Abstract
There have been two methods in illuminating the open tube type endoscope. The one is the illumination from outside of the tube and the other is the illumination through the light guide constructed within the tube. Either methods, however, are supposed to be insufficient, because of the lack of brightness, obstruction of the light path by the operating instruments inserted, and in the case of the former method, of the formation of flare by scattering of light on the inner surface of the tube, or in the case of the latter method, fading of the light by the blood or mucous sticking to the tip of light guide and bulging of light guide inside the tube.
To solve these difficulties, the new system of illumination was explored. This consisted of the bundle of glass-fibers surrounding the tube, which enabled the effective illumination from the tip, and the light source combining with the stroboflash for taking photography.
This system has been applied effecitively the endoscopy of the throat, esophagus and trachea, and proved to be very suitable for color-photography.
