Patent ID: 6817977
Filing Date: 2004-11-16
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A lighting system for an endoscope, comprising:a lamp for supplying illuminating light, said lamp being positioned so that an optical axis thereof is oriented horizontally; a light guide having an incident end upon which said illuminating light from said lamp is incident; and a diaphragm plate rotated about a pivot so as to advance into and retract from an optical path of said illuminating light, said pivot extending parallel to said optical axis of said lamp and positioned one of above and below said optical path; wherein said diaphragm plate comprises: a notch which is formed at one end of said diaphragm plate, said notch being positioned along an arc which is centered about said pivot and which intersects a center of said light guide when said diaphragm plate rotates about said pivot, and a large number of minute perforations formed along and below said arc.