LIGHT GUIDE FOR ENDOSCOPE, ENDOSCOPE EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING LIGHT GUIDE FOR ENDOSCOPE

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the intensity of a laser beam per visual angle at an output end of an optical fiber by expanding a spreading angle without tapering the optical fiber into a tapered shape and forming a light source large in emission area in a light guide for an endoscope.;SOLUTION: A light guide for an endoscope is equipped with an optical fiber F. The optical fiber F has an input side tapered portion Ta and an output side tapered portion Tb. The input side tapered portion Ta is a predetermined portion of the optical fiber F that includes an input end Sa into which the illumination light enters the optical fiber, and the core of the optical fiber F having a shape that becomes thicker toward the input end in the light input side tapered portion. The light output side tapered portion Tb is a predetermined portion of the optical fiber F that includes an output end Sb through which the illumination light is output, and the core of the optical fiber having a shape that becomes thicker toward the output end Sb in the light output side tapered portion. The core diameter at the input end Sa is greater than the core diameter at the output end Sb.;COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&INPIT