A plenoptic endoscope includes a fiber bundle with a distal end configured to receive light from a target imaging region, a sensor end disposed opposite the distal end, and a plurality of fiber optic strands each extending from the distal end to the sensor end. The plenoptic endoscope also includes an image sensor coupled to the sensor end of the fiber bundle, and a plurality of microlenses disposed between the image sensor and the sensor end of the fiber bundle, the plurality of microlens elements forming an array that receives light from one or more of the plurality of fiber optic strands of the fiber bundle and directs the light onto the image sensor. The plurality of microlens elements and the image sensor together form a plenoptic camera configured to capture information about a light field emanating from the target imaging region.

A light source apparatus includes a light source optically connectable to a scope including a light guide configured to guide light, and first and second illumination light emission units configured to radiate illumination light based on the guided light on a subject, and a light quantity distribution changing device disposed on an optical path of the light emitted from the light source. The light quantity distribution changing device is configured to control a light quantity of the light brought into each of the first illumination light emission unit and the second illumination light emission unit, so as to change a light quantity distribution of the illumination light radiated on the subject.

The disclosure relates to an endoscopic light source that includes a first emitter. The first emitter may emit light of a first wavelength at a dichroic mirror which reflects the light of the first wavelength to a plurality of optical fibers. The endoscopic light source further comprises a second emitter. The second emitter may emit light of a second wavelength at a second dichroic mirror which reflects the light of the second wavelength to the plurality of optical fibers. In one embodiment, the first dichroic mirror may be transparent to the light of the second wavelength, allowing the light of the second wavelength to pass through the first dichroic mirror.

An endoscope has a cannula, one and only one translucent or transparent cover at a distal end of the cannula, a light source and imaging system, both inside the cannula. The light source delivers light into the cover. At least some of that light passes through the cover to illuminate an inspection site inside the patient's body; some of that light is internally reflected at an outer surface of the cover to travel back toward an inner surface of the cover. The imaging system receives the light that has been reflected off the inspection site and returned to the endoscope through the cover. The components are configured such that none of the light that is internally reflected at the outer surface of the cover reaches an optical input of the imaging system directly (e.g., without being further reflected).

A plenoptic endoscope includes a fiber bundle with a distal end configured to receive light from a target imaging region, a sensor end disposed opposite the distal end, and a plurality of fiber optic strands each extending from the distal end to the sensor end. The plenoptic endoscope also includes an image sensor coupled to the sensor end of the fiber bundle, and a plurality of microlenses disposed between the image sensor and the sensor end of the fiber bundle, the plurality of microlens elements forming an array that receives light from one or more of the plurality of fiber optic strands of the fiber bundle and directs the light onto the image sensor. The plurality of microlens elements and the image sensor together form a plenoptic camera configured to capture information about a light field emanating from the target imaging region.

Provided is a medical observation system capable of preventing disconnection of metal cables without increasing the thickness of a braided shield wire. The medical observation system includes a transmission cable including: an optical cable having one or more optical fiber cores; a plurality of metal cables arranged around the optical cable; and a tension member made of a high-strength fiber, and disposed in parallel with an extending direction of the optical cable.

An arthroscope's insertion shaft has near its distal end a solid state camera. The shaft has an outer diameter of no more than 6 mm, and has rigidity and strength for insertion of the camera into joints for arthroscopic surgery. Light conductor(s) have a flattened region shaped to lie between an endoscope camera and an inner surface of an outer wall of an endoscope shaft. The flattened region is shaped to conduct illumination light though the space between the camera and inner surface of the other wall to a distal end of the endoscope shaft for illumination of a surgical cavity to be viewed by the camera. The flattened region is formed by heating a region of a plastic optical fiber, and squeezing the heated region in a polished mold.

An endoscopic probe comprises a flexible light guide extending from a proximal end of the endoscopic probe to a distal end portion of the endoscopic probe. A motor is disposed in the distal end portion of the endoscopic probe. The motor comprises a rotor coupled to drive rotation of a light deflector. The light deflector is located between the rotor and a distal end of the endoscopic probe. The rotor is configured to provide a light path extending axially through the rotor. The light path arranged to carry light between the light deflector and the light guide. The endoscopic probe may be applied for helical scanning walls of small passages in any of a wide range of modalities such as OCT, fluorescence imaging, Raman spectroscopy, reflectance imaging.

A medical endoscope including: an elongated shaft with a distal end region having a non-circular cross-section and a shaft main section arranged proximally from the distal end region, an at least one light guide having a plurality of individual fibres disposed longitudinally through the shaft, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of individual fibres in the distal end region are bonded over a length of at least 50% of the distal end region with an inflexible adhesive.

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