Flexible bronchoscope, cased, with accessories by Machida, Japan, 1978

A bronchoscope is used to examine the inside of the lungs and airways. This is carried out with sedation - a state of relaxation and sleepiness induced by medicines. Sometimes tissue samples, known as biopsies, are also taken for further tests.

Machida was founded in 1956 and was one of the earliest flexible scopes for medical use.