There is described an apparatus comprising a first optical element, a second optical element and a spacing element for use with a mobile user device. The first optical element is configured to provide an image of an object to an intermediate image plane and the second optical element magnifies the image to provide a final image in a final image plane in which a camera aperture of the device is supported. The spacing element maintains a fixed separation between the object and the first optical element. Image magnification is achieved while also providing a space for tool access. Mirrors may be used to divert the optical path, allowing the optical path to be folded for more compact apparatus. A third optical element disposed at the intermediate image plane may be used to reduce vignetting effects in the final image.

An optical unit includes a fixed barrel configured to accommodate a moving barrel configured to hold an optical element configured to form an object image and formed of a nonmagnetic body to be able to advance and retract between a first position and a second position in a direction along an optical axis, a first magnet provided at the fixed barrel and configured to attract the moving barrel in a first direction along the optical axis to hold the moving barrel at the first position, a coil configured to attract the moving barrel in a second direction opposite to the first direction along the optical axis to hold the moving barrel at the second position by a magnetic field generated by being energized, and a second magnet provided at the moving barrel and configured to be attracted by the first magnet and the magnetic field of the coil.

A distal end portion includes: an imager that is held by a metal lens frame; a distal end frame that is made of an electric insulating material and includes a through hole; an electrically conductive exterior portion; a first electrical conductor pattern that has a first end and a second end, the first end being in contact with the lens frame, the second end being connected to a first terminal that is in contact with the exterior portion; and a second electrical conductor pattern that is formed independently of the first electrical conductor pattern, and has a first end and a second end, the first end of the second electrical conductor pattern being in contact with the lens frame, the second end of the second electrical conductor pattern being connected to a second terminal that is not in contact with the exterior portion.

An endoscope includes: an image sensor in which a color filters having two or more colors is disposed at an imaging position and has a predetermined array pattern; and a correction processing unit configured to repeatedly perform processing of changing a target pixel value at a target imaging position to a median value between a neighboring pixel value and the target pixel value, while changing the target imaging position, when a pixel value at a neighboring imaging position near the target imaging position including at least two most neighboring imaging positions on a row closest to the target imaging position with the target imaging position interposed therebetween at an imaging position of a color filter, which is on a row along one direction identical to the target imaging position in image data output from the image sensor, and has a same color as a color filter at the target imaging position, is set as a neighboring pixel value.

The endoscope has an insertion portion, an imaging unit, and a member formed in a given dimension. The insertion portion has an apical portion, an actively curvable portion, and a treatment device channel. The actively curvable portion is located on the proximal side of the apical portion. The treatment device channel is positioned along the longitudinal axis of the insertion portion. The insertion portion is formed of resin. One or more radiopaque members, formed of knowns dimensions, are coated on a surface of the insertion portion or placed in, buried or covered laterally in the insertion portion. The X-ray transmittance of the radiopaque members is different from the X-ray transmittance of the resin forming the insertion portion.

A tip section of a multi-camera endoscope includes a front-pointing camera on a planar surface of a distal end of the tip section and two side-pointing cameras positioned on a cylindrical surface in proximity to the planar surface such that the side field of view provided by the two side-pointing cameras partially overlaps with the front field of view provided by the front-pointing camera. The tip section further includes a working channel configured for insertion of a surgical tool; and a pathway fluid injector for inflating and/or cleaning a body cavity into which the endoscope is inserted.

An optical instrument (1) for minimally invasive surgery includes an instrument housing (2) for receiving optical elements, wherein the instrument housing (2) is sealed in fluid tight fashion by way of at least one end window (7) on the distal side and/or proximal side. The end window (7) is arranged in a window frame (8) that surrounds the end window (7) around the entire circumference thereof. The end windows (7) is able to be attached with little stress in the associated window frame (8) based on at least two portions (12) that project radially to the inside from the window frame (8). The at least two portions (12) are formed on the inner circumferential surface of each window frame (8) facing the respective end window (7).

A borescope includes an electronic image capturing unit having at least one image capturing sensor with a receiving cone at a first end of a shaft, the shaft having a shaft axis and through which data and supply lines for the image capturing unit are led. The image capturing unit is arranged on a rotary head. The rotary head is secured to the first end so as to be rotatable about the shaft axis such that an axis of the receiving cone is not parallel to the shaft axis at the first end and so that the rotating head is arranged to capture a panoramic image.

An endoscope or the like that prevents crosstalk between multiple light-emitting parts is provided. An endoscope includes: an observation window that is disposed at a distal end of an insertion part; a plurality of first light-emitting parts that are disposed around the observation window; a second light-emitting part that is disposed between the first light-emitting parts and emits light at a bandwidth different from a bandwidth of light emitted by the first light-emitting parts; and a light-shielding body that is disposed between one of the first light-emitting parts and the second light-emitting part.

An optical unit includes a transparent first substrate, a transparent second substrate, a transparent first projection forming a part of an optical path, and a first aperture configured by black resin filled in a periphery of the first projection between the first substrate and the second substrate.