A measurement probe is configured to be detachably connected to a bio-optical measurement apparatus and includes: an illuminating fiber configured to irradiate body tissues with illumination light; light receiving fibers configured to receive return light of the illumination light reflected and/or scattered from the body tissues; an optical element configured to transmit the illumination light and the return light and to keep distances between the body tissues and distal ends of the illuminating fiber and the light receiving fibers, constant; and a contact detecting fiber configured to receive the return light to detect contact between a distal end face of the optical element and the body tissues, and detect the return light at a detection region on the distal end face through which the illumination light and the return light pass. The detection region is located outside an illumination region of the illuminating fiber.

A light transmission optical member for endoscope includes an incident surface provided at a distal end portion of an insertion section, light being made incident on the incident surface as incident light from a proximal end side of the insertion section, and an emission surface for emitting the light as illumination light. The emission surface includes a diffusing section that diffuses the emitted light. The diffusing section includes a plurality of convex-shaped sections extending in a predetermined direction on the emission surface. Each of the convex-shaped sections includes a first slope section having a first angle with respect to the emission surface, and totally reflecting the incident light, and a second slope section having a second angle smaller than the first angle with respect to the emission surface, and transmitting and emitting reflected light totally reflected on the first slope section and the incident light.

A light transmission optical member for endoscope includes an incident surface provided at a distal end portion of an insertion section, light being made incident on the incident surface as incident light from a proximal end side of the insertion section, and an emission surface for emitting the light as illumination light. The emission surface includes a diffusing section that diffuses the emitted light. The diffusing section includes a plurality of convex-shaped sections extending in a predetermined direction on the emission surface. Each of the convex-shaped sections includes a first slope section having a first angle with respect to the emission surface, and totally reflecting the incident light, and a second slope section having a second angle smaller than the first angle with respect to the emission surface, and transmitting and emitting reflected light totally reflected on the first slope section and the incident light.

An optics arrangement for an endoscope is provided. The optics arrangement images an object situated in front of its distal end to the proximal end of the optics arrangement along a principal beam path having an optical axis. The optics arrangement is designed both for light from the visible spectrum and for light from the near infrared. The optics arrangement includes an aperture stop with a reflection layer in the principal beam path. The reflection layer reflects light from the visible spectrum and transmits light from the near infrared. The reflection layer is inclined in relation to the optical axis.

An optics arrangement for an endoscope is provided. The optics arrangement images an object situated in front of its distal end to the proximal end of the optics arrangement along a principal beam path having an optical axis. The optics arrangement is designed both for light from the visible spectrum and for light from the near infrared. The optics arrangement includes an aperture stop with a reflection layer in the principal beam path. The reflection layer reflects light from the visible spectrum and transmits light from the near infrared. The reflection layer is inclined in relation to the optical axis.

An optics tube for an endoscope including a magnet arrangement which extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the optics tube. A rod lens including a rod-shaped lens unit made of a rod-shaped lens element or a plurality of lens elements cemented to one another, wherein, on one side on the circumferential face thereof, the lens unit includes a magnet arrangement. The invention also relates to a combination of an optics tube and a rod lens, and to an endoscope.

An optics tube for an endoscope including a magnet arrangement which extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the optics tube. A rod lens including a rod-shaped lens unit made of a rod-shaped lens element or a plurality of lens elements cemented to one another, wherein, on one side on the circumferential face thereof, the lens unit includes a magnet arrangement. The invention also relates to a combination of an optics tube and a rod lens, and to an endoscope.

An endoscope having a multiple diameter working section is disclosed. The endoscope includes a housing, a working section, and a rod-lens optical system. The housing is at a proximal end of the endoscope. The working section is integral with and extends from the housing. The working section includes at least a first section and a second section. The first section is contiguous to the housing, and the second section is at a distal end of the endoscope. The rod-lens optical system is positioned at least partially in the first section of the working section and at least partially in the second section of the working section. The endoscope is defined such that the outer diameter of the first section is larger than the outer diameter of the second section.

An endoscope having a multiple diameter working section is disclosed. The endoscope includes a housing, a working section, and a rod-lens optical system. The housing is at a proximal end of the endoscope. The working section is integral with and extends from the housing. The working section includes at least a first section and a second section. The first section is contiguous to the housing, and the second section is at a distal end of the endoscope. The rod-lens optical system is positioned at least partially in the first section of the working section and at least partially in the second section of the working section. The endoscope is defined such that the outer diameter of the first section is larger than the outer diameter of the second section.

Various embodiments comprise endoscopes (e.g., arthroscopes) for viewing inside a cavity of a body. The endoscopes may include a tip, at least one solid-state emitter such as light emitting diode (LED), located at the distal end of the endoscope, an elongated member. The elongated member may include a plurality of lenses for transmitting light received from the tip member and an elongated conducting member for providing electric power to the solid-state emitter. The elongated conducting member may include conducting lines embedded in a flexible elongated insulating membrane. The tip member and the elongated member may be configured to dissipate heat generated by the solid-state emitter.