JP2002095632A - Endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope system which can easily photograph a desired image about observation objects while controlling a load to the observation objects. SOLUTION: In an insertion part 5 of the endoscope system, a camera section 10 which photographs the observation objects can move (arrow b) in the longitudinal direction inside of a transparent tube section 20. An optical axis direction (arrow a) of the camera section 10 faces approximately in the vertical direction relative to the longitudinal direction of the tube section 20. On this account, the camera section 10 can photograph successive images of vertical direction relative to moving direction, while moving in the arrow b direction inside of the tube section 20. Besides, zooming operation can be handled by sliding a lens group 32.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus,
In particular, the present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus capable of easily observing an object to be observed when observing the inside of a human body such as a stomach or the internal structure of a buried historic site.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An endoscope device for observing the inside of a human body such as a stomach and an observation camera for observing the internal structure of a buried historical site (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as an "endoscope device") are flexible tube-like devices. It consists of a camera provided at the tip and a body connected to the other end.

For example, when examining a stomach using this endoscope apparatus, a camera and a part of a tube connected to the camera are inserted into a human body. Then, light emitted from a light source in the main body is sent to the distal end portion through a light guide path in the tube. Thereby, the imaging target is irradiated, and the image of the imaging target can be captured by the camera inserted into the human body. The captured image (data) is sent to the main unit using the cable inside the tube. The transmitted image is subjected to appropriate image processing, and is displayed on a monitor provided in the main body.

[0004] The same applies when it is necessary to investigate the internal structure in advance when excavating a historic site by excavation work. That is, the camera and a part of the tube of the endoscope apparatus are inserted into the inside through the small hole for observing the historic spot. Then, the internal structure of the tube is photographed by a camera at the tip of the tube.
The photographed image is sent to the main body and is displayed on a monitor.

[0005]

However, the above-mentioned conventional endoscope apparatus is capable of continuously capturing (scanning) a horizontal image while moving the camera, and observing the wall surface of an elongated tube. There was a problem that it was difficult to do.

That is, the optical axis of the camera provided at the tip of the tube is usually oriented in the longitudinal direction of the tube. Therefore, the photographing direction is the direction in which the tip of the tube faces. For this reason, when capturing a horizontal image, the distal end of the tube has to be turned sideways.

It is impossible to advance the camera while the tip of the tube faces sideways. For this reason, it has been difficult to continuously capture images in the horizontal direction.

In addition, it has been difficult to take a horizontal image of an elongated tube or the like in which it is difficult to bend the tip portion sideways in space.

Further, there is a problem that the burden on the patient is still large in the endoscope apparatus for observing the inside of the human body. That is, although the camera is downsized, the patient must swallow the camera provided at the distal end of the tube.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus which can easily capture a desired image of an observation target while suppressing a burden on the observation target. To provide.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, an endoscope apparatus inserts an insertion portion into an observation target, observes the observation target, and inserts the insertion portion. Comprises a tube section, and a camera section that is movable in the tube section and shoots the observation target through the tube section. The tube section has a transparency that allows the camera section to shoot the observation target. It is characterized by having.

According to the present invention, the tube section and the camera section movable in the tube section are inserted into the observation target. Therefore, when observing, for example, the stomach inside the human body, the patient only has to swallow the tube portion without being conscious of swallowing the camera portion. Therefore, the burden on the patient can be reduced.

Further, the material constituting the tube portion has such a transparency that the camera portion can photograph an object to be observed from inside the tube portion. Therefore, once the tube portion is inserted into the observation target, a desired image of the observation target can be easily taken by moving only the camera portion in the tube portion thereafter. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the burden on the observation target.

Therefore, it is possible to provide an endoscope apparatus that can easily capture a desired image of the observation target while suppressing the burden on the observation target.

Preferably, the camera section includes a photographing section having an optical axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tube section,
The endoscope apparatus further includes a position information acquiring unit that acquires photographing position information of the camera unit, and a storage unit that stores an image photographed by the camera unit and the acquired position information in association with each other.

According to the present invention, the direction of the optical axis of the photographing section is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tube section. For this reason, it is not necessary to turn the tip of the tube portion sideways when capturing an image in a substantially vertical direction as in the related art. Therefore, the camera unit can easily capture an image in a substantially vertical direction while moving in the longitudinal direction of the tube unit.

Further, photographing position information of the camera section moving in the tube section is obtained, and the photographed image and the position information are stored in the storage means in association with each other. Therefore, even if the camera unit moves, the positional relationship between the captured images becomes clear, and image processing such as joining can be easily performed.

[0018] Preferably, the endoscope apparatus further comprises a rotating means for rotating the direction of the optical axis of the photographing section about the longitudinal direction of the tube as an axis, and a detecting means for detecting a rotated angle of the rotated optical axis. Storage means, the captured image,
Further, the detected rotation angles are stored in association with each other.

According to the invention, the direction of the optical axis of the photographing section in the camera section can be rotated about the longitudinal direction of the tube section. For this reason, the camera unit can take an image in a desired direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tube unit.

Further, information on the photographing direction of the camera section, that is, the rotation angle is detected, and the rotation angle is stored in association with the image photographed by the camera section. For this reason, even if the shooting direction of the camera unit changes, the relationship of the shooting directions between the shot images becomes clear, and image processing such as joining can be easily performed.

Preferably, the camera unit further comprises a zoom mechanism. According to the present invention, since a zoom mechanism is provided, a desired zoomed image can be easily obtained.

Preferably, the tube portion has further elasticity, and a diameter in a contracted state is smaller than a diameter of the camera portion.

According to the present invention, the tube section has elasticity, and the diameter of the tube in the normal contracted state is smaller than the diameter of the camera section moving inside the tube section. For this reason, when inserting the tube portion into the observation target, a tube having a smaller diameter may be inserted, so that the burden on the observation target is reduced.

Preferably, the camera section further includes a moving means for moving in the tube section, and the camera section moves while expanding the inside of the tube section by the moving means.

According to the present invention, the camera section is moved by the moving means while expanding inside the elastic tube section. Therefore, it is possible to easily move to a place where observation is desired.

Preferably, the endoscope apparatus further comprises expansion means for expanding the tube section, and the camera section moves within the expanded tube section.

According to the present invention, the tube section is expanded by the expansion means, and the camera section moves within the expanded tube section. For this reason, the camera section can be easily moved even in the elastic tube section.

[0028]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an endoscope apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to this figure, endoscope device 1
Reference numeral 00 denotes an insertion unit 5 inserted into the observation target, and a camera operation unit 11 for performing an operation outside the observation target.
And a main body 50 for displaying an image of the observation target sent from the insertion section 5.

The insertion section 5 includes a camera section 10 for photographing an image inside the observation object, and a position / rotation angle detection section 12 for detecting the position and rotation angle of the camera section 10.

The main unit 50 includes a storage unit 13 for storing photographed image data and position / rotation angle information in association with each other, an image processing unit 14 for performing predetermined image processing on the stored image data, It includes a monitor unit 15 for displaying the applied image data, and a control unit 16 for controlling these units.

The image data of the observation object photographed by the camera unit 10 is sent to the control unit 16. In addition, the position of the camera unit 10 detected by the position / rotation angle detection unit 12
The rotation angle information is also sent to the control unit 16. The image data and the position / rotation angle information sent to the control unit 16 are stored in the storage unit 13 in association with each other.

The image data stored in the storage unit 13 is subjected to predetermined image processing such as joining based on position and rotation information by the image processing unit 14. Then, the data after the image processing is sent to the monitor unit 15, where the image of the observation target is appropriately displayed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the insertion section 5 and the camera operation section 11 of the endoscope apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, an insertion section 5 inserted into the observation target includes a transparent tube section 20 extending from a camera operation section 11 and a camera section 1 movable inside the tube section.
0 is included. Since the tube section 20 is transparent, the camera section 10 can photograph an object to be photographed existing outside the tube section 20 through the tube section 20.

The camera operation section 11 has operation buttons 11a for causing the camera section 10 to perform various operations such as going straight, stopping, panning, tilting, and zooming. Then, an operation signal is transmitted to the camera unit 10 via a control line (not shown) in the tube unit 20. The tube section 20
The line extending from the side opposite to the side to which is connected to the main body 50.

For example, when observing a human stomach using the endoscope apparatus 100, a transparent tube portion 20 is inserted into the human body. Then, the camera unit 10 moves in the tube unit 20 in accordance with the operation of the camera operation unit 11, and captures an image of the inside of the stomach.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the endoscope device 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the insertion section 5 of the endoscope apparatus 100, a camera section 10 for photographing an observation target is movable in a longitudinal direction inside the transparent tube section 20 (arrow b). The optical axis direction (arrow a) of the camera unit 10 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tube unit 20. For this reason,
The camera unit 10 can capture an image in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction while moving in the tube unit 20 in the direction of arrow b.

The camera unit 10 includes a lens unit 32 and an image pickup device 31 such as a CCD in its photographing unit. The zoom operation can be performed by moving the lens unit 32. For this reason, it is possible to continuously capture images in the vertical direction while moving in the tube section 20 in the longitudinal direction, and to perform a zoom operation as necessary.

Note that the camera unit 10 to the camera operation unit 11
The control line 33 extending from the camera operation unit 11 is used not only for operating instructions sent from the camera operation unit 11 to the camera unit 10, but also for transmitting image data captured by the camera unit 10 to the main unit 50.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining how the camera section 10 moves inside the tube section 20. With reference to this figure, the camera unit 10 includes a front wheel 42 and a rear wheel 43 for moving inside the tube unit 20, and an illumination unit 41 for irradiating an object to be photographed.

The camera section 10 can freely move in the tube section 20 in the direction indicated by the arrow b by rotating the front wheel 42 and the rear wheel 43. The photographing section of the camera section 10 is rotatable about the longitudinal direction of the tube section 20 as indicated by an arrow c. The optical axis direction a changes with the rotation of the imaging unit. Therefore, it is possible for the camera unit 10 to capture images in any direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tube unit 20 as desired.

The rotation angle of the photographing unit is detected by the position / rotation angle detection unit 12 (not shown) and sent to the main unit 50 as rotation angle information together with the corresponding photographed image.

The illumination section 41 may use a built-in light source or may use light emitted from the light source of the main body section 50. When the irradiation light of the light source of the main body unit 50 is used, the irradiation light passes through a light guide path such as an optical fiber provided in the tube unit 20.

FIG. 5 shows the wheels 4 provided on the camera unit 10.
It is a figure for demonstrating 2, 43. FIG. 5A is a front view of the camera unit 10 as viewed from the front, and FIG.
3 is a front sectional view at the position of the front wheel 42 of the camera unit 10. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, three front wheels 42 are provided in front of the camera section 10 with an axle inclination of 120 degrees, and three rear wheels 43 are provided rearward with the same axle inclination. , Respectively. The front wheels 42 and the rear wheels 43 are alternately arranged with an axle inclination of 60 degrees.

Although such a configuration is employed in order to efficiently avoid contact between the tube section 20 and the camera section 10 with a small number of wheels, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Any configuration may be used as long as the wheels can be moved to the vehicle.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a case where the position / rotation angle detection unit 12 detects the position information of the camera unit 10. Referring to this figure, the tube portion 20 has
A predetermined reading pattern 61 is provided by a transparent electrode such as TO, ZnO, SnO ₂ or the like. 2 in the camera section 10
The two electrode brushes 62 are provided, and the tube portion 20 is provided.
Is in constant contact with

By passing a minute current from one end of the electrode brush 62 to the other, a change in resistance due to the reading pattern 61 is detected. Thereby, the position information of the camera unit 10 can be electrically detected.

Note that instead of providing the electrode brush 62,
A wheel that is always in contact with the tube section 20 may be made of a conductive material, and the change in resistance may be detected using the wheel.

The detected position information is sent to the main unit 50 via the control line 33 together with the rotation angle information.
In the main unit 50, these pieces of information are stored in the storage unit 13 in association with the corresponding image data. For this reason, the positional relationship between the images captured by the camera unit 10 can be clarified, and image processing such as joining can be performed accurately.

As described above, according to the endoscope apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, since the tube section 20 inserted into the object to be observed is transparent, the tube section 20 that moves inside the tube section 20 is used. Through the tube part 20,
An image of a shooting target can be shot. At this time, since the optical axis direction of the camera unit 10 is substantially perpendicular to the moving direction (the longitudinal direction of the tube unit 20), the tube unit 2
It is possible to continuously capture an image in the horizontal direction of the tube section 20 while moving in the area 0.

Further, when photographing the tube section 20 in the lateral direction, unlike the conventional endoscope apparatus, there is no need to bend the tip of the tube and turn the camera sideways. For this reason, it is possible to easily observe even the inside of the observation object where there is not enough space.

For example, even when observing a historical site or the like whose internal state itself is completely unknown, a horizontal image can be obtained simply by inserting the tube portion 20 through a small hole. Therefore, the possibility that the tube (camera) comes into contact with the inside of the observation target is reduced, and inconvenience such as destruction due to the contact can be avoided.

Further, when the observation target is a human body, the burden on the patient is reduced. That is, the patient only has to swallow the tube portion 20 having a uniform thickness, and it is not necessary to consciously swallow the camera.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described. The endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment has the same overall configuration as the endoscope apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. The configuration of the camera unit 10 is the same as that shown in FIG. Therefore, the direction of the optical axis of the imaging unit is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tube unit, and is rotatable 360 degrees around the longitudinal direction. These are the first
This is the same as the embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, the shape of the tube portion is slightly different.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining an endoscope apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the insertion section 5 of the endoscope device according to the present embodiment
In this case, a transparent tube portion 70 having elasticity is used, and in a normal contracted state, the diameter of the tube portion 70 is smaller than the diameter of the camera portion 10 existing in the tube portion 70.

Therefore, when the camera section 10 moves inside the tube section 70, it moves in the longitudinal direction while expanding the tube section 70 (arrow b). As described above, the optical axis direction (arrow a) of the camera unit 10 is the first direction.
As in the case of the first embodiment, it is oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tube portion 70. For this reason, it is possible to capture an image in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction while the camera unit 10 moves in the tube part 70 in the direction of arrow b.

Also in the present embodiment, the camera section 10 can perform a zoom operation by moving the lens group 32. Therefore, the image in the vertical direction can be continuously captured while moving in the longitudinal direction in the tube section 70, and the zoom operation can be performed as necessary.

Further, the expansion and contraction rate of the tube section 70 is known, and as shown in FIG. 6, the position information of the camera section 10 can be electrically detected.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the tube section 70 has elasticity, and is smaller than the diameter of the camera section 10 in a normal contracted state. Camera unit 10
Moves while expanding the tube section 70. Therefore, when observing the human body or the like, it is possible to observe the inside of the human body by moving the camera unit 10 only by swallowing the small-diameter tube portion 70. Therefore, the burden on the patient to swallow the camera unit 10 is reduced.

(Third Embodiment) Finally, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment has the same overall configuration as the endoscope apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. However,
The tube section is the tube section 20 according to the first embodiment.
Unlike this, a tube having the same elasticity as the tube portion 70 in the second embodiment is used. Further, the camera unit 10 does not rotate the photographing unit itself, and therefore does not include a rotation device for the photographing unit. The moving method when the camera section 10 moves inside the tube section 70 is also different.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a state before and after expansion of the tube portion 70 in the present embodiment. Referring to this figure, the tube part 70 is a spiral tube 8
1 is provided therein. Then, in the normal contracted state, the spiral tube 81 is also contracted in the tube portion 70 as shown in FIG.

When expanding the tube portion 70, gas or liquid is injected into the spiral tube 81.
As a result, as shown in FIG.
Can be inflated.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the appearance of the camera unit 10 of the endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment. Referring to this figure, a spiral groove 90 is provided on the main body surface of the camera unit 10. The groove 90 has a shape in which the spiral tube 81 in the tube portion 70 shown in FIG. Note that a plurality of wheels 91 are provided inside the groove 90.
Is installed.

When the camera section 10 moves, first, as shown in FIG. 8B, gas or liquid is injected into the tube 81, and the tube section 70 is expanded. The spiral tube 81 is inserted into the groove 90 of the camera unit 10.
The wheel 91 provided in the groove 90 rotates in a state in which is fitted. As a result, the camera unit 10 moves forward or backward while rotating in a spiral with the tube 81 as a guide.

The optical axis direction (photographing direction) a of the photographing part of the camera part 10 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tube part 70, similarly to the camera part 10 in the first and second embodiments. I have. For this reason, the shooting direction (optical axis direction) of the camera unit 10 in the present embodiment changes not with the rotation of the shooting unit but with the rotational movement of the camera unit 10 itself.

Also in this embodiment, the camera section 10 can perform a zoom operation by moving the lens group 32. Therefore, it is possible to continuously capture images in the vertical direction while rotating and moving within the tube section 70, and it is also possible to perform a zoom operation.

The position information (including the rotation angle information) of the camera unit 10 can be obtained by detecting which position of the tube 81 the camera unit 10 is at. As a detection method at this time, for example, a method of examining the resistance value of the transparent reading pattern provided on the surface of the tube 81 using the conductive wheel 91 can be considered. The acquired position information is sent to the main unit 50 together with the corresponding captured image data.

In the main unit 50, the image processing unit 14 performs appropriate image processing such as joining image data based on positional information. Then, a desired image of the observation target can be observed on the monitor unit 15 or the like.

According to the endoscope apparatus of the present embodiment, the tube section 70 of the insertion section 5 is normally in a contracted state. Then, expansion is performed only when the camera unit 10 moves. Therefore, when observing the inside of the human body or the like, the patient only has to swallow the tube portion 70 in the contracted state, and the burden of swallowing the camera unit 10 is reduced. After the tube portion 70 in the contracted state is swallowed, the tube portion 70 is expanded and the camera unit 10 moves. Therefore, the inside of the human body can be appropriately observed.

Further, since the camera section 10 is moved after the tube section 70 is expanded, the camera section 10 can be easily moved even in the elastic tube section 70.

Further, in the endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment, the photographing direction can be changed by rotating the entire camera section 10 without providing a rotating means for rotating only the photographing section. Therefore, it is possible to capture images in all directions with a simple configuration.

In the embodiment shown this time,
As a method of detecting the position of the camera unit 10, a method as shown in FIG. That is, a reading pattern 61 made of a transparent electrode is provided on the inner surface of the tube section 20, and the position information is electrically detected. However, the position detection method is not limited to this method. Therefore, for example, it may be detected optically.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a case where the position information of the camera section 10 is optically detected. Referring to this figure, on the surface of the tube portion 20, a reading pattern 101 is provided by an infrared reflection film that transmits visible light and reflects infrared light. On the other hand, the camera section 10 is provided with an infrared LED 102. A reading pattern 101 is irradiated with infrared light from the infrared LED 102, and a change in the reflectance is detected. As a result, the position information is obtained.

It is also possible to detect by a magnetic method. For example, a reading pattern is formed by applying a transparent magnetic material to the tube section 20 and the camera section 1 is formed.
The change in the magnetic field may be detected by a magnetic sensor provided at zero.

In the embodiment shown this time,
As shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the optical axis direction (imaging direction) of the imaging section of the camera section 10 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tube section. However, as shown in FIG. 11, it may be in the longitudinal direction. In this case, an illumination unit 1141 for illuminating the imaging target is also provided in front of the camera unit 10. Further, the imaging units may be provided in both the longitudinal direction and the direction perpendicular thereto.

In the embodiment shown this time,
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the camera operation unit 11 has a configuration separated from the main body unit 50. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the camera operation section 11 may be provided integrally with the main body section 50. Thus, the user can operate the camera unit 10 while looking at the monitor unit 15, and the camera operation for obtaining a desired image is further facilitated.

In the embodiment shown this time,
As a driving method of the camera unit 10, the case where wheels provided on the camera unit 10 main body are used has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this method, and another actuator may be used. Further, the camera unit 10 may be moved by a physical action such as providing a wire capable of transmitting an external force to the control line or sending air.

The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an endoscope apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of an insertion section 5 and a camera operation section 11 of the endoscope apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an endoscope device 100 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining how the camera unit 10 moves inside the tube unit 20.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining wheels 42 and 43 provided in the camera unit 10;

FIG. 6 shows a camera unit 10 by a position / rotation angle detection unit 12.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a case where the position information is detected.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining an endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a state before and after expansion of a tube section 70 in the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a camera unit 10 of the endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing a case where position information of the camera unit 10 is optically detected.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the camera unit 10 when the optical axis direction (shooting direction) of the shooting unit is in the longitudinal direction.

[Explanation of symbols]

5 Insertion section, 10 camera section, 11 camera operation section, 1
2 position / rotation angle detection unit, 13 storage unit, 14 image processing unit, 15 monitor unit, 16 control unit, 20, 70 tube unit, 32 lens group, 33 control line, 41,
1141 lighting unit, 42 front wheel, 43 rear wheel,
50 body part, 61, 101 reading pattern, 62
Electrode brush, 81 transparent tube, 90 grooves, 91 wheels, 102 infrared LED.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 7/18 H04N 7/18 M (72) Inventor Satoshi Shinya 2-3-1, Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi No. Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Satoshi Yokota 2-3-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H040 BA03 BA04 CA23 DA21 DA43 GA02 4C061 CC06 FF50 GG22 JJ01 JJ06 LL01 PP07 PP09 QQ06 RR06 YY12 5C022 AA09 AB66 AC01 AC31 AC42 AC51 AC54 AC63 AC69 AC78 5C054 AA01 AA05 CA04 CC03 CE07 CF01 CF08 CH01 EA01 EA03 EA05 FA00 HA12

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope apparatus for observing an observation target by inserting an insertion part into an observation target, wherein the insertion part is movable in a tube part and the tube part. An endoscope apparatus, comprising: a camera unit that photographs the observation target via a unit; and the tube unit has a degree of transparency that allows the camera unit to photograph the observation target. . 2. The camera section includes a photographing section having an optical axis substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the tube section, position information acquiring means for acquiring photographing position information of the camera section, and the camera section. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a storage unit configured to store an image captured by a computer and the acquired position information in association with each other. 3. The storage device further includes: a rotation unit configured to rotate an optical axis direction of the imaging unit around a longitudinal direction of the tube unit as an axis; and a detection unit configured to detect a rotation angle of the rotated optical axis direction. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the means further stores the captured image in association with the detected rotation angle. 4. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the camera unit further includes a zoom mechanism. 5. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the tube portion has further elasticity, and a diameter in a contracted state is smaller than a diameter of the camera portion. Mirror device. 6. The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein the camera unit further includes a moving unit that moves inside the tube unit, and the camera unit moves while expanding the inside of the tube unit by the moving unit. apparatus. 7. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising an expansion unit that expands the tube section, wherein the camera section moves inside the expanded tube section.