Olympus Patents

Olympus Corporation manufactures camera and audio equipment, including digital cameras, lenses, binoculars and digital audio recorders. Olympus also offers solutions for the medical and life sciences industries with their endoscopes, microscopes, fiberscopes, rigidscopes and flaw detectors.

Olympus Patents by Type
  • Olympus Patents Granted: Olympus patents that have been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
  • Olympus Patent Applications: Olympus patent applications that are pending before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
  • Publication number: 20210127946
    Abstract: A light source device includes: a first light emitter configured to emit first light; a second light emitter configured to emit second light having an identical color component to the first light; and an illumination controller configured to cause, after causing the first light emitter to emit the first light, the second light emitter to emit the second light according to a set light amount in a state in which the first light emitter is caused to emit the first light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toru KUBOI, Hiroaki KITAMURA
  • Publication number: 20210127950
    Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion portion, a distal end rigid member, and a channel tube. The distal end rigid member is provided on a distal end side with respect to the bending portion of the insertion portion, and includes an illumination window, an observation window, and a treatment instrument opening. As the distal end rigid member moves relative to the bending portion in a distal end direction of a longitudinal axial direction, the distal end rigid member can change from a first state in which a distance between a proximal end surface of the distal end rigid member and a distal end surface of the bending portion is fixed to a first distance to a second state in which the distance is equal to a second distance longer than the first distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuaki AKUI, Hidetoshi SAITO
  • Publication number: 20210136300
    Abstract: In a solid-state imaging device, first electric charge is generated by at least two first photoelectric conversion elements in a first exposure period. At least two pieces of the first electric charge are added in a floating diffusion. A first memory stores a first pixel signal that is based on the first electric charge. Second electric charge is generated by at least one second photoelectric conversion element in a second exposure period. At least part of the second exposure period overlaps at least part of the first exposure period. The second electric charge is held in the floating diffusion. A second memory stores a second pixel signal that is based on the second electric charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuichi Gomi
  • Publication number: 20210136257
    Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes an imaging device that acquires a plurality of images with different focus positions at different timings and a processor including hardware. The processor aligns the plurality of images with different focus positions, combines the plurality of images with different focus positions that have been aligned into a single depth of field increased image to increase a depth of field, obtains a risk index indicating a risk of occurrence of artifact in the depth of field increased image, and corrects the depth of field increased image on a basis of the risk index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naoya KURIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20210127951
    Abstract: An endoscope includes: a first bending wire that is connected with a first connection part of a bending portion of an insertion portion inserted into a subject and bends the entire bending portion in a first bending direction by pulling; a second bending wire that is connected with a second connection part of the bending portion positioned on a proximal end side of the first connection part and bends a proximal end side part of the bending portion on the proximal end side of the second connection part in the first bending direction by pulling; an operation lever that pulls the first bending wire to the proximal end side; an operation lever that pulls the second bending wire to the proximal end side; and a coil pipe into which the first and second bending wires are inserted at a position on the proximal end side of the bending portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuaki AKUI
  • Publication number: 20210127953
    Abstract: A distal end portion of an endoscope includes: a flexible printed circuit board on which a light-receiving unit mounting section, a first extending section, a light-emitting unit mounting section, and a second extending section are formed continuously; a stand on which the light-receiving unit mounting section is disposed in contact with the stand; a protruding portion including an inner wall surface, a protruding end surface, and an outer wall surface, in which the first extending section is disposed in contact with the inner wall surface, the light-emitting unit mounting section is disposed in contact with the protruding end surface, and the second extending section is disposed in contact with the outer wall surface; and a distal end cover that covers the stand and the protruding portion, with the second extending section being sandwiched between the distal end cover and the protruding portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Katsumi OYAMA
  • Publication number: 20210127956
    Abstract: An objective optical system includes, in order from an object side: a positive first group; a negative second group; a negative third group; and a positive fourth group, in which the second group and the third group move together toward an image side to perform focusing from an object point at a long distance to an object point at a close distance, and the following conditional expression (2) is satisfied: 0.2<(t34f?t34n)/F<2 (2), where t34f is a distance between the third group and the fourth group at a time of focusing to the object point at the long distance, t34n is a distance between the third group and the fourth group at a time of focusing to the object point at the close distance, and F is a focal length of the overall objective optical system at a time of focusing to the object point at the long distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideyasu TAKATO
  • Publication number: 20210135798
    Abstract: A communication system including a transmission device and a reception device is provided. A processor of the transmission device is configured to store image data on a transmission buffer after deleting all the stored image data in a case in which a first condition and a second condition are met. The processor is configured to store the image data without deleting the stored image data in a case in which at least one of the first condition and the second condition is not met. The first condition indicates that a second transmission-completion frame this time is after a previous first transmission-completion frame. The second condition indicates that a third transmission-completion frame is not the next frame of the transmission-completion second frame. The third transmission-completion frame is a frame of the image data to be stored after confirming the transmission-completion frame this time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takahisa Endo
  • Publication number: 20210127965
    Abstract: An endoscope cleaning instrument detachably attachable to an insertion section of an endoscope from a distal end portion side of the insertion section includes a covering member having a tubular shape and being capable of covering, on an outer circumferential surface of a bending section connected consecutively to a proximal end of a distal end portion in the insertion section, a distal end side adhesive section disposed on a distal end side of the bending section and formed from an adhesive and a proximal end side adhesive section disposed on a proximal end side of the bending section and formed from the adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koji YAMAYA
  • Publication number: 20210127954
    Abstract: An endoscope connector includes: a plug including an electric contact configured to be electrically connected to an external medical apparatus, the plug being provided with a first substrate; a first frame electrically connected to the plug; a second frame electrically connected to the first frame, the second frame being made of metal; a first electric connection member electrically connected to the first substrate; a second electric connection member connected to the first electric connection member; a substrate unit including a second substrate and an electromagnetic shield member covering the second substrate, the electromagnetic shield member being made of metal; and an urging member configured to urge the substrate unit in a direction of the second frame, and to put the electromagnetic shield member into an electric conduction state by causing the electromagnetic shield member to abut on the second frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroya SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20210127960
    Abstract: A light source apparatus for an endoscope includes an optical fiber that guides emission light emitted from a light source and is incident on a fiber end face, a ferrule having a ferrule end face having a through-hole in which the optical fiber is inserted, a holder to which the ferrule is fixed, the holder having a reflecting surface that reflects first reflected light to thereby emit second reflected light, the first reflected light being the emission light reflected on the fiber end face, and an optical sensor that receives the second reflected light disposed between the light source and the fiber end face and in a region facing the reflecting surface through an optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshinori TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20210127958
    Abstract: An endoscope front-end structure includes: an imaging module; a frame body that has a through hole and a salient portion, the frame body being configured to hold the imaging module when the imaging module is inserted in the through hole from an insertion opening formed at a proximal end of the frame body; a first adhesive agent that is filled and hardened between a part of outer periphery of a resin seal and a surface of the salient portion; and a second adhesive agent that is filled and hardened in a gap formed between the through hole of the frame body and the imaging module inserted in the through hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toru WAKABAYASHI, Nau SATAKE
  • Publication number: 20210127962
    Abstract: An endoscope reprocessor includes: a housing unit that houses a medicinal solution bottle such that a sealing portion is located on a top surface; a first guide that guides the housing unit such that the housing unit is capable of advancing and retreating between a first point and a second point; a movable unit that moves in cooperation with advancing of the housing unit; an unsealing member provided in the movable unit and arranged at a position higher than the sealing portion of the medicinal solution bottle housed in the housing unit at the first point, the unsealing member having a shape protruding toward the top surface at a predetermined length to pierce the sealing portion when the medicinal solution bottle reaches the second point by descending as the movable unit advances; and a second guide that guides an advancing direction of the movable unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomokazu IWASAKI
  • Publication number: 20210128225
    Abstract: A controller is used together with an energy treatment instrument including a first grasping piece, a second grasping piece, a reference electrode provided in the first grasping piece, a first counter electrode provided in the second grasping piece, and a second counter electrode provided in the second grasping piece. The controller includes a processor that acquires a first parameter relating to a thickness of a first portion of the treatment target, which is grasped between the reference electrode and the first counter electrode, and a second parameter relating to a thickness of a second portion of the treatment target, which is grasped between the reference electrode and the second counter electrode. The processor controls an amount of electric energy applied to one of the first portion or the second portion of the treatment target to be larger than another one of the first portion or the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shun IZUMI
  • Publication number: 20210132352
    Abstract: An optical deflector includes: a movable unit including a mirror having an optical reflection surface and a first rib formed on a back surface of the optical reflection surface, and a mirror holder configured to hold the mirror unit and having a second rib arranged in a direction intersecting the first rib and joined to the first rib at an intersection with the first rib; a pair of elastic members provided on both sides of the movable unit and configured to support the movable unit so as to be swingable about a swing axis; and a pair of supports connected to the elastic members and configured to support the elastic members, wherein the first rib includes a pair of first protrusions, and the second rib includes a pair of second protrusions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naoki SHIRAISHI
  • Publication number: 20210128889
    Abstract: A guide wire holder includes a sheath having a lumen, an operation wire which is inserted through the lumen to be able to advance and retract, and a hook which is continuous with a distal end of the operation wire and protrudes from a distal end of the sheath, wherein the sheath has an inner wall surface which forms a groove configured to extend from the distal end of the sheath to a proximal end side of the sheath, the groove has an opening portion which opens to an outer peripheral surface of the sheath, the hook has a guide wire engagement surface which is engageable with a guide wire, and the guide wire is able to be held between the guide wire engagement surface and the inner wall surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro SUZUKI, Tomofumi KATAYAMA, Yutaka YANUMA
  • Publication number: 20210128226
    Abstract: A treatment instrument includes first and second treatment bodies. The second treatment body includes a contact portion and a first surface. The first surface is adjacent to the contact portion in a width direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis. The first surface includes a proximity edge which is in proximity to the contact portion; and an outer edge spaced from the contact portion from the longitudinal axis toward a side surface of a treatment portion in the width direction. Assuming that a virtual plane is defined to be perpendicular to the opening and closing directions in the closed state and passing through the proximity edge of the first surface, a distance between the outer edge and the virtual plane is larger than a distance between the proximity edge and the virtual plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tsunetaka AKAGANE
  • Publication number: 20210132362
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes: an image pickup device including a plurality of pixels generating an image pickup signal corresponding to a light reception amount; a universal cable for transmitting electric power to the image pickup device; an AC-voltage-pulse-signal generation circuit provided on a proximal end side of the universal cable and generating an AC voltage pulse signal obtained by converting a positive voltage level and a negative voltage level of an inputted pulse signal into a predetermined positive voltage level and a predetermined negative voltage level, respectively, and outputting the AC voltage pulse signal to the universal cable; and a voltage adjustment circuit provided on a distal end side of the universal cable and converting the predetermined positive voltage level and the predetermined negative voltage level of the AC voltage pulse signal transmitted from the universal cable into a DC voltage level and output a DC voltage pulse signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Susumu YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20210134870
    Abstract: A lens array includes a plurality of lens parts arranged on a curved surface in a two-dimensional array. Each of the plurality of lens parts includes: a base part provided with a tapered side surface having an outer diameter that becomes smaller in a height direction away from the curved surface; and an apex part located on the base part and having a lens surface. There is an angular difference ?? between height directions of two adjacent lens parts of the plurality of lens parts. The angular difference ?? is smaller than an amount double a taper angle ? of the side surface of each of the two adjacent lens parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuhiro MIYAZAKI
  • Patent number: 10996455
    Abstract: An objective optical system consists of, in order from an object side, a first lens group having a negative refractive power, which is stationary all the time, a second lens group having a positive refractive power, a third lens group having a negative refractive power, and a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power, which is stationary all the time. At a time of focusing from an object point at a long distance to an object point at a short distance, the second lens group moves toward the object side and the third lens group moves toward an image side. The following conditional expressions (1), (5), and (7) are satisfied: 2<fG2/f<8??(1) 0.2<(t34f?t34n)/f<0.5??(5) ?8<fG1/f<?2??(7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideyasu Takato
  • Patent number: 10999492
    Abstract: A focus adjustment device, comprising a processor that, during rapid shooting of still pictures, displays an image or performs processing for storage as still picture data based on a pixel signal output as a result of the first imaging operation from the image sensor, generates focus adjustment data by performing focus detection based on a pixel signal output as a result of the second imaging operation, and executes focus control, wherein the processor computes focus movement amount based on the focus adjustment data, and if the focus movement amount is larger than a predetermined value, and focus control based on the focus movement amount and the first imaging operation are executed in parallel, prohibits processing for storage as a still picture on image data based on a pixel signal of the first imaging operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuo Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 10994314
    Abstract: A reconditioning apparatus including: a chamber for a medical instrument having a channel(s); fluid connections in the chamber connected to the channel(s) to flush them with a reconditioning fluid; a memory for storing data sets, each data set comprising information relating to an allocation of the fluid connections to a specific type of medical instrument; and an input device for detecting an identifying feature; wherein the input device detects the identifying feature of the medical instrument, in which information relating to the type of the medical instrument is stored; a controller compares the type of the medical instrument identified based on the read-out information with data sets in the memory and establishes an allocation of a fluid connection(s) connected to the channel(s) on the basis of the identified type and actuates a compressed air source to apply compressed air to the allocated fluid connections to blow out the channel(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBH
    Inventor: Antonia Weis
  • Patent number: 10996454
    Abstract: A microscope includes a movable stage supporting wells arranged in an array, a first imaging unit having a low-magnification objective lens, a second imaging unit having a high-magnification objective lens, a computer determining a representative position of a spheroid based on imaging data of the spheroid acquired by the first imaging unit, and a controller causing respective imaging units to sequentially acquire imaging data of the spheroid in each of the wells. The controller causes the first imaging unit to acquire imaging data for the spheroid in one of the wells, and then causes the stage to adjust the representative position to the optical axis of the high-magnification objective lens, and further causes the second imaging unit to acquire imaging data while causing the first imaging unit to acquire imaging data of the spheroid in another of the wells in synchronization with acquisition by the second imaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Shimada
  • Patent number: 10993608
    Abstract: An endoscope system includes: a processor configured to perform image processing on endoscopic image data, the processor being connectable with multiple peripherals, the processor being configured to receive an input of a first audio command; a terminal device configured to wirelessly communicate with the processor and receive an input of a second audio command; a setting circuit configured to, in a case where the processor and the terminal device can communicate with each other, make a setting such that the first audio command that is receivable by the processor and the second audio command that is receivable by the terminal device differ from each other at least partly; and a first communication controller configured to, when the first audio command or the second audio command serves as an instruction to record the endoscopic image data, transmit the endoscopic image data to the terminal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junichi Tashiro, Hideyuki Kugimiya
  • Publication number: 20210121047
    Abstract: An image compression device of an endoscope apparatus includes a compression processing control unit, a storage unit, a first compression parameter generating unit, a second compression parameter generating unit and a compression parameter determining unit. The first compression parameter generating unit generates a first tentative compression parameter based on a transferable data amount. The second compression parameter generating unit generates a second tentative compression parameter based on a storage capacity of the storage unit. The compression parameter determining unit compares the first tentative compression parameter and the second tentative compression parameter to select a parameter with which a data amount after compression becomes smaller as a selected parameter. The compression processing control unit updates a compression parameter with the selected parameter and performs compression processing using the updated compression parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinsuke TANI
  • Publication number: 20210121050
    Abstract: An optical system for a stereo-video endoscope, the optical system including: first and second lens system channels having first and second optical elements on first and second optical axes, respectively, the first and second optical axes being parallel to each other; wherein the first and second optical elements are each arranged symmetrically relative to each other about a plane of symmetry between the first and second lens system channels and the first and second optical elements comprise first and second D-cut lenses, respectively, each of the first and second D-cut lenses having a boundary surface which is set back relative to the plane of symmetry; and the boundary surface of each of the first and second D-cut lenses are inclined with respect of the plane of symmetry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBH
    Inventor: Jianxin ZHAO
  • Publication number: 20210127053
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus has a first/second optical system transmitting light through a first/second optical path, the second optical system having parallax with the first optical path; a switcher switching between the first and second optical paths in time series; an image sensor forming a first image and a second image by capturing subject images according to the light transmitted through the first optical path and the second optical path respectively; and a processor processing a signal output from the image sensor, wherein the processor calculates a motion vector in each divided region of a first base image from the first base image and a first reference image captured, interpolates an interpolation motion vector for each pixel of the first base image from the motion vector, and corrects the first base image or the first reference image to form a prediction image of the first image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masao SAMBONGI, Munenori FUKUNISHI
  • Publication number: 20210121055
    Abstract: An endoscope system has an overtube having a proximal end and a distal end, and a main lumen and a sub lumen; an endoscope having a channel and inserted into the main lumen; a flexible shaft being advanceable and retractable in the sub lumen; a curved needle having a proximal end and a distal end; and a needle holder configured at a distal end of the shaft to hold the curved needle, wherein the held curved needle is movable to a first position protruding from a distal end opening of the sub lumen, and due to a rotation around the longitudinal axis, part of the curved needle held by the needle holder is movable from the first position in front of the distal end opening of the sub lumen to a second position in front of the channel of the endoscope inserted into the main lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kosuke MOTAI
  • Publication number: 20210121221
    Abstract: A treatment tool includes: a treatment member configured to transmit heat to living tissue; an insulating substrate having a first surface that is joined to the treatment member and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface; a heat generation area that is arranged on the first surface, the heat generation area being configured to generate heat by supply of power; an interconnection area that is arranged on the second surface, the interconnection area being configured to supply the power to the heat generation area; and a first conductor configured to make conduction between the heat generation area and the interconnection area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masato NARISAWA
  • Publication number: 20210121250
    Abstract: Provided is an endoscope system including: an elongated section having a longitudinal axis; a bending section connected to a distal end of the elongated section, a tilt angle of the bending section relative to the longitudinal axis being changed; an image-capturing unit provided at a distal end of the bending section; a first motor that drives the bending section; a second motor that rotates the elongated section about the longitudinal axis; and a controller that processes an image captured by the image-capturing unit, wherein the controller acquires, from the image-capturing unit, a plurality of images that are captured while the elongated section is being rotated by the second motor, and calculates a driving direction of the bending section for making a center position of the image coincide with a position of a fixed point of the acquired plurality of images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kensuke UESUGI
  • Publication number: 20210121044
    Abstract: An endoscope system includes a medical device that is capable of communicating with a peripheral medical device, a control terminal apparatus that generates a control command for controlling the medical device, an adapter that communicably connects the control terminal apparatus and the medical device and is capable of being communicably connected to a plurality of network apparatuses over a network, and a second monitoring apparatus that monitors a state of connection between the medical device and the peripheral medical device and a state of connection between the adapter and the network apparatuses established over the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahide YAMAKI
  • Patent number: 10987180
    Abstract: The technology disclosed herein is directed to a flexible manipulator used to prevent a loss of control of a movable part by reducing the friction applied to the power transmission member and to be able to suppress the occurrence of a path length difference of a plurality of power transmission members with regard to various curvature length of an insertion part. The flexible manipulator includes an elongated member formed in the shape of a long flexible tube and having two or more paths that pass through in a longitudinal direction on the outside in the radial direction with regard to a center axis. Respective movable and driving parts is disposed on respective tip and base ends of the elongated member. Power transmission members are arranged to pass through the path of the elongated member and that transfer the power of the driving part to the movable part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuaki Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 10987122
    Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes a treatment portion that has a through-hole or concave portions. The through-hole extends from a first outer surface to a second outer surface facing in an opposite direction to that of the first outer surface. The concave portions include a first concave portion on the first outer surface, and a second concave portion on the second outer surface. The treatment portion includes a blade formed along an edge of an opening of the through-hole or the first concave portion. An outer relay surface extends from the blade to the second outer surface and faces away from a center axis of the through-hole or the concave portions. A distance from the center axis to the blade is greater than or equal to a distance from the center axis to the outer relay surface at a position between the blade and the second outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ken Fujisaki, Takamitsu Sakamoto, Hiroyuki Araki, Hideto Yoshimine
  • Patent number: 10987087
    Abstract: An ultrasound endoscope is provided with an insertion portion to be inserted into a subject along a first direction which is an insertion direction. The ultrasound endoscope includes: a transducer having a scanning surface that scans with an ultrasound wave along a second direction; a supply pipeline configured to supply an ultrasound wave transfer medium; and a rigid member connected to a proximal end side of the transducer, the rigid member formed with a scanning surface supply port configured to supply the ultrasound wave transfer medium supplied from the supply pipeline in a direction intersecting with the first direction and the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuya Saiga
  • Patent number: 10987182
    Abstract: A medical manipulator system includes: a treatment tool including an arm with joints and an end effector provided at a distal end of the arm; an insertion aid device; an advancement/retraction driving unit configured to drive the treatment tool to be advanced/retracted in the insertion aid device; an advancement/retraction operation unit configured to drive the advancement/retraction driving unit; a stopper configured to limit an operation of the advancement/retraction driving unit by actuation; an interference detector configured to be capable of detecting interference between an arm unit projected out of the insertion aid device and the insertion aid device; and an operation instruction unit configured to be capable of actuating the stopper. The operation instruction unit limits retraction movement of the treatment tool with respect to the insertion aid device by actuating the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takahiro Komuro
  • Patent number: 10986985
    Abstract: A capsule endoscope system includes a capsule endoscope and a wireless communication device. The capsule endoscope includes a first movement sensor, a determiner, an imager, and a first wireless receiver. The wireless communication device includes a second analyzer and a first wireless transmitter. The first analyzer analyzes first data and generates a first analysis result. The second analyzer analyzes second data and generates a second analysis result. The determiner determines an imaging timing at a period that is equal to or shorter than a reception period on the basis of any one of the first analysis result and the second analysis result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hirokazu Godo
  • Patent number: 10992869
    Abstract: An image apparatus includes: an image sensor configured to successively generate image data by continuously imaging an object scene; a memory configured to successively store the image data generated by the image sensor; a touch panel configured to output a first signal for commanding shooting preparation by a touch operation of a user and a second signal for commanding shooting by a release operation of releasing the touch operation; and a processor configured to successively store the image data successively generated by the image sensor in the memory according to a first storage format when the first signal is input from the touch panel and store the image data successively generated by the image sensor in the memory according to a second storage format when the second signal is input from the touch panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Takahashi, Yuiko Uemura, Takeshi Suzuki, Keiji Kunishige
  • Patent number: 10989906
    Abstract: A microscope imaging optical system has an entrance pupil on an object side and includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group including a biconvex lens and a negative lens having a concave surface on the object side, a second lens group including a negative lens having a concave surface on the object side, and a third lens group including a meniscus lens and a positive lens having a convex surface on an image side. The microscope imaging optical system satisfies conditional expressions 0.05<dp1/f<0.15 and 0.5<TT/f<0.9, where dp1 is the spacing between a lens, closest to the object, of the first lens group and the entrance pupil, f is the focal length of the microscope imaging optical system, and TT is the distance from the entrance pupil to the object image plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kanto Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 10989596
    Abstract: A subject identification device includes: an illuminator configured to generate illumination light including components at a plurality of wavelength bands, each of the components having a characteristic in accordance with a respective one of settings; an imager configured to generate an image signal by capturing light from a subject under the illumination light having the illumination characteristic; and a processor including hardware. The processor is configured to: define an illumination characteristic of the illumination light; analyze the image signal to acquire spectral information of the subject; and cross check the spectral information of the subject with subject identification information in order to identify the subject. When the subject is not identified, the processor is configured to define another illumination characteristic that causes spectral information of potentials for the subject to be identified, and subsequently each of the imager and the processor performs a process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuji Horie, Masanori Mitsui, Joji Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20210113058
    Abstract: An endoscope system includes a light source apparatus, an illumination-light setting section capable of setting, as illumination light for illuminating an object including a biological tissue, first illumination light obtained by combining light in one or more wavelength bands selected from the light in plural wavelength bands and second illumination light obtained by combining light in one or more wavelength bands different from the first illumination light, selected out of the light in the plural wavelength bands, a light-source control section, and an image analyzing section configured to acquire an analysis result related to presence or absence of an abnormal finding. The illumination-light setting section sets, based on the analysis result of the image analyzing section for the first image acquired by the first illumination light, a combination of light in wavelength bands included in the second illumination light to be irradiated next.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenji YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20210113059
    Abstract: An endoscope apparatus, includes: a memory configured to hold setting information about operations respectively of a first endoscope and a second endoscope; and a processor. The processor is configured to: when detecting switching of the endoscope to be used between the first endoscope and the second endoscope, read the setting information for the endoscope after the switching, and use the setting information for setting for operation of the endoscope after the switching; and when the setting for operation of the endoscope in use is changed, update the setting information for the endoscope in use, and based on the updated setting information for the endoscope in use, update the setting information for the endoscope not in use, and record, in the memory, the updated setting information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Makoto KASUMI
  • Publication number: 20210120173
    Abstract: An image processing device includes: an image sensor; a data buffer; an imaging interface part configured to read image data from the image sensor, generate an imaging signal, and write the generated imaging signal to the data buffer; an imaging processor configured to read out the imaging signal written in the data buffer and perform image processing; a synchronization signal generator configured to generate a synchronization signal synchronized with the image sensor; and a clock frequency controller configured to control a clock frequency of a clock input to the imaging processor on the basis of the synchronization signal, wherein the clock frequency controller is configured to change the clock frequency after a start of a valid period of the synchronization signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Tanaka, Atsushi Ishihara, Yutaka Murata, Akira Ueno
  • Publication number: 20210113064
    Abstract: A bending operation mechanism of an endoscope including: a first pulley configured to pull a first wire by being rotated in a first rotation direction; a second pulley, which is coaxial with the first pulley, configured to pull a second wire by being rotated in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction; and a rotation shaft member including a first protrusion that engages only with the first engagement portion of the first pulley when the rotation shaft member is rotated in the first rotation direction from a neutral position when a bending portion is not bent and a second protrusion that engages only with the second engagement portion of the second pulley when the rotation shaft member is rotated in the second rotation direction from the neutral position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuto YOSHINAGA, Tsukasa OTA, Xiongwei WANG
  • Publication number: 20210119357
    Abstract: A cable connection structure includes: cables, each including a jacket and a core wire exposed at an end portion by removing the jacket; a first fixing member configured to fix distal end portions of exposed core wires while holding the cables at predetermined intervals; a second fixing member configured to fix proximal end portions of the exposed core wires while holding the cables at predetermined intervals; and a substrate including a core wire connection electrode configured to electrically connect the core wire at a position between the first fixing member and the second fixing member, wherein the first fixing member and the second fixing member are different members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takanori SEKIDO
  • Publication number: 20210116339
    Abstract: A cell inspection method includes a concentrate production step, a staining step, a cell precipitation step, and an observation step. In the concentrate production step, the cell concentrate is produced by causing an inner cylinder which has a filter provided on a bottom surface to enter from the bottom surface side into the through hole of the outer cylinder and bringing the inner cylinder closer to the slide, the inner cylinder having an internal space, and in the observation step, observation is performed in a state where the inner cylinder is entered into the outer cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazutaka NISHIKAWA, Jun FUNAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20210118565
    Abstract: A medical device including: a control unit which is configured to control functions of the medical device, wherein the control unit includes: a processor and a network interface for exchanging data with other devices via a network, wherein the network interface is configured to exchange data using a first communication protocol and to translate data received via the network into a second communication protocol, and to forward the translated data to the processor. The processor is configured to compare data received from the network interface with permissible and/or expected data, and to reject or ignore data received from the network interface if these do not match permissible and/or expected data. Furthermore, a method for receiving data in a medical device is presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBH
    Inventor: Karsten LORENZ
  • Publication number: 20210116696
    Abstract: An optical module for endoscope includes an optical element, an optical fiber, a ferrule including a first principal surface, a second principal surface, and a side surface, an opening of an insertion hole being present on the first principal surface, the insertion hole having a bottom surface made of a transparent material, the optical fiber being inserted into the insertion hole, the optical element being bonded to the second principal surface, an opening of a groove connected to the insertion hole being present on the first principal surface, the grove having a bottom surface made of the transparent material, and transparent resin disposed in the insertion hole and the groove of the ferrule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke NAKAGAWA, Youhei SAKAI
  • Publication number: 20210113226
    Abstract: An endoscope treatment tool includes: a sheath; an operating wire in the sheath; a gripping portion provided at a distal end of the operating wire and having one or more wires; a tip attached to a distal end of the sheath; and a resin member disposed at a position adjacent to the tip on a radially inner or outer side thereof, wherein the tip includes clearance grooves extending toward a proximal end of the tip from a distal end of the tip, passing therethrough from an inner circumferential surface of the tip to an outer circumferential surface of the tip, and having sizes enabling the wires to pass therethrough, and at least proximal-end sides of the grooves overlap with the member in a radial direction of the tip and a distal end of the member is disposed farther on a distal-end side than proximal ends of the grooves are.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tsutomu OKADA
  • Publication number: 20210118145
    Abstract: A diagnostic imaging support system includes: an image input unit that receives an input of an image; a first processing unit that detects a region of interest including a subject of interest from the image, classifies the detected region of interest, and outputs a first classification result; and a second processing unit that subjects the region of interest to semantic segmentation, classifies the region of interest based on a result of the semantic segmentation, and outputs a second classification result. When a predetermined condition related to the region of interest is met, the first classification result is employed as indicating a class of the region of interest, and, when the condition is not met, the second classification result is employed as indicating the class of the region of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Fumiyuki SHIRATANI
  • Patent number: D918386
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takeshi Nohara