A video processor receives first and second images respectively acquired by an endoscope at first and second timings before and after a predetermined function is applied to a subject, generates first and second correction images respectively using first and second images, generates first and second post-correction images respectively obtained by causing the first and second correction images to act on the first and second images, extracts color components in the second post-correction image to find first and second distribution characteristic values, and calculates a degree of change of the second distribution characteristic value from the first distribution characteristic value.

An optical unit includes: a fixing part including a front frame portion, a rear frame portion, and a fixing part main body; a movable part arranged slidably relative to the fixing part main body; and a voice coil motor including a magnetic portion, and a coil arranged at the fixing part main body and positioned on a radially outer side of the fixing part main body with respect to the magnetic portion, the voice coil motor being capable of moving the movable part relative to the fixing part main body along a direction of the optical axis. A maximum dimension of the fixing part main body in a first direction parallel to a magnetization direction of the magnetic portion is greater than a maximum dimension of the fixing part main body in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and the direction of the optical axis.

Provided is an endoscope that can easily perform the attachment and detachment work of a proximal end side of a wire without impairing the operability of an operating part.

The an endoscope includes an operating part (22) including an erection operating lever (20), an insertion part (24), an elevator (30), a wire (60) that is disposed to be inserted into a wire channel (62) to be movable forward and backward therethrough and is attachably and detachably coupled to the elevator (30) on a distal end side thereof, an opening part (94) that is provided at a proximal end of the wire channel (62) and delivers the proximal end side of the wire (60) to the outside of the operating part (22), a rotating member (96) that is disposed to be exposed to the outside of the operating part (22) and is configured to be rotatable around a rotational axis (96A) having a component in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the operating part (22) depending on the operation of the erection operating lever (20), an engaged part (144) that is provided in the rotating member (96), and an engaging part (98) that is provided on the proximal end side of the wire (60) and is engageably and disengageably engageable with the engaged part (144).

A baby endoscope which forms a medical device includes: a rotary member; an exterior member which rotatably holds the rotary member about a predetermined rotation axis, houses the rotary member in the exterior member, and has a surface which is brought into contact with a portion of an outer peripheral surface of an operation section of a mother endoscope on an outer peripheral portion; and a bending operation lever mounted on the rotary member, and is disposed within a width of the exterior member in a direction of the rotation axis when the exterior member is viewed in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis.

An endoscope reprocessing method includes: cleaning, disinfecting, or sterilizing an inside of a pipe line and an outer surface of an endoscope accommodated in a treatment tank; rinsing the outer surface of the endoscope with a rinsing liquid while filling the inside of the pipe line of the endoscope with gas; collecting a first sample from the rinsing liquid used for rinsing the outer surface of the endoscope; rinsing the inside of the pipe line of the endoscope with the rinsing liquid; and collecting a second sample from the rinsing liquid used for rinsing the inside of the pipe line of the endoscope.

The shape sensor system of the present invention includes a braided structure in which small diameter bending members including two or more optical fibers, provided with detection target portions, are spirally wound around a core member as an axis in directions opposite to each other, or a braided structure in which three or more small diameter bending members including an optical fiber and a dummy optical fiber or a thin metal wire are braided, a plurality of detection target portions are distributed in the direction around the axis of the core member, the bending directions of the respective bending members are synthesized to detect a bending shape of the probe portion, a function of adjusting the fiber length in a braiding cycle is performed, and position deviation does not occur.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to apparatuses, devices, and methods for locks for endoscopic accessories. In one implementation, an adjustable lock for an endoscopic accessory includes a body slidably mounted upon a rail of the endoscopic accessory, and an arm extending about a portion of the body. The arm may be connected to the body and pivotable relative to the body between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, teeth on an inner surface of the arm may engage a toothed rack on the rail such that the adjustable lock is secured to the rail. In the open position, the teeth on the inner surface of the arm may be clear of the toothed rack such that the lock may slide relative to the rail.

An endoscope in which an erecting operation mechanism is provided at an operation section and that can prevent an increase in size of a holding part of the operation section is provided. An endoscope according to the present invention includes an operation section 22 having an operation section main body 32, a holding part 34 connected to the operation section main body 32, and an extension part 36 extending from the holding part 34 toward a distal end side; an insertion section 24 provided on a distal end side of the extension part 36; an erecting base 30 provided at a distal end part 26 of the insertion section 24; a movable member 96 that is provided at the extension part 36 and that moves in association with an operation of an erecting operation lever 20; a wire 60 that is coupled to the erecting base 30 at a distal end side thereof, that is coupled to the movable member 96 at a proximal end side thereof, and that is pushed/pulled by the movable member 96; and an attachment member 98 that is provided at a proximal end of the wire 60 and that is engaged with the movable member 96 in an attachable/detachable manner by a one-touch operation.

A connector unit includes a connector cap and a camera-side cable connector. The connector cap includes a connection portion that movably connects the connector cap to the camera-side cable connector. The camera-side cable connector includes a first groove in which a protruding section of the connection portion is movably disposed.

A method and apparatus for improving a heat dissipation capacity. An apparatus comprises an elongate member, a housing, and a heat pump device. The elongate member has a distal end and a proximal end. The housing is coupled to the proximal end of the elongate member. The heat pump device is coupled between the elongate member and the housing. The heat pump device is configured to transfer thermal energy between the elongate member and the housing.