A light source apparatus includes an optical illumination unit that converts optical characteristics of primary light emitted from a light source unit and emits secondary light different from the primary light; and an adapter unit that outwardly emits illumination light generated based on the secondary light emitted from the optical illumination unit and that is attachable to/detachable from the optical illumination unit. A radiation angle control member converts a traveling direction of the secondary light so that the secondary light allowed to emit from a light conversion member toward the radiation angle control member in the secondary light allowed to emit from the light conversion member travels toward the adapter unit through the secondary light emit portion.

A moving device includes an elastic tube, a sectional shape of which is elastically deformable according to an internal pressure given by fluid, a slider unit capable of moving forward and backward in a longitudinal direction of the elastic tube according to a change in the sectional shape of the elastic tube, a brake provided in the slider unit and configured to be deformed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elastic tube to be capable of coming into sliding contact with a target object, and a fluid adjusting section configured to supply air to or discharge air from the elastic tube respectively via first and second fluid supply pipes that respectively communicate with insides on a distal end side and a proximal end side of the elastic tube.

An endoscope having an elongate shaft and a system tube, which extends inside the shaft and in which an image carrier is arranged, the system tube is held in an axial direction of the shaft by means of at least one resilient latching element, and a method for producing such an endoscope and to a latching element for such an endoscope.

An endoluminal crawler used in endoscopic procedures includes a body and an actuation unit. The body includes a tubular portion. The actuation unit includes an actuator providing a rotational output and a traction belt. The traction belt includes a traction portion and an engaging portion. The traction portion protrudes out of a slot defined in the tubular portion and the engaging portion operatively engages the actuator.

An illumination unit includes a light guide and a light converter. Wettability which a distal end side surface of the light guide has for an enclosing member of the light converter is lower than wettability which a distal end face has for the enclosing member.

The present invention provides a receptacle connector including: a grounding portion configured to ground a connection object; and a ground connection terminal that is configured to be switchably held in a first state in which the ground connection terminal is electrically separated from the grounding portion, or in a second state in which the ground connection terminal is electrically brought into conduction with the grounding portion. The ground connection terminal is switched between the first state and the second state in operative association with interlining of the plug connector and the fitting portion. In the first state, the grounding terminal and the grounding portion are electrically separated. In the second state, the grounding terminal and the grounding portion are electrically brought into conduction with each other through the ground connection terminal.

Endoscopes having a tip section with viewing elements coupled to a CMOS image sensor and/or a CCD image sensor for transforming light captured by the viewing element into digital and/or analog signals are described. A main connector is coupled with the tip section for transmitting the signals to a main control unit of the endoscope. The main connector includes a pad for transmitting digital signals provided by the CMOS image sensor to a push pin probe in a receptacle of the main control unit. The main connector also include another interface for transmitting analog signals to the main control unit.

A prism holder for use with a surgical instrument, having a prism. The prism holder including: a casing for receiving the prism; and at least one prism pressure element configured to be brought into contact with a pressure surface of the prism; wherein the casing having an opening for arrangement of the at least one prism pressure element in the opening.

A deflection prism assembly for an endoscope having a lateral viewing direction, the deflection prism assembly including: a prism holder; and a deflection prism accommodated in the prism holder; wherein the deflection prism has a light outlet surface and an opposite light inlet surface arranged obliquely to the light outlet surface, the deflection prism further having a lateral surface extending between the light inlet surface and the light outlet surface; and the prism holder accommodates the deflection prism such that the prism holder surrounds less than all regions of the lateral surface of the deflection prism.

A bending operation system includes an elongated tubular portion including a bending portion, a first linear member and a second linear member which cause the bending portion to bend, and a drive portion which displaces the first linear member and the second linear member. The bending operation system further includes a first displacement detector which acquires a displacement of the first linear member as a first displacement, a second displacement detector which acquires a displacement of the second linear member as a second displacement, and a calculator which calculates operation assist information by use of one or both of the first displacement and the second displacement.