a subject and has a lumen, through which a device insertion part of a device for performing a medical procedure inside a body of the subject is removably inserted, the insertion part being inserted into the subject; and a tissue incising part that is disposed at a distal end side of the insertion part so as to cross the lumen and incises a tissue of the subject.03-24-2011
20110069199IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus includes a light source section that can radiate light of the same wavelength onto the same region of a subject twice within a one-frame period making up one image, a brightness detection section that detects brightness of two returning light images when light has been radiated twice, and a synthetic image generation section that generates a synthetic image obtained by synthesizing the two returning light images using the light of the same wavelength and under the same exposure quantity based on the detection result of the brightness.03-24-2011
20110060185MEDICAL DEVICE SYSTEM AND CALIBRATION METHOD FOR MEDICAL INSTRUMENT - An endoscope system is provided with an insertion portion having a rigid portion disposed at a distal end portion of the insertion portion, an ultrasound probe that has a first sensor for detecting a position and a direction at a probe distal end portion, is inserted from an insertion port from a proximal end portion side of a channel and projects from a projection port of the rigid portion, a channel that passes through the rigid portion and can linearly support the medical instrument distal end portion, a position calculation section that calculates a position and a direction of the first sensor, and a direction calculation section that calculates a direction of the probe distal end portion based on a positional information variation of the first sensor before and after linear movement in the channel in the rigid portion of the probe distal end portion.03-10-2011
20110046445MEDICAL INSTRUMENT - A medical instrument for observing the interior of a subject to be examined has an image pickup unit for picking up an image of the subject to be examined from a transparent cover member incorporated in the medical instrument, disposes a multi-bladed fan outside an image-pickup field of view of the image pickup unit, generates an airflow to an airflow outlet that causes the airflow to flow from the inlet port to the vicinity of an observation window, prevents adherents such as dirt from sticking to the cover member, prevents the adherents from sticking to the observation window of the observation apparatus without obstructing the field of view, and can thereby obtain a clear observed image.02-24-2011
20110046440MEDICAL APPARATUS AND OPERATION METHOD FOR INTRODUCING MEDICAL APPARATUS INTO BODY - A medical apparatus which is introduced into a body includes an image pickup unit that picks up an image of the interior of the body, a communication cable that sends/receives a signal to/from an external device, an electric terminal section disposed at an end section of the communication cable, a drip-proof cap attached so as to cover the electric terminal section, a locking section provided at the drip-proof cap that locks a puncture needle for pulling the communication cable introduced into the body out of the body, and a dissection section provided at the drip-proof cap that dissects a body wall tissue when the cable wire is pulled out.02-24-2011
20110036808ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER, ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER FABRICATION METHOD, AND ULTRASONIC ENDOSCOPE - An ultrasonic transducer according to the present invention includes: two or more ultrasonic transducer cells, each of which has a lower electrode, a first insulating layer placed on the lower electrode, a cavity placed on the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer placed on the cavity, and an upper electrode placed above the second insulating layer; channels which communicate the cavities with each other; the second insulating layer placed on the channels; holes formed in the second insulating layer placed on the channels; and sealing portions which seal the holes, where that part of the sealing portions which enters the channels is the same in cross-sectional shape as the holes.02-17-2011
20110034766CAPSULE MEDICAL APPARATUS SYSTEM - A capsule medical apparatus system includes a rotating magnetic field generation apparatus that generates a desired rotating magnetic field in three-dimensional directions, a capsule medical apparatus that includes a magnet and a needle for puncture that can be projected and retracted in a rotation direction of the rotating magnetic field and is rotated in the direction of the rotating magnetic field when the rotating magnetic field is applied to the magnet, a step-out operation detecting unit that detects a step-out operation by which the capsule medical apparatus is inversely rotated when a luminal surface is punctured with the needle, and a magnetic-field control instructing unit that controls the rotating magnetic field generation apparatus on the basis of a detection result performed by the step-out operation detecting unit.02-10-2011
20110021907BIOMEDICAL IMAGING APPARATUS AND BIOMEDICAL TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGE GENERATION METHOD - A biomedical imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes: an ultrasound generating section configured to output ultrasound to a predetermined region in an object under examination; an illuminating light generating section configured to emit illuminating light to the predetermined region upon which the ultrasound is incident; a phase component detecting section configured to time-resolve return light of the illuminating light emitted to the predetermined region, from the first time point to the Nth time point, and thereby detect the first to the Nth phase components of the return light corresponding to the first time point to the Nth time point; and a computing section configured to perform a process for subtracting a sum of the first to the (N−1)th phase components from the Nth phase component based on the phase components detected by the phase component detecting section.01-27-2011
20110021872ELECTRONIC ENDOSCOPE - 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.01-27-2011
20110017923FLUORESCENCE OBSERVATION APPARATUS - A fluorescence observation apparatus according to the present invention includes a light source section that emits excitation light for exciting a first fluorescent substance and a second fluorescent substance, a fluorescence detection section that detects first fluorescent light emitted when the first fluorescent substance is excited and second fluorescent light emitted when the second fluorescent substance is excited, a correction value calculation section that calculates a correction value for canceling a color mixture between the first fluorescent light and the second fluorescent light based on feature values corresponding to characteristics of the first fluorescent substance and the second fluorescent substance, a detected image generation section that generates a first detected image corresponding to a detection result of the first fluorescent light and a second detected image corresponding to a detection result of the second fluorescent light, and an image correction section that corrects a luminance value of the first detected image to a luminance value corresponding to intensity of the first fluorescent light and corrects a luminance value of the second detected image to a luminance value corresponding to intensity of the second fluorescent light.01-27-2011
20110015786MANIPULATOR - A manipulator comprises a tube body including a bending portion, a bending wire for bending drive of the bending portion, a motor including a rotary shaft which rotates in accordance with a drive command signal, a reduction gear unit connected to the rotary shaft and configured by a plurality of gears meshing with each other, a detection unit which detects an operation state of the motor, a storage unit which stores load variation values periodically caused by the meshing of the plurality of gears constituting the reduction gear unit as correction information, a load calculation section which calculates a load exerted on the tube body as a bending load estimated value, and a notifying unit which notifies a calculation result of the load calculation section.01-20-2011
20110015523ULTRASOUND OBSERVATION APPARATUS - An ultrasound observation apparatus has an ultrasound probe or an ultrasound endoscope manually moved relative to a subject, and displays a plurality of ultrasound tomographic images in time sequence with the movement. The ultrasound observation apparatus has a control section which, when a first display range is selected, performs control so that images are displayed in a first number of displayed frames per stroke time, which, when a second display range is selected, performs control so that the number of displayed frames per stroke time is smaller than the first number of displayed frames, and which, when a manual scanning mode is selected, performs control so that a predetermined number of frames per stroke time are displayed regardless of whether the display range is the first display range or the second display range.01-20-2011
20110012594POSITION DETECTING SYSTEM AND POSITION DETECTING METHOD - A system includes a body-insertable apparatus disposed while introduced in a subject in a detection space, and an external apparatus disposed on the outside of the subject. The body-insertable apparatus includes a first switch for connecting/interrupting a resonance circuit and an oscillation circuit or a ground line. The external apparatus includes a drive coil driving unit for outputting a drive signal having the resonance frequency; a drive coil for generating the drive magnetic field in the detection space in accordance with the drive signal; and a second switch for connecting/interrupting the drive coil driving unit and the drive coil. The second switch connects the drive coil driving unit and the drive coil when the first switch is off, and disconnects them when the first switch is on. The resonance circuit generates the resonance magnetic field in accordance with the induction signal or the drive magnetic field.01-20-2011
20110012025FLUORESCENCE OBSERVATION APPARATUS - A fluorescence observation apparatus according to the present invention includes a light source section that can emit a plurality of excitation light beams of different wavelength bands and select excitation light beams to be emitted to an object where there are a first fluorescent substance and a second fluorescent substance to be examined from among the plurality of excitation light beams, a variable filter section that selectively allows at least part of the wavelength band of returning light from the object to pass, a photo-detecting section that detects the light that has passed through the variable filter section, a calculation processing section that carries out calculations to determine a wavelength band of the excitation light emitted from the light source section and a transmission wavelength band in the variable filter section based on intensity characteristics of the plurality of excitation light beams, fluorescence characteristics of the first fluorescent substance and fluorescence characteristics of the second fluorescent substance and a control section that performs control of causing the light source section to interlock with the variable filter section based on the calculation result of the calculation processing section.01-20-2011
20110009697GUIDING SYSTEM, POSITION CONTROLLING APPARATUS, AND GUIDING METHOD - A guiding system includes a capsule-type apparatus and a position controlling apparatus. The capsule-type apparatus includes a permanent magnet, which is fixed to a capsule-shaped casing, and is introduced into a subject. The position controlling apparatus includes a relative position controlling mechanism that changes a relative position between a predetermined axis and the subject, and a magnetic field generating mechanism that forms, in a space in which the subject is laid, a magnetic field that includes at least one of a component of a trapping magnetic field that attracts the permanent magnet to the predetermined axis and a component of a gradient magnetic field that attracts the permanent magnet in a direction same as or opposite to a direction in which the relative position is changed.01-13-2011
20110009696ENDOSCOPE INSERTION APPARATUS - An endoscope insertion apparatus is provided that has an inner-side unit in which a plurality of inner-side fixing sections having an inner-side arm are uniformly arranged in a circumferential direction, an outer-side unit in which a plurality of outer-side fixing sections having an outer-side arm are uniformly arranged in a circumferential direction and in which slit portions that extend in a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction and from which the inner-side arms protrude are uniformly arranged in the circumferential direction between the outer-side fixing sections, and an insertion operation portion that changes a front/rear relationship between the inner-side arms and outer-side arms.01-13-2011
20110005556CLEANING/DISINFECTING TUBE AND ENDOSCOPE CLEANING/DISINFECTING APPARATUS - A cleaning/disinfecting tube allows an opening portion provided in an object to be cleaned accommodated in a cleaning tank of an endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus to communicate with a liquid delivery connector which is provided in the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus and through which a liquid is supplied. The cleaning/disinfecting tube includes a tube connector section to be connected to the opening portion and a holding portion that engages with the object to be cleaned with a gap therebetween and constrains the movement of the tube connector section in a direction away from the opening portion when the tube connector section is connected to the opening portion.01-13-2011
20110004066BODY-INSERTABLE APPARATUS - A body-insertable apparatus includes: an illuminating unit that illuminates the inside of a subject's body; an imaging unit that takes an image of the inside of the subject's body; a first power supplying unit that supplies electric power to the imaging unit; a second power supplying unit that supplies electric power to the illuminating unit; and a switch that either connects the first power supplying unit to the second power supplying unit or disconnects the first power supplying unit from the second power supplying unit. The switch electrically separates the first power supplying unit from the second power supplying unit during at least an illuminating period of the illuminating unit.01-06-2011
20110004060MEDICAL TUBE - A medical tube includes: a tube main body through which a conduit, through which an insertion portion of a cholangioscope is insertable, is pierced from a distal end to a rear end; a side hole that is formed between the distal end and the rear end of the tube main body and causes an outer circumferential side of the insertion portion and the conduit to communicate with each other; and a hardness changing portion that can change the hardness of at least a part of the tube main body including the side hole according to operation by an operator.01-06-2011
20100331624ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM AND ENDOSCOPIC IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An endoscope system includes: an endoscope equipped with an insertion portion, and an image pickup unit disposed at a distal end portion of the insertion portion; an illumination unit detachably connected to the endoscope; an imaging mode input unit used to set an imaging mode of the endoscope to one of a normal-light mode and a special-light mode; a processing condition selection unit which selects a processing condition for a color correction process of an endoscopic image based on the imaging mode; and a processor detachably connected to the endoscope and equipped with an image processing unit which performs the color correction process, under the processing condition selected by the processing condition selection unit, with respect to each of hue regions partitioned by at least eight reference color axes including six reference color axes which divide a color space into R (red), M (magenta), B (blue), C (cyan), G (green), and Y (yellow) hue regions and at least two reference color axes established additionally based on the imaging mode.12-30-2010
20100329520Method and System for Correlating Image and Tissue Characteristic Data - Capsule type endoscopes generate large amounts of in-vivo image data that requires review and analysis by a doctor or clinician. By not reviewing the images gathered from healthy tissue, and only focusing on images indicating potential abnormalities, the time it takes to review the data can be greatly reduced. By correlating the tissue images with a characteristic known to indicate a potential abnormality, only the suspect images need to be reviewed. 12-30-2010
20100324580Ultrasound surgical apparatus and calibration method therefor - An ultrasound surgical apparatus includes a handpiece which includes a probe provided with a proximal end portion mechanically coupled to an ultrasound transducer and a distal end portion used for treatment of a living tissue; a drive portion which outputs a drive signal; a detection portion which detects, in the drive signal, a cavitation level signal corresponding to a state of cavitation generated in a calibration solution, based on the drive signal of calibration signal strength corresponding to class information about the handpiece; a condition storage portion which stores calibration information; an output setting portion which sets the vibration strength; and a control portion which controls the drive portion so as to output the drive signal of drive signal strength corresponding to the vibration strength set by the output setting portion, based on the calibration information and the class information12-23-2010
20100324367CAPSULE MEDICAL APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THEREOF - A capsule medical apparatus is provided with a plurality of rigid boards which are connected in line via a flexible board; and molded bodies. The molded bodies are formed in a manner of covering functional components mounted on the respective rigid boards. The molded bodies keep an inter-board interval between the rigid boards by intervening between facing rigid boards. The molded bodies keep an inter-board interval between the rigid boards by intervening between facing rigid boards.12-23-2010
20100316273IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - A hemorrhage edge candidate area extraction section extracts a candidate area for the outline part of a hemorrhage area, based on an image signal of a medical image constituted by multiple color signals obtained by capturing an image of a living body. A feature quantity calculation section calculates a feature quantity of the hemorrhage area based on calculation of the amount of change in the image signal in a small area including the candidate area, among multiple small areas obtained by dividing the medical image. A hemorrhage edge determination section determines whether or not the candidate areas are the outline part of the hemorrhage area based on the feature quantity.12-16-2010
20100312111ULTRASOUND OPERATION APPARATUS, ULTRASOUND OPERATION SYSTEM, AND CAVITATION SUPPRESSION METHOD - An ultrasound operation apparatus includes an ultrasound transducer; a drive section that drives the ultrasound transducer using a drive signal; a probe that has a proximal end section in which the ultrasound transducer is provided and a distal end section to which ultrasound vibrations are transmitted, and that performs treatment for living tissue by using ultrasound vibrations at the distal end section; a resonance frequency tracking section that drives so as to cause ultrasound vibrations to be generated at a resonance frequency; a detection section that detects a frequency component signal of a frequency component other than a resonance frequency of the drive signal; and a cavitation suppression control section that controls so as to suppress or eliminate cavitations according to the detection result.12-09-2010
20100309553IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND ENDOSCOPE - An image pickup apparatus has a heater device including a heater and a temperature sensor. The heater device is arranged outside the effective light beam range of an objective optical system, with a predetermined air gap between the heater device and an inner circumferential surface of a rigid member that holds a cover glass. The heater device is pressed to the cover glass by an elastic member disposed at an outer circumferential portion of a protruding frame that holds a lens at a distal end. An electrical connection portion of the heater and an electrical connection portion of the temperature sensor of the image pickup apparatus are disposed facing each other with respect to an optical axis, on a proximal end side that is further to the rear than a distal end face of a lens on a distal end side of a front group lens unit that is a side on which a height of an effective light beam of the objective optical system is relatively low.12-09-2010
20100307630ENDOSCOPIC INSTRUMENT AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THEREOF - An endoscopic instrument according to the present invention includes: a wire disposed in a flexible sheath and capable of freely projecting relative to the flexible sheath, the distal end of the wire expanding in radius to form a loop section or a basket section upon being projected from the sheath; and a fixture cylinder for fixing the inserted proximal end of the wire, wherein the fixture cylinder is provided with a wire-radius-increasing-direction-regulating section for regulating the direction in which the radius of the wire increases; and a wire-fixing section, disposed in the vicinity of the proximal end relative to the wire-radius-increasing-direction-regulating section, for fixing the wire.12-09-2010
20100305426POSITIONING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF POSITION DETECTING - A body-insertable apparatus has a resonance circuit for emitting a resonance magnetic field by being guided by a drive magnetic field received from the outside. An external device has: a drive coil driving unit for outputting a drive signal having a predetermined frequency; a drive coil for receiving the output drive signal and generating the drive magnetic field in a detection space; a sense coil for detecting the resonance magnetic field and outputting a detection signal; a position deriving unit for deriving position information of the resonance circuit by using the detection signal; a current detecting unit for detecting a current amplitude value of the drive signal input to the drive coil; and a drive magnetic field generation control unit for calculating an amplitude value of a drive signal which is output from the drive coil driving unit by using the current amplitude value, detecting the degree of stability indicating whether a sharp change occurs in the drive magnetic field on the basis of the calculated amplitude value, and controlling the position deriving unit on the basis of the detected degree of stability in the drive magnetic field detected.12-02-2010
20100305404HOOD ATTACHMENT JIG - A hood attachment jig includes a holding member whose diameter is increasable and that holds an endoscope hood in a state where the holding member is inserted into the endoscope hood; a diameter increasing member that increases the diameter of the holding member by entering the holding member, so that the diameter of the endoscope hood increases; and a push-out member that, when an attachment operation is performed in a state where a tip portion of the endoscope enters the holding member with the increased diameter, pushes out the holding member and the endoscope to separate the holding member and the endoscope from the diameter increasing member so that the endoscope hood, a force of restitution of which reduces the diameter of the holding member, is brought into contact with an outer circumferential surface of the tip portion of the endoscope and further pushes out the endoscope to detach the endoscope from the holding member so that the endoscope hood is attached to the endoscope tip portion.12-02-2010
20100298641ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - An endoscope system of the present invention includes an image pickup section that picks up an image of an object, a position detection section that detects a position indicating a predetermined object in the image of the object obtained by the image pickup section and a probability calculation section that calculates a probability value as a degree indicating accuracy of the position being the predetermined object using first information obtained from the image and second information on a condition of the object whose image is picked up by the image pickup section.11-25-2010
20100298634MEDICAL INSTRUMENT FOR ENDOSCOPE AND TREATMENT METHOD - A medical instrument for an endoscope according to the invention is the medical instrument to be used in the endoscope by being inserted therein, and the medical instrument includes: a flexible elongated sheath having a first lumen and a second lumen; a conductive wire which is inserted into the first lumen and of which a portion of a distal side is exposed to the outside of the sheath as an instrument unit; and a balloon which is attached to the sheath and is expandable with the supply of fluid from the second lumen. The balloon is configured such that an axial dimension thereof is larger than a radial dimension upon expansion and a distal end of the balloon upon expansion is located closer to a proximal side than the treatment unit exposed from the sheath.11-25-2010
20100292573ULTRASOUND OPERATION APPARATUS, CAVITATION CONTROL METHOD, AND ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER CONTROL METHOD - An ultrasound operation apparatus comprises: an ultrasound transducer; a driving section that drives the ultrasound transducer by a drive signal; a probe having a proximal end section provided with the ultrasound transducer and a distal end section to which ultrasound oscillation is transmitted, the probe performing a treatment on a living tissue using ultrasound oscillation at the distal end section; a detecting section that detects, from a drive signal, a physical quantity which varies due to cavitation generated by ultrasound oscillation of the distal end section; and an output control section that controls an output of the driving section in accordance with the detected physical quantity.11-18-2010
20100292534BODY-INTRODUCABLE APPARATUS AND MEDICAL SYSTEM - A body-introducable apparatus includes: a light source unit having a first light source that outputs first light and a second light source that outputs second light in a wavelength band different from that of the first light; a light distribution matching unit that matches distributions of the first light and the second light; an illuminating control unit that illuminates the inside of the subject by driving the light source unit; and an imaging unit that captures an image of the inside of the subject.11-18-2010
20100291802Watertight Connector And Method Of Manufacturing The Same - A waterproof connector with sealing capability includes a connector housing with a plurality of conductive terminals mounted therein. The terminals are arranged around the perimeter of a circle with contact portions exposed at the radial outermost extents along the circle. The housing has a central opening around which the terminals are arranged and the terminals are each bent into a circular arc in their mounting on the housing. The housing is over molded around the terminal at intermediate portions thereof to provide a liquid proof barrier.11-18-2010
20100286668CAPSULE MEDICAL APPARATUS - A capsule medical apparatus includes a living tissue drawing portion in which a space for drawing the living tissue into a body of the capsule medical apparatus is formed; a movable unit that includes an engaging unit, which can be engaged with the living tissue of the subject, and that moves on a surface of the body of the capsule medical apparatus and in the living tissue drawing portion; an injection needle that has an ejection port for a drug and that protrudes such that the ejection port is positioned in the living tissue drawing portion; and an injection needle driver that drives the injection needle such that the injection needle protrudes.11-11-2010
20100283841ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - An endoscope system of the present invention includes an endoscope provided with an image pickup section that picks up an image of an object in a body cavity, a position setting section that sets information on a predetermined position in the object based on information obtained from the image of the object picked up by the image pickup section and a position correction section that corrects the information on the predetermined position set by the position setting section based on information on a boundary line extracted in the image of the object picked up by the image pickup section and outputs information on the corrected position.11-11-2010
20100280340MEDICAL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF SWITCHING ANTENNA - A medical system includes a capsule type medical apparatus introduced into a subject and having an antenna having directionality and a communication unit which executes a communication through the antenna, an external antenna, which is disposed outside of the subject and has an antenna having directionality and an antenna disposed together with the antenna and having directionality in a direction different from the antenna, and an external machine having a selection unit which selects any of the antennas in the external antenna and a second communication unit which executes a communication with the first communication unit through the antenna whose polarized wave surface is selected by the selection unit.11-04-2010
20100280319ELASTOMER MOLDING FOR ENDOSCOPE - The invention provides a flexible tube for an endoscope, which is excellent in elasticity (impact resilience), has suitable flexibility and also has chemical resistance. Disclosed is a flexible tube for an endoscope including a flexible-tube material covered thereon with a jacket, wherein the jacket contains two or more thermoplastic polyester elastomers crosslinked therein.11-04-2010
20100278404MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND MEDICAL IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - A medical image processing apparatus of the present invention is a medical image processing apparatus to which a plurality of color components corresponding to frame-sequentially picked-up images of an object are time-sequentially inputted while maintaining periodicity thereof, including a color component storage section that can store a first color component inputted to the medical image processing apparatus at one timing and a second color component, which is a component of the same wavelength band as that of the first color component inputted to the medical image processing apparatus at timing preceding the one timing by one cycle or more, and an image correction processing section that simultaneously reads the first color component and the second color component stored in the color component storage section and performs image correction processing.11-04-2010
20100274138ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER, ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND ULTRASOUND ENDOSCOPE - An ultrasound transducer of the present invention includes elements each provided with an electromechanical conversion element that converts an electric signal inputted between a first electrode and a second electrode into vibration, an array section made up of n elements in a row direction and m elements in a column direction (nm) arranged in a matrix form, and an array forming section that switches between a one-dimensional array state column-wise made up of m element groups formed by electrically connecting the first electrode terminals neighboring in the row direction out of the first electrode terminals in the element groups arranged on the same column and a one-dimensional array state row-wise made up of n element groups formed by electrically connecting the first electrode terminals neighboring in the column direction out of the first electrode terminals in the element groups arranged on the same row in the array section.10-28-2010
20100268545EXAMINATION MANAGEMENT APPARATUS FOR ENDOSCOPIC EXAMINATION - An examination-schedule memory unit stores an examination schedule including a plurality of examinations. An operation-status acquisition unit acquires the operation status of a washing apparatus that washes a scope used for an examination. A rescheduling unit changes the start time of at least one examination included in an examination schedule in accordance with the operation status acquired by the operation-status acquisition unit. The rescheduling unit may specify the washing-completion time of the used scope based on the washing-start time acquired by the operation-status acquisition unit, determine whether or not an already-washed scope will be available at the start time of each examination based on the specified washing-completion time and the start time of each examination, and change, when it is determined that there will be no already-washed scopes available, the start time of the examination to be after the time at which an already-washed scope will become available.10-21-2010
20100268026CAPSULE ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - A capsule endoscope system includes a contact detector that detects contact with an inner wall of a lumen in the subject; a magnet which is equipped in the capsule endoscope; a magnetic field generating device that is provided at a position, which is fixed with respect to the magnet, and generates a guidance magnetic field to apply to the magnet from the outside of the subject; and a magnetic field generation controller that performs control for guidance in a direction in which the capsule endoscope moves, which is the direction of the axis of the lumen, and performs guidance control for separating the capsule endoscope from the inner wall of the lumen based on a result of detection by the contact detector.10-21-2010
20100266202IMAGING PROCESSOR, BODY-INTRODUCABLE APPARATUS, MEDICAL SYSTEM AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An imaging processor includes an amplifier that increases luminance indicated by green and blue image data on the basis of luminance indicated by red image data out of a plurality of pieces of image data in respective wavelength components, which are pieces of image data representing the same area.10-21-2010
20100252074ENDOSCOPE CLEANING/DISINFECTING APPARATUS AND ENDOSCOPE CLEANING/DISINFECTING METHOD - An endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus for processing an endoscope in a cleaning tank using a diluted chemical obtained by diluting a chemical with hot water in a dilution tank of the present invention introduces the hot water into the cleaning tank immediately before processing, introduces the hot water into the dilution tank after the temperature of the hot water introduced into the cleaning tank falls within a specified temperature range, generates the diluted chemical, introduces the diluted chemical into the cleaning tank and processes the endoscope.10-07-2010
20100251823ACOUSTIC TRANSDUCER AND IMAGE GENERATION APPARATUS - An acoustic transducer has a first transducer which transmits an acoustic primary wave having two frequency components, and a second transducer which, in order to receive a reflected wave of an acoustic secondary wave generated with propagation of the acoustic primary wave, is disposed so that a region for receiving the reflected wave is superimposed on the first transducer as seen along the direction of transmission of the acoustic primary wave.10-07-2010
20100249503MEDICAL INSTRUMENT - By including a camera body introduced into a body, an image pickup section incorporated in the camera body for picking up an image of an object, a transparent cover member movably disposed at the camera body that always covers an image taking side of the image pickup section irrespective of a moving position, a moving section that causes the cover member to move and a cleaning section disposed outside an image pickup range of the image pickup section that performs cleaning by jetting a fluid over the opposed surface part of the cover member moved to outside the image pickup range of the image pickup section, it is possible to always obtain a clear observation image without interfering with observation even when removing fogging, deposits such as dirt.09-30-2010
20100249502MEDICAL INSTRUMENT - 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.09-30-2010
20100241377BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND CHARGER - A battery management system includes a battery attached with an identification ID; and a plurality of chargers for reading the identification ID attached to the battery, the chargers associating the read identification ID with information indicative of an end of charging the battery and sending the information, the chargers charging the battery. The battery management system also includes a management server connected to each of the chargers for receiving the information indicative of the end of charging the battery associated with the identification ID and sent from each of the chargers. The management server cumulatively sums, as the number of chargings, the number of receptions of the information indicative of the end of charging the battery for each identification ID, and the management server associates the identification ID with the cumulatively summed number of chargings and allows the number of chargings to be recorded.09-23-2010
20100225754MEDICAL INSTRUMENT - A medical instrument according to the present invention is a medical instrument used by being introduced into the body and fixed therein, which includes a fixing section fixed to a body wall in the body, an image pickup section that picks up an image of an object to be examined in the body, an illumination section that illuminates the object to be examined in the body and a sheet body in which the illumination section is disposed and which is made unfoldable so as to spread with respect to the image pickup section so that an illumination region of illumination light is expanded in an image pickup region of the image pickup section and a wide range is irradiated with the illumination light, and can thereby irradiate the object to be examined whose images are taken with illumination light of sufficient brightness and luminous intensity distribution.09-09-2010
20100225753MEDICAL INSTRUMENT - A medical instrument used by being introduced into a body and fixed thereto, includes a camera body provided with a fixing section to be fixed to a body wall in the body, an image pickup section incorporated in the camera body that picks up an image of an object to be examined in the body from an observation window formed in the camera body, a contamination removing section provided by being fixed to the camera body, a transparent cover member, an outer surface of which is in contact with the contamination removing section, movably disposed on the observation window and a drive section incorporated in the camera body that drives the cover member to make a sliding contact with the contamination removing section, and can thereby easily and reliably remove deposits stuck to the observation window and obtain a clear observation image even when deposits are being removed.09-09-2010
20100217077LIVING BODY OBSERVING APPARATUS - There is provided a living body observing apparatus capable of reducing time period to be spent on observation of a subject in a living body. The living body observing apparatus of the invention includes: illumination means including one or a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements for emitting illumination light to illuminate a subject; image pickup means for picking up an image of the subject illuminated by the illumination light emitted from the illumination means, and outputting the picked-up image as an image pickup signal; color separation means for separating the image of the subject into red, green, and blue components; and image processing means for performing a predetermined processing on the image pickup signal outputted from the image pickup means, and outputting the processed image pickup signal as a video signal to display the image of the subject on display means. The image processing means performs, as the predetermined processing, color conversion processing to convert the blue component in the image pickup signal into a green component in the video signal, and convert the green component in the image pickup signal into a red component in the video signal.08-26-2010
20100217075MEDICAL APPARATUS SYSTEM - A medical apparatus system includes: an image generating section that generates an image in an observation field of view obtained from an observing section including an objective lens; an information collecting section that collects information of a treatment instrument; a distortion setting section that sets virtual distortion on the outside of the observation field of view from a characteristic of distortion of the objective lens; a distorted image generating section that generates a distorted image on the outside of the observation field of view with respect to the treatment instrument; and an image combining section that generates a combined image such that an image of the treatment instrument on the inside of the observation field of view and a distorted image of the treatment instrument coincide with each other in a boundary of the observation field of view.08-26-2010
20100204566MEDICAL DEVICE GUIDING SYSTEM, MEDICAL DEVICE GUIDING METHOD, AND METHOD FOR CREATING LOOK-UP TABLE TO BE USED IN MEDICAL DEVICE GUIDING SYSTEM - The accurate position detection without being affected by an unnecessary second magnetic field can be realized by calculating the unnecessary second magnetic field induced and generated at positions of magnetic field sensors by a guiding coil arranged around the position detection area of the medical device due to an action of a first magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generator, at the time of position detection, and the second magnetic field is subtracted from the first magnetic field detected by the magnetic field sensors to calculate corrected magnetic-field information. Further, LUTs that store beforehand numerical information having a correlation with the second magnetic field induced and generated at the positions of magnetic field sensors are used to calculate the second magnetic field, thereby enabling to reduce an amount of calculation performed each time and realize high speed processing.08-12-2010
20100204547ENDOSCOPE BENDING CONTROL APPARATUS AND ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - An endoscope bending control apparatus includes: an image feature value calculating section for calculating, based on an endoscopic image, an image feature value related to a luminal dark part; a bending control section for performing bending control on a bending portion in either one of a first bending operation mode in which a position of the luminal dark part is set as an insertion target and a distal end of the insertion portion is directed to the position and a second bending operation mode in which the distal end of the insertion portion is directed in a direction of the position of the luminal dark part; an operation mode switching section for switching an operation mode from one bending operation mode to the other according to a first switching condition based on the calculated image feature value; and a switching condition changing section for changing the first switching condition.08-12-2010
20100204545ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - An endoscope system of the invention includes: an endoscope including an insertion portion, a distal end portion provided on a distal end side of the insertion portion, and a bending portion which is capable of changing a position and an orientation of the distal end portion; a position detecting section for acquiring position information on a position where the distal end portion is located; a passing target position setting section for setting a passing target position for the distal end portion; a path estimating section for estimating a path through which the distal end portion is to be passed; a bending control target position setting section for setting a bending control target position such that the distal end portion reaches the passing target position along the path; and a bending control information calculating section for calculating an amount of bending and a bending direction of the bending portion.08-12-2010
20100204544ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS AND METHOD OF SETTING THE SAME - A processor includes a comparison section for comparing an output (dimming signal) of a dimmer circuit and a predetermined reference value, a setting section for setting a gain of an AGC, a shutter control parameter (charge storage time) in an electronic shutter control section, and an opening area of a light source diaphragm in a light source device based on a comparison result of the comparison section, and the electronic shutter control section for controlling an electronic shutter function of a CCD driving circuit under control of the setting section.08-12-2010
20100201222Ultrasound Transducer Manufactured by Using Micromachining Process, its Device, Endoscopic Ultrasound Diagnosis System Thereof, and Method for Controlling the Same - An ultrasound transducer manufactured by using a micromachining process comprises: a first electrode into which a control signal for transmitting ultrasound is input; a substrate on which the first electrode is formed; a second electrode that is a ground electrode facing the first electrode with a prescribed space between the first and second electrodes; a membrane on which the second electrode is formed and which vibrates and generates the ultrasound when a voltage is applied between the first and second electrodes; a piezoelectric film contacting the membrane; and a third electrode electrically continuous to the piezoelectric film.08-12-2010
20100198008IV-VIVO OBSERVING SYSTEM AND IN-VIVO OBSERVING METHOD - An in-vivo observing system for observing inside of a subject includes an illuminating unit configured to illuminate inside of the subject by illumination light; an imaging unit configured to sequentially capture in-vivo images of the subject illuminated by the illumination light; a direction change unit configured to change an image capturing direction of the imaging unit; and a control unit configured to control the direction change unit to set an angular difference in the imaging capturing direction less than an angle of view of the imaging unit when the imaging unit captures two continuous in-vivo images while causing the direction change unit to change the image capturing direction.08-05-2010
20100191173TREATMENT SYSTEM FOR SURGERY AND CONTROL METHOD OF TREATMENT SYSTEM FOR SURGERY - A treatment system for surgery includes: a handpiece driving apparatus for supplying electric energy to a handpiece, the handpiece including a treatment portion insertable into a body cavity; a perfusion apparatus for perfusing liquid in the body cavity, the perfusion apparatus being capable of adjusting pressure in the body cavity; and a control circuit for controlling the pressure in the body cavity to a different level in conjunction with an output state of the handpiece driving apparatus and changing a flow rate of the perfusion liquid.07-29-2010
20100191056ENDOSCOPE SHAPE ANALYSIS APPARATUS - An endoscope shape analysis apparatus includes a coordinates obtaining portion for obtaining coordinate values of an insertion portion; a storage portion for storing the coordinate values; a straight line setting portion for setting a first straight line A and a second straight line B, based on the coordinate values; a coordinate transformation portion for transforming coordinates of a previous second straight line B07-29-2010
20100182412IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, METHOD OF OPERATING IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND MEDIUM STORING ITS PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes: an obtainment unit for obtaining time-series image data, which is image data captured in time series by a capsule endoscope; an image detection unit for detecting prescribed image data from the obtained time-series image data; a display control unit for displaying a list of the prescribed detection image data among the detected image data; and a display instruction input unit to which an instruction to the display control unit is input, wherein the display instruction input unit comprising a detection method selection unit for selecting a detection method used when detection is performed on the basis of the image detection unit; and a list display selection unit for displaying a list of the image data by using the display control unit.07-22-2010
20100179782POSITION DETECTING DEVICE - A position detecting device includes a position calculator that performs an optimization convergence calculation using an evaluation function that expresses an error between a measurement value and a theoretical value of magnetic field information of a detection target to calculate at least a position of the detection target; a storage unit that stores a final convergence result of the optimization convergence calculation performed by the position calculator; and a controller that determines whether a result of the optimization convergence calculation converges, suspends the optimization convergence calculation performed by the position calculator when the result does not converge, and performs, after a predetermined time has passed, a returning process of returning a state of the optimization convergence calculation to a converged state by causing the position calculator to perform the optimization convergence calculation based on the final convergence result.07-15-2010
20100179381BODY-INSERTABLE APPARATUS SYSTEM - A body-insertable apparatus system has a body insertable apparatus that is inserted into a subject and a control apparatus. The body-insertable apparatus includes a magnetic responding unit that is provided within a casing forming the body-insertable apparatus and has a magnetization direction; and a needle that is protruded and retracted with respect to a surface of the casing. The control apparatus includes a magnetic field generator that generates a magnetic field; and a control unit that causes the magnetic field generator to generate a magnetic field for changing an orientation of the magnetic responding unit based on the magnetization direction of the magnetic responding unit in the body-insertable apparatus, a position of the needle in the body-insertable apparatus, and a distal end direction of the needle, thereby changing an orientation of the entire body-insertable apparatus to enable the protruded needle to puncture a puncture target layer.07-15-2010
20100168744MEDICAL DEVICE SYSTEM - The medical device system includes: first and second medical devices that are used in the body cavity and surfaces of which have conductivity; a first electrode electrically connected to the surface of the first medical device; a second electrode electrically connected to the surface of the second medical device; a resistance measuring unit for measuring an inter-device resistance value between the first electrode and the second electrode; a threshold storing unit for storing a predetermined lower limit threshold of the inter-device resistance value; a determining unit for determining, when the inter-device resistance value is lower than the inter-device resistance threshold, that the first medical device and the second medical device come into contact with each other; and a warning generating unit for generating a warning.07-01-2010
20100168742SURGICAL OPERATION SYSTEM AND SURGICAL OPERATION METHOD - The surgical operation system includes a treatment section for treating a living tissue of a treatment target; an ultrasound generation section for providing ultrasound to the treatment section; an ultrasound drive power supply section for supplying ultrasound drive power to generate ultrasound to the ultrasound generation section; a high-frequency power supply section for supplying high-frequency power to the treatment section; an impedance detection section for detecting the impedance of the ultrasound provided to the living tissue and the impedance of the high-frequency power supplied to the living tissue; and a control section for controlling the ultrasound energy amount and the amount of high-frequency power or a crest factor value thereof in response to the detected impedance values of ultrasound and high-frequency wave.07-01-2010
20100168516CAPSULE GUIDING SYSTEM AND CAPSULE GUIDING METHOD - A capsule guiding system includes a capsule medical device having an imaging device that takes an in-vivo image of a subject and a magnet with a magnetization direction that is relatively fixed with respect to the imaging device; a magnetic guiding device that applies a magnetic field to the magnet in the subject and guides the capsule medical device; a display unit that displays the in-vivo image of the subject; and a control unit that causes the magnetic guiding device to apply a magnetic field in a reference direction to the magnet, initializes a rotation angle of an image taken by the imaging device when the magnetization direction of the magnet is oriented to the reference direction following the magnetic field in the reference direction, performs, referring to the image, rotation correction on subsequent in-vivo images, and causes the display unit to sequentially display the corrected in-vivo images.07-01-2010
20100160813MEDICAL APPARATUS AND LIVING TISSUE FREEZING AND HARVESTING APPARATUS - A first trocar as an medical apparatus includes an insertion hole having a projection opening for leading out a biopsy forceps into a body of a subject, a lid body for blocking the projection opening of the insertion hole, and a cooling sheet for cryogenically cooling a biopsy portion arranged in the vicinity of the lid body in a state where the biopsy forceps is stored in the insertion hole, and is capable of easily harvesting a living tissue while retaining morphological change of tissues in a living body under various hemodynamics.06-24-2010
20100160728ACTIVE MEDICAL APPARATUS SYSTEM AND DRIVE CONTROL METHOD - An active medical apparatus system includes: an active medical apparatus having a joint; an active medical apparatus driving section; an instruction input section; an instruction input section driving section to which information of a force acting on the active medical apparatus is fed back and inputted, and which drives the instruction input section according to the information of force, a determining section which determines whether or not a movement of the instruction input section in the acting direction of the driving force driving the instruction input section is generated in an amount of a threshold value or more; and a control section which, when the movement of the instruction input section is generated in the amount of the threshold value or more, suppresses at least one of the driving in the instruction input section driving section and the driving in the active medical apparatus driving section.06-24-2010
20100156399POSITION DETECTING DEVICE, MEDICAL DEVICE GUIDANCE SYSTEM, POSITION DETECTING METHOD, AND MEDICAL DEVICE GUIDING METHOD - A position detecting device includes a detected object that includes a circuit with an internal coil; a magnetic-field generator that includes a magnetic-field generating coil for generating a magnetic field with respect to a detection space of the detected object; detection coils that detect an induced magnetic field generated from the internal coil caused by the magnetic field; a magnetic-field-generating-coil switching unit that selects a magnetic-field generating coil from the magnetic-field generating coils in the magnetic-field generator; a storage unit that stores predetermined information for selecting a magnetic-field generating coil from the magnetic-field generating coils in the magnetic-field generator; and a control unit that controls the magnetic-field-generating-coil switching unit to select the magnetic-field generating coil to be operated among the magnetic-field generating coils in the first magnetic-field generator, based on at least one of a position and a direction of the detected object and based on the predetermined information.06-24-2010
20100145332SURGICAL SYSTEM AND SURGICAL METHOD - A surgical system includes: a treatment portion for treating living body tissue targeted for treatment; an ultrasound supplying section for supplying ultrasound via ultrasound transducers which produce ultrasound vibration; a radio-frequency electrical power supplying section for supplying, to the treatment portion, radio-frequency electrical power having an output wave-form defined by a base frequency and a repetition frequency; and a controlling section for controlling at least one of a voltage root-mean-square value and a crest factor, so that the voltage peak value of the output wave-form of the radio-frequency electrical power does not exceed a fixed value.06-10-2010
20100145144ENDOSCOPE - An endoscope includes: a treatment instrument elevator base including a contact surface which contacts with a treatment instrument inserted into a treatment instrument insertion channel, and rotatably provided to a distal end to elevate the instrument; a contact portion provided to the distal end to contact with the instrument when the elevator base is elevated; a first leading portion provided to the contact surface to lead the instrument to a predetermined position on the contact surface as the elevator base is rotated; a holding portion provided to the contact surface and the contact portion, and including a grasping surface for sandwiching the instrument with a diameter not exceeding a predetermined value; and a second leading portion provided to the contact portion to lead the instrument larger than the grasping surface away from the holding portion.06-10-2010
20100142058OBJECTIVE OPTICAL SYSTEM - The invention relates to a high-performance imaging optical system that achieves a magnification high enough to be capable of microscopic viewing under an endoscope, and is compatible with high-definition imaging devices. The objective optical system comprises, at least in order from the object side, a positive, first group G06-10-2010
20100137708INTRA-SUBJECT POSITION DETECTION SYSTEM AND INTRA-SUBJECT POSITION DETECTION METHOD - From among plural receiver electrodes for receiving a transmission signal transmitted from transmitter electrodes of an intra-subject introduction device, receiver electrodes for receiving an image reception signal are selected by a receiver electrode selection circuit. Further, receiver electrodes for receiving a signal for position detection are selected by a receiver electrode selection circuit, from among the other ones of the plural receiver electrodes than the receiver electrodes selected by the receiver electrode selection circuit.06-03-2010
20100137682ENDOSCOPE - There is provided an endoscope capable of observing cells at a desired position existing in the depth direction with a simple structure as compared to the conventional configuration. The endoscope includes an insert unit to be inserted into a biological body, a low-scaling observation system for observing an observation position in a biological body with a low scaling, and a high-scaling observation system for observing a target position of the aforementioned observation position as a local position with a high scaling. The high-scaling observation system includes a plurality of illumination units for applying illumination light for high-scaling observation of the target position. The illumination units are arranged at predetermined positions of the end face of the insert unit.06-03-2010
20100134096POSITION DETECTING DEVICE, MEDICAL DEVICE GUIDING SYSTEM, POSITION DETECTING METHOD, AND MEDICAL DEVICE GUIDING METHOD - Provided is a position detecting device including a first magnetic-field generating unit including at least one magnetic-field generating coil and that generates a first magnetic field in a detection space where a detected object provided with a circuit including at least one built-in coil is disposed; a magnetic-field detecting unit having a plurality of detecting coils arrayed to detect an induced magnetic field generated from the built-in coil by the generated first magnetic field; and a second magnetic-field generating unit including at least one magnetic-field generating coil, that generates a second magnetic field, and including a magnetic-field component having a phase substantially opposite to the first magnetic field and entering the detecting coils, wherein the first magnetic-field generating unit and the detecting coils are disposed so that a generating direction of the first magnetic field and a detecting direction of the induced magnetic field intersect each other.06-03-2010
20100130822CAPSULE-TYPE MEDICAL DEVICE AND METHOD OF MONITORING ESOPHAGUS INSIDE AND STOMACH INSIDE, METHOD OF MONITORING STOMACH INSIDE AND METHOD OF WASHING STOMACH USING THE SAME - The specific gravity of a capsule-type endoscope according to the invention is set to be lower than that of liquid in an organ, so that the capsule-type endoscope is floated on a liquid surface of the liquid. A center of gravity of the capsule-type endoscope is set to a position deviated from a center of a casing, so that the casing is maintained in a specific floating position while being floated on the liquid surface. A boundary between the casing and the liquid surface is formed within a projection plane, which is obtained by projecting the casing in the specific floating position perpendicularly to the liquid surface, at a position excluding an outer periphery of the projection plane Ka.05-27-2010
20100130820RECEIVING DEVICE - A receiving device includes a receiving unit that receives, via a receiving antenna, an image signal including an in-vivo image of a subject that is captured by an in-vivo-image acquiring device introduced into the subject; a transmitting unit that wirelessly transmits the image signal to a real-time display device that displays the in-vivo image in real time; a detecting unit that detects a non-receiving period in which the receiving unit does not receive the image signal; and a control unit that performs a control to wirelessly transmit the image signal to the real-time display device during the non-receiving period immediately after receipt of the image signal by the receiving unit.05-27-2010
20100121150CAPSULE MEDICAL APPARATUS AND CURRENT-CARRYING CONTROL METHOD - An object of the present invention is to readily initiate an operation of a capsule medical apparatus which is inserted into a subject and executes a predetermined function. In a capsule endoscope 05-13-2010
20100115469CAPSULE ENDOSCOPE IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE - A capsule endoscope image display device displays, on a display screen, at least a search character input window, a thumbnail specification input button for specifying a thumbnail, and a report specification input button for specifying a report. When the thumbnail specification input button is operated, thumbnails to which a comment including characters input in the search character input window is added are searched for in a recording device, and their listing is displayed in a scrollable manner. When the report specification input button is operated, reports including the characters input in the search character input window are searched for, and their listing is displayed in a scrollable manner. In this way, data associated with an image of desired position, lesion portion, etc. can be easily grasped from among many pieces of image information.05-06-2010
20100113872MEDICAL APPARATUS AND PROCEDURE OF INSTALLING MEDICAL APPARATUS IN PATIENT - A medical apparatus includes a medical instrument that is introduced into a body cavity and has a driven posture control portion; a fixing portion for fixing the medical instrument to a body wall inside a body cavity; a movable portion that is interposed between the medical instrument and the fixing portion and movably connects the medical instrument to the fixing portion; and an extracorporeal device that is installed outside the body and has a posture control portion that moves the medical instrument relative to the fixing portion.05-06-2010
20100106158High-frequency surgical apparatus and high-frequency surgical method for closure of patent foramen ovale - A high-frequency surgical PFO closure apparatus used to treat patent foramen ovale in the heart includes a first and second electrodes which grasp living tissue of the patent foramen ovale; a high-frequency power supply section which supplies high-frequency power to the living tissue via the electrodes; an impedance measuring section which measures an impedance value by supplying high-frequency power to the living tissue; a grasping condition determining section which determines, based on the measured impedance value, a grasping condition regarding how the living tissue is grasped in blood by the electrodes; and a control section which controls high-frequency power supply at a predetermined power level needed to treat the patent foramen ovale, according to a result of the determination.04-29-2010
20100106157MEDICAL MANIPULATION APPARATUS - An active mechanism control apparatus includes a state detecting section which detects an output state of energy supplied to an energy treatment instrument by a status signal from an energy output apparatus. The state detecting section controls an energy output device, an active endoscope control section and an active treatment instrument control section based on the output state of the energy to the energy treatment instrument.04-29-2010
20100104156MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - The medical image processing apparatus of the present invention includes: a three-dimensional model estimating section that estimates a three-dimensional model based on a two-dimensional image; a local region setting section that sets a plurality of local regions around a target pixel in the two-dimensional image; a shape feature value calculating section that uses three-dimensional coordinate data corresponding to the plurality of local regions and calculates shape feature values of respective voxels corresponding to the target pixel; a shape feature value selecting section that selects, as a shape feature value of a voxel corresponding to the target pixel, a shape feature value calculated according to one local region including an optimum three-dimensional coordinate data amount among the plurality of shape feature values; and an elevated shape detecting section that detects an elevated shape existing in the two-dimensional image based on a selection result of the shape feature value selecting section.04-29-2010
20100099948IN-VIVO INFORMATION DISPLAY DEVICE, IN-VIVO INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM, AND IN-VIVO INFORMATION DISPLAY METHOD - An in-vivo information display device includes a communication unit that communicates with a receiving device that receives in-vivo information transmitted, at a predetermined time interval, from a body-insertable device that is introduced into a subject and acquires the in-vivo information regarding an inside of the subject; a transmission requesting unit that transmits a transmission request for the in-vivo information to the receiving device via the communication unit; and a display unit that displays the in-vivo information received via the communication unit from the receiving device in response to the transmission request. The transmission requesting unit transmits the transmission request to the receiving device at a first time interval smaller than the predetermined time interval, and the transmission requesting unit transmits the transmission request to the receiving device at a second time interval larger than the first time interval when one or more the in-vivo information is received.04-22-2010
20100099947FISTULECTOMY METHOD OF FORMING A FISTULA BETWEEN A FIRST DUCT AND A SECOND DUCT - A fistulectomy method of forming a fistula between a first duct and a second duct is provided. The method including: inserting an insertion portion of an endoscope having a channel into the first duct; inserting a treatment instrument into the channel; feeding a distal end of the treatment instrument into the second duct through the first duct; discharging a first magnet from the distal end of the treatment instrument to the second duct; pulling the treatment instrument from the second duct; discharging a second magnet to the first duct; and attaching the first magnet and the second magnet magnetically when the first and second ducts are between the first and second magnets.04-22-2010
20100097453MONITOR DEVICE FOR USE WITH AN ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - A monitor device for use with an endoscope apparatus, which has first and second display modes. In the first display mode, the monitor device displays, in real time, any image transmitted in a normal radio communication state. In the second display mode, the monitor device displays a noise-free image in real time, if a radio communication error occurs. If one-frame (or one-field) image data is not received within the frame (or field) time due to a communication error, the monitor device displays, in the second display mode, the image data received in a normal state immediately before the one-frame (or one-field) image data, and informs the operator of the communication error.04-22-2010
20100097392IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE, IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM STORING IMAGE DISPLAY PROGRAM - An image display device includes an image extracting unit that extracts one or more representative images satisfying a predetermined condition from a series of images captured in time-series; and a display unit that displays the one or more representative images extracted by the image extracting unit in a list and displays information of an image not extracted by the image extracting unit.04-22-2010
20100094284ORGAN INCISION METHOD - A method of making an incision in an organ includes piercing, by a puncture needle having a proximal end and a distal end, an abdominal wall and an organ that is to be incised, disposing, via the puncture needle, an electrode, to which a first end of a cable is electrically connected, inside the organ, and disposing a second end of the cable outside a body, performing insufflation using a conduit so as to form a space between the abdominal wall and the organ, pulling the cable farther from the second end so that the electrode is placed in contact with an incision position of the organ, and the incision position of the organ is pulled into the space, and supplying power to the cable so that an incision is made by the electrode at the incision position of the organ.04-15-2010
20100094282Electrosurgical apparatus and method of controlling electrosurgical apparatus - An electrosurgical apparatus in the present invention has a high frequency power generation section which generates high frequency power to be applied to a living tissue, a voltage detection section which detects the voltage of the high frequency power, a current detection section which detects the current of the high frequency power, an impedance computation section which computes the impedance of the living tissue on the basis of the voltage and the current, and a control section which, when the impedance exceeds a predetermined threshold value, performs control for increasing the frequency of the high frequency power stepwise on the high frequency power generation section.04-15-2010
20100094277HIGH-FREQUENCY SURGICAL DEVICE AND METHOD - A high-frequency surgical device includes: a treatment section provided with electrodes for supplying high-frequency power to living tissue of a patent foramen ovale; a high-frequency power supplying section for supplying high-frequency power to living tissue around the electrodes through the electrodes; a blood flow detecting section for detecting intracardiac blood flow information based on biological information inputted from outside; and a control section for controlling high-frequency power to be supplied to the side of electrodes based on the blood flow information.04-15-2010
20100094276ELECTROSURGICAL APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ELECTROSURGICAL APPARATUS - A high-frequency cauterization power source is an electrosurgical apparatus for joining biological tissues. The electrosurgical apparatus includes a high frequency power supply portion for supplying a high frequency power that is applied to biological tissues; a detection portion for detecting a voltage and a current of a high frequency power that is output from the high frequency power supply portion; a tissue impedance calculating portion that calculates an impedance of biological tissue based on respective values for voltage and current detected at the detection portion; and a control portion that controls so as to substantially stop supply of the high frequency power from the high frequency power supply portion based on whether or not an increase greater than or equal to a predetermined value in the impedance that is calculated at the tissue impedance calculating portion occurs two times.04-15-2010

Patent applications by OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.