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).

A system is disclosed that includes an optical fiber including a first optical module and a gate. The gate can be capable of moving between closed and opened states to form a slit. At least one storage medium can be included having encoded thereon executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to carry out a method including directing light from the first optical module through the slit onto the stone to form a pair of lines with a spacing between the pair of lines; and determining a size of the stone, based on a distance from a distal tip of the optical fiber and the spacing between the pair of lines.

A control device includes: a processor configured to obtain a first picture signal and a second picture signal, calculate first ranging information based on the first picture signal, calculate second ranging information based on the second picture signal, estimate a first subject distance corresponding to the first ranging information, estimate ranging information corresponding to a second focal position, perform arithmetic processing to determine degree of reliability of the first ranging information, and output a result of the arithmetic processing.

The disclosure extends to methods, devices, and systems for removing speckle from a coherent light source, such as laser light. The methods, devices, and systems help eliminate or reduce speckle introduced from a coherent light source, such as laser light, by utilizing the teachings and principles of the disclosure.

A system for polarimetric characterization of a target that includes a liquid light guide (LLG) for propagating light from a light source to the target (S) at least one of a Polarization State Analyzer (PSA) serving to analyze polarization of light having propagated into the LLG and that has been reflected by the target, and a Polarized State Generator (PSG) for modulating the polarization of light injected into the LLG, an optical detector for detecting light backscattered by the target (S) that has been illuminated by the LLG.

A control apparatus controls an operation of a self-propelled mechanism of an endoscope. The control apparatus includes a drive circuit that outputs a motor current, a motor current detection circuit that acquires a value relating to magnitude of the motor current as a detection value, a storage circuit that stores a limit value relating to the detection value, and a control circuit that performs an operation as a first controller that controls the drive circuit so as to stop the motor when it is determined that the detection value exceeds a value relating to the limit value, and performs an operation as a second controller that controls the drive circuit so as to stop the motor when it is determined that the detection value exceeds the value relating to the limit value.

[Object] An observation device according to an embodiment of the present technology includes an emission unit, an imaging unit, a polarization control unit, and a calculation unit. The emission unit sequentially emits a plurality of polarization light beams of mutually different polarization directions to a biological tissue. The imaging unit includes a plurality of pixels capable of outputting pixel signals respectively. The polarization control unit considers a predetermined number of pixels of the plurality of pixels as one group and causes mutually different polarization components of reflection light beams reflected by the biological tissue to be respectively incident upon respective ones of the predetermined number of pixels included in the one group. The calculation unit calculates biological tissue information regarding the biological tissue on the basis of the pixel signals output from the respective ones of the predetermined number of pixels.

An illuminated microsurgical instrument comprises a distally projecting tubular member arranged to perform a medical procedure at an interventional site, a sheath member surrounding a portion of the tubular member, and an optical fiber extending along a length of the outer surface of the tubular member between the tubular member and the sheath member. A method of manufacturing an illuminated microsurgical instrument comprises placing an optical fiber on a positioning member, placing a sheath member around the optical fiber and positioning member and securing the sheath member to the optical fiber, removing material from a distal end of the sheath member and optical fiber at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the positioning member, removing the positioning member from within the sheath member, and placing the sheath member with the optical fiber secured thereto around a distally projecting tubular member.

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 tip part (2) for forming a tip of a disposable insertion endoscope (1), the tip part comprising an exterior housing (9) having an open proximal end (9a) for connection to other parts of the endoscope, the housing further having a distal front wall (11) and a circumferential housing wall (12), the circumferential housing wall extending a total housing length H in a proximal direction from the distal front wall to the proximal end of the housing, the distal front wall and the circumferential housing wall enclosing an interior spacing (24) of the tip part; a camera assembly able to provide an image from light received from an object to be investigated; and a tube insertion sleeve (38) provided within the interior spacing and fixed in relation to the distal front wall, the tube insertion sleeve being formed by a circumferential tube sleeve wall (39) that extends a total tube sleeve length S from the distal front wall of the housing to a proximal end of the tube insertion sleeve so that the tube insertion sleeve comprises an open proximal end; wherein the distal front wall has a fluid opening (10, 16a, 16b, 17) which is aligned with a distal end of the tube insertion sleeve, a proximal surface of the distal front wall surrounding the fluid opening to provide a tube abutment surface (40); whereby a tube (13, 21, 22, 23) can be inserted through the proximal end of the tube insertion sleeve until a distal end of the tube abuts the tube abutment surface, whereby the distal end of the tube is positioned to allow fluid flow through the tube to and through the fluid opening. Furthermore a method of manufacture of the tip part is disclosed.