An image processing apparatus including a processor comprising hardware. The processor being configured to: divide an imaging signal that is obtained by capturing an image of an inside of a subject into a first base component and a detail component, the first base component corresponding to an illumination component of an object, the detail component corresponding to a reflectance component of the object; generate a second base component by performing a color enhancement process on the first base component for increasing color gradation in a predetermined color space; and synthesize the second base component and the detail component to output a synthesized signal. Where the color enhancement process is an enhancement processing on the first base component for extending a color distribution range of at least one component of an L component, an a component, and a b component in a Lab color space.

An insertion device comprising an insertion portion configured to be inserted into a subject and having a longitudinal axis in a state of forming a straight line. A bending portion is provided at a distal end side of the insertion portion. A bending tube is provided in the bending portion. A traction member is disposed in the bending portion. The bending tube includes a first joint ring and a second joint ring. The first joint ring is joined to the second joint ring in an adjacent manner. The first joint ring has a first contact portion where the traction member contacts an outer peripheral portion of the first joint ring. The second joint ring has a second contact portion where the traction member contacts an inner peripheral portion of the second joint ring. Application of tension on the traction member bends the bending portion.

An optical-scanning-type observation probe is provided with: an imaging optical system that illumination light scanned by an optical scanner enters and that focuses the illumination light in the form of a spot, multiple times; a projection optical system that emits illumination light coming from a focus position focused by the imaging optical system, toward a subject in the form of a spot; and a light-receiver that is provided independently of the imaging optical system and the projection optical system and that receives reflected light of the illumination light, the reflected light coming from the subject, via a light path different from that of the imaging optical system and the projection optical system.

A light-guiding structure according to the invention is used in an endoscope for guiding light along a lengthwise direction and includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion extends in a single cross section along the lengthwise direction. The second portion extends in a varying cross section along the lengthwise direction and is connected to an end of the first portion in the lengthwise direction. An endoscope tip includes a circuit board, an image-capturing component, a light-emitting component, and the light-guiding structure. The light-guiding structure can fit the contours of the circuit board and the image-capturing component to increase space usage for obtaining more cross-sectional area. For the production of the light-guiding structure, the second portion is formed by shaping a portion directly extending form the end of the first portion or by an additional material directly bonded to the end of the first portion by molding.

An endoscope system irradiates a subject with each of a plurality of pieces of illumination light in a preset order, images the subject according to a preset first imaging frame rate during a first period in which first illumination light included in the plurality of the illumination light is applied, acquires a first image captured during the first period, generates a first display image according to a first display frame rate higher than the first imaging frame rate on the basis of the acquired first image, and displays the first display image on a display.

An endoscope system irradiates a subject with each of a plurality of pieces of illumination light in a preset order, images the subject according to a preset first imaging frame rate during a first period in which first illumination light included in the plurality of the illumination light is applied, acquires a first image captured during the first period, generates a first display image according to a first display frame rate higher than the first imaging frame rate on the basis of the acquired first image, and displays the first display image on a display.

An imaging optical system according to the present disclosure includes: an aperture stop; an image-forming optical system that causes an image to be formed toward an imaging plane of an image sensor; and an optical phase modulator that includes a substance having a birefringence index, and gives two pupil functions to the image-forming optical system. The following conditional expressions are satisfied:

1≤(2×L×tan(w)+D)/D<1.4   (1)

λ/4*0.75<Re<λ/4*1.1   (2), where L: a distance between the aperture stop and the optical phase modulator; D: an aperture diameter (diameter) of the aperture stop; w: a maximum angle of incidence of a principal light ray that enters the aperture stop; λ: a wavelength of light; and Re: phase retardation caused by birefringence of the optical phase modulator.

A light amount control unit of an endoscope derives a photometric value in an area of an observation spot corresponding to each of angular ranges of a first light output unit and a second light output unit having different wavelength ranges based on imaging data about the observation spot output from an imaging unit, derives an amount of light from each of the first light output unit and the second light output unit based on the derived photometric value, and causes each of the first light output unit and the second light output unit to output illumination light based on the derived amount of light.

A light amount control unit of an endoscope derives a photometric value in an area of an observation spot corresponding to each of angular ranges of a first light output unit and a second light output unit having different wavelength ranges based on imaging data about the observation spot output from an imaging unit, derives an amount of light from each of the first light output unit and the second light output unit based on the derived photometric value, and causes each of the first light output unit and the second light output unit to output illumination light based on the derived amount of light.

An imaging system (100) comprises a multimode waveguide (Wm) configured to receive input light (Li) from a light source (20) into its proximal side (13p) and output a corresponding speckle pattern (Pn) based on the input light (Li) out of its distal side (13d) for illuminating a sample (S) to be imaged. A single-mode waveguide (Ws) is connected to the multimode waveguide (Wm) for coupling the input light (Li) from the light source (20) to the multimode waveguide (Wm). The multimode waveguide (Wm) has a relatively short length (Zm) and relatively high flexural rigidity (R) for maintaining a unique relation between the input characteristic (λ,A) of the input light (Li) into the multimode waveguide (Wm) and a spatial distribution (Ixy) of the speckle pattern (Pn). The single-mode waveguide (Ws) may be relatively long and flexible (F) for allowing movement of the short rigid multimode waveguide (Wm).