An optical probe having a controlled viewing angle lens tip is provided that includes an elastomer lumen, where the elastomer lumen includes internal dividers disposed to separate the elastomer lumen into a plurality of channels, a lens that is sealably attached to a distal end of the elastomer lumen, where each channel is disposed to operate as an independent hydraulic channel, where an angle of the lens relative to a central axis of the elastomer lumen is positioned according to a state of pressure in each independent hydraulic channel, and a hydraulic generator, where the hydraulic generator is disposed to pressurize each hydraulic channel to a defined state as set by a computer input from a to computer.

Provided is a medical observation system that includes a first medical signal processing device including a first signal processing unit that acquires first image data corresponding to a result of image capturing of an affected part by a medical observation device and provides first signal processing to the first image data, and a second medical signal processing device including a second signal processing unit that acquires second image data corresponding to the result of image capturing from the first medical signal processing device through a predetermined network and provides second signal processing to the second image data. The second signal processing unit transmits information related to the second signal processing to the first medical signal processing device. The first signal processing unit controls the first signal processing based on the second signal processing.

A lens system is configured to form an image of an object on an imaging surface of an image sensor. A branching optical system is configured such that an image-forming light flux in the lens system is split and propagated into a plurality of optical paths having different optical path lengths and such that the principal rays of a plurality of image-forming light fluxes obtained after the splitting are incident on a predetermined region of the image sensor.

A disinfection system is provided. The disinfection system may utilize ultraviolet light and/or ozone for disinfection of infected tissue. For example the system may involve an endoscopic ultraviolet light to disinfect lung tissue. In another aspect, the system may involve a ventilator which provides ozone in small doses to disinfect the tissue. Combinations and variations are further disclosed.

Provided is an objective optical system including: a first spherical lens and a second spherical lens that are arrayed in this order from an object; and at least one of a first optical medium and a second optical medium, wherein the first optical medium is a solid or liquid disposed at an object side of the first spherical lens and is in close contact with a surface on the object side of the first spherical lens, over an entire optical path; and the second optical medium is a solid or liquid disposed at an opposite side of the second spherical lens from the object and is in close contact with a surface on the opposite side of the second spherical lens from the object, over the entire optical path.

An operation switching mechanism includes a wire, a reciprocating movement member, a first biasing member, a second biasing member, switching members configured to switch states in which the first biasing member and the second biasing member perform biasing, and an operation member configured to operate the switching members according to operation from an outside and move the reciprocating movement member to a first movement position or a second movement position.

A medical imaging apparatus 11 captures observation light from an observed region inside a subject. This medical imaging apparatus 11 includes plural types of optical path separation devices 5, 6 which respectively guide first observation light and second observation light that are included in observation light from scopes 2, 3 that are inserted into the subject, take in the observation light from the observed region inside the subject, and emit the observation light, along optical paths being different from each other; and an imaging apparatus 7 which is shared by the plural types of optical path separation devices 5,6, is detachably connected to the plural types of optical path separation devices 5,6, and captures the first observation light and the second observation light respectively guided by the connected optical path separation devices.

In various embodiments, a scope-based imaging system is introduced. An optical sensor assembly located at the tip of the scope may include the CMOS sensors, filters, and lenses/mirrors, to perform fluorescence imaging using the scope.

An optical device, generally a camera head connected to an endoscope, provides multiple modes of operation, producing images with varying depth of field and/or resolution characteristics. Light from the endoscope passes through a variable aperture and a beam splitter and is directed to two or more independent image sensors. The image sensors may be moved, relative to each other, along their optical paths. An image processor combines the collected images into a resultant image. Adjustment of the relative positions of the image sensor and/or the diameter of the variable aperture permits the selection of optical properties desired, with a larger depth of field, and/or higher resolution than possible with a conventional system. Images may be collected through multiple acquisition periods, and a further enhanced image may be generated therefrom. The camera head may automatically make adjustments based on identifiers of the optical configuration of the attached endoscope.

The invention relates to a variable focus lens comprising an elastically deformable optical element (7) and a circumferential mechanism (10, 1, 5, 2, 3, 8, 21) to transfer a rotational movement to an axial movement, wherein by using a ball bearing system (9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17) the mechanism is optimized in a manner to reduce mechanical friction, friction variation and to improve force-direction dependent positioning insensitivity.