JP2009207754A - Electronic endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic endoscope simultaneously performing direct-viewing and side-viewing. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic endoscope includes: an insertion part distal end part having a fixing block and mantle tubes to cover the fixing block; an imaging apparatus for direct-viewing incorporated in the fixing block, so as to perform imaging with subject light to be made incident from the insertion distal end surface; and an imaging apparatus for side-viewing including a cylindrical rotation member, which is arranged in a cylindrical space formed between the fixing block and the mantle tube and is rotated inside the cylindrical space, an imaging means and an illumination means, which are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical rotation member along the longitudinal direction of the insertion part distal end part, and a rotation driving member for rotating the cylindrical rotation member to allow the imaging means and the illumination means to circle along the mantle tubes, in which the cylindrical rotation member is arranged in the direction of the distal end surface from the driving member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope capable of both direct view and side view.

  A conventional direct-view electronic endoscope includes a direct-view imaging device 20 (FIG. 5) built in the distal end portion 11 of the insertion portion. The general direct-view imaging device 20 is arranged such that an objective optical system 21 is provided on the distal end surface 11 a of the insertion portion distal end portion 11 and the imaging element 23 is located behind the optical path along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion distal end portion 11. Thus, the direct-view imaging device 20 images the subject 200 facing the front end surface 11a (FIG. 1). On the other hand, the side-view electronic endoscope is provided with an objective optical system 31 on the outer peripheral surface 11b of the insertion portion distal end portion 11, and the optical path is bent in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion distal end portion 11 by a mirror or a prism 35. A side-view image pickup device 30 having an image pickup element 33 arranged in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is incorporated. Thus, the side-view imaging device 30 images a subject facing the outer peripheral surface 11b (FIG. 4).

In addition, a line sensor or an area sensor extending in the longitudinal direction is provided on the outer periphery of the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope, and for side viewing, the inner wall surface of the lumen is photographed by rotating the line sensor around the longitudinal axis. Electronic endoscopes have been developed (Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP 63-40117 A JP 2006-87447 A

  However, in the case of an electronic endoscope for direct viewing, the esophagus and the inner wall surface 103 of the intestine 101 are perspective and difficult to observe (FIG. 3). There is a problem that 107a can be seen but the back side 107b is difficult to see (FIGS. 2 and 3). Side-viewing endoscopes are more suitable for such observations, but side-viewing electronic endoscopes are difficult to observe because they cannot observe the front. is there. Under such circumstances, the direct use electronic endoscope and the side view electronic endoscope cannot be used simultaneously.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the conventional direct-viewing and side-viewing electronic endoscopes, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic endoscope that can simultaneously perform direct-viewing and side-viewing.

  The present invention that solves such a problem includes a distal end portion of an insertion portion having a fixed block and a mantle tube covering the stationary block, and the distal end portion of the insertion portion includes a distal end surface of the insertion portion that is built in the stationary block. An imaging device for direct viewing that captures an image of incident subject light, a cylindrical rotating member that is disposed in a cylindrical space formed between the fixed block and the outer tube, and that rotates in the cylindrical space, the cylinder An imaging means and an illumination means provided along the longitudinal direction of the distal end portion of the insertion portion, and an imaging means and an illumination means provided along the outer tube. It has the feature that it has a rotation drive member rotated so that it may circulate, and the cylindrical rotation member is located in the tip direction from this drive member.

Actually, the imaging means is a line sensor, and the scanning direction of the line sensor and the rotation direction of the cylindrical rotating member are formed to be orthogonal to each other.
Further, with the illumination means turned on, the cylindrical rotation member is rotationally driven by the rotation driving member, and the process of capturing an image from the imaging means is repeated every time the cylindrical rotation member rotates a predetermined angle. It is practical to provide a control means. Furthermore, a sensor is provided between the cylindrical rotating member and the fixed block to detect that the rotational position of the cylindrical rotating member is at the origin position.
The outer tube is formed of a transparent member in a region facing the imaging unit and the illumination unit.

  The illuminating means can be constituted by an LED array provided in parallel with the line sensor. A deflection optical member for deflecting illumination light emitted from each LED to the scanning area of the line sensor is preferably disposed on the front surface of the LED array.

  The illumination means includes a light guide plate provided in parallel with the line sensor, and a light source that is disposed on one end face of the light guide plate and makes illumination light incident from the end face. The light guide plate includes the line sensor. A light exit surface through which the illumination light guided in the light guide plate exits toward the image pickup region of the image pickup means can be formed.

  The rotation drive member is a ring motor in which a stator is fixed to the fixed block, and a rear end portion of the rotation member is fixed to a ring-shaped rotor of the ring motor.

  The rotation drive member includes a motor mounted in the fixed block and a reduction gear train driven by the motor, and an inner gear is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical rotation member, and the motor Is transmitted to the cylindrical rotating member via the reduction gear train and the inner gear.

  The control means uses the image scanned by the imaging means when the sensor detects the origin position as the first horizontal image, and takes the next horizontal image every time the cylindrical member rotates a predetermined time. Capture from.

  According to the present invention, a cylindrical subject such as the intestine or the esophagus can be photographed from a substantially vertical direction by the side-viewing imaging device, so that an image without distortion can be photographed. Moreover, since the hollow portion and the like can be photographed with a normal direct-use imaging device, the insertion operation is easy, and appropriate observation according to the condition of the observation target becomes possible.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 5 shows the arrangement of the built-in object by longitudinally cutting the distal end of the insertion portion of a conventional general direct-view electronic endoscope, and FIG. 6 shows the electronic endoscope of the present invention capable of direct view and side view. In the embodiment of the mirror, the distal end portion of the insertion portion is vertically cut to show the arrangement of built-in objects.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the conventional direct-view endoscope distal end portion has a direct-view imaging device 20 disposed in a fixed resin block 40 housed in the outer tube 14 at a position slightly shifted from the center. Illumination fiber bundles 41 are arranged on both sides of the direct-view imaging device 20. Further, in the fixed resin block 40, a forceps channel 42 is disposed on the opposite side of the imaging device 20 for direct viewing across the center, and an air / water supply channel 43 is disposed on both sides of the forceps channel 42.

  In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6, the arrangement of the direct-view imaging device 20, the pair of illumination fiber bundles 51, the forceps channel 52, and the pair of air / water supply channels 53 in the fixed resin block 50 is the same. is there. That is, the direct-view imaging device 20 (objective optical system 21 and imaging element 23) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is provided. The present invention is characterized in that a side-view imaging device 60 is provided in addition to the direct-view imaging device 20. Hereinafter, the configuration which is a feature of the present invention will be described.

  In this embodiment, a side-view imaging device 60 is provided between the fixed resin block 50 and the outer tube 15. The side-view imaging device 60 is mounted on a tubular substrate 61 rotatably disposed in a tubular space provided between the fixed resin block 50 and the outer tube 15 and an outer peripheral surface of the tubular substrate 61. The line sensor 63 and the illumination light source 65 extending in parallel with the axial center of the tubular substrate 61 are provided. The tubular substrate 61 is supported at the rear end portion thereof by a rotational drive device 71 (see FIG. 7), and is rotationally driven by the rotational drive device 71. The line sensor 63 includes a plurality of imaging elements (photoelectric conversion elements) 63a, and is scanned (read) from one end portion toward the other end portion. The line sensor 63 is arranged so that the scanning direction is orthogonal to the rotation direction of the cylindrical substrate 61.

  Further, an origin position sensor 67a is mounted on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular substrate 61, and an origin marker 67b is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the fixed resin block 50 at a position facing the path of the origin position sensor 67a. The outer tube 15 is formed to be transparent as a whole or at least the opposing region through which the line sensor 63 and the illumination light source 65 pass.

  The tubular substrate 61 is preferably provided as close as possible to the distal end surface 11a of the insertion portion (FIG. 7A), but the rotational drive device 71 is provided at the rear portion of the tubular substrate 61 and behind the direct use imaging device 23. It is preferable to be located at. In addition, you may provide the tubular board | substrate 61 in the back position from the imaging device 20 for direct viewing (FIG. 7 (B)).

  The line sensor 63 includes a plurality of image sensors 63a, and a condensing lens 63b is disposed on the front surface of the image sensor 63a. The condenser lens 63b is formed so that the reflected light from the subject within a distance range from the surface of the outer tube 15 to about 40 mm can be focused on the image sensor 63a. The condensing lens 63b is configured by, for example, a microlens provided for each imaging element 63a. The imaging range in the circumferential direction (scanning line width) is preferably a range and angle of view that radiates from the center of rotation of the tubular substrate 61.

As the line sensor 63 capable of color photographing, for example, a sensor in which three rows of image sensor elements are provided in parallel and the primary color filters of red, green, and blue are mounted on the front surface of the image sensor for each column is used. .
As another configuration, a filter in which red, green, and blue (R, G, B) filters are alternately arranged in order for each pixel of the line sensor 63 is used.

"Lighting light source"
The illumination light source 65 is offset from the line sensor 63. Therefore, the illumination light source 65 is set so that the illumination range is inclined toward the line sensor 63 so that the entire photographing (scanning) range of the line sensor 63 can be illuminated as uniformly as possible.

9 and 10 show an embodiment of the illumination light source 65. FIG. The embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is formed by a white LED array in which a plurality of white LEDs 65a are arranged on a straight line (FIG. 9A). A diffusion plate 65b that determines the illumination direction and illumination range is mounted on the front surface of each LED 65a, and the illumination range is set by the diffusion plate 65a so as to cover the entire scanning range of the line sensor 63 ( FIG. 9B).
As another configuration, the LED array of FIG. 18 has a structure in which a large number of LEDs 65R, 65G, and 65B emitting light of red, green, and blue (R, G, and B) are arranged in order. Light can be emitted, or three colors can be combined to produce white light or light of any color. When each color of the LEDs 65R, 65G, and 65B is caused to emit light alone, color photography can be performed without providing the line sensor 63 with a color filter.

Another embodiment of the illumination light source 65 is shown in FIG. This illumination light source is formed by one white high-intensity LED 651 and one light guide plate 652 (FIG. 10A). Illumination light emitted from the LED 651 enters the light guide plate 652 from the end face, and travels in the light guide plate 652 while being partially emitted from the exit window 652a. In this embodiment, the exit window 652a of the light guide plate 652 is inclined toward the line sensor 63, and the illumination direction and illumination are such that the illumination range of illumination light emitted from the exit window 652a can cover the entire scanning range of the line sensor 63. A range is set (FIG. 10B).
As another configuration, as shown in FIG. 19, the LED 653 has a structure in which LEDs emitting light of red, green, and blue (R, G, and B) are combined. Colors can be combined to produce white light or light of any color. When each color of the three-color LED 653 is caused to emit light alone, color photography can be performed without providing the line sensor 63 with a color filter.

"Rotary drive"
Next, an embodiment of a rotational drive device 71 that rotationally drives the tubular substrate 61 will be described. FIG. 11 shows an embodiment in which a ring type motor is used as the rotation drive device 71. The ring motor includes an annular stator 71a and a rotor 71b, and an annular rotor 71b is fitted on the outer periphery of the annular stator 71a. Thus, the rear end surface of the tubular substrate 61 is fixed to the front end surface of the annular rotor 71b. The annular stator 71 a is fixed to the fixed resin block 50.

FIG. 12 shows a more specific embodiment of the ring type motor provided at the rear end portion of the tubular substrate 61. In the ring type motor of this embodiment, the fixed resin block 50 is also used as a stator. That is, the coil 73 b is embedded in the fixed resin block 50, and the ring rotor 73 a is rotatably fitted in the fixed resin block 50. The ring rotor 73a is alternately magnetized in the circumferential direction, and a plurality of coils 73b are embedded in the fixed resin block at a predetermined phase angle. Thus, the rear end surface of the cylindrical substrate 61 is fixed to the ring rotor 73a. By sequentially energizing these coils 73b, the ring rotor 73a rotates in a predetermined direction. That is, the tubular substrate 61 rotates integrally with the ring rotor 73a.
The ring rotor 73a is supported by a bearing or the like provided between the ring rotor 73a and the shaft so as not to move in the axial direction.

  The rear end portion of the tubular substrate 61 is supported by the ring rotors 71b and 73b, but the front end portion is in a free state. Therefore, the front end portion of the tubular substrate 61 is supported so as not to be shaken and prevent the rotation from being disturbed so that the front end portion of the tubular substrate 61 does not axially shake and come into contact with the outer tube and the fixed resin block. For example, balls that are in contact with the inner side or the outer side of the tubular substrate 61 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the fixed resin block 50 at three or more locations separated in the circumferential direction.

  FIG. 13 shows an example in which the tubular substrate 61 is rotated via a reduction gear device as another embodiment of the rotation drive device 71. In this embodiment, a small motor 76 mounted in the fixed resin block 50 is provided as a drive source. A pinion gear 77 a fixed to the rotating shaft of the small motor 76 and a relay gear 77 b that meshes with the pinion gear 77 a mesh with an inner gear 77 c formed on the inner surface of the tubular substrate 61. In this embodiment, the rotation of the small motor 76 is transmitted to the tubular substrate 61 via the reduction gear train, and the tubular substrate 61 is rotated. Instead of these gears 77a, 77b, and 77c, a friction transmission system such as a pulley and an idler may be used. Also in this embodiment, the tubular substrate 61 is supported by a bearing member (not shown) so as to be rotatable and not to move in the axial direction.

  FIG. 17 shows a block diagram of the control system of the electronic endoscope. This electronic endoscope is used by being connected to a processor in the same manner as a conventional electronic endoscope. The electronic endoscope includes drive control of the direct-view imaging device 20 and side-view imaging device 60 (line sensor 63), lighting control of the illumination light source 65, position detection by the origin position sensor 67a, and rotation drive device 71. A control unit 81 responsible for drive control and the like is provided. The electronic endoscope is connected to the processor 91, and the control unit 81 performs a control operation based on a command from the processor 91.

  Video signals captured by the direct-use imaging device 20 and the side-view imaging device 60 are output to the processor 91, processed by the circuit for video processing in the processor 91, and displayed on the display 93. The display may be divided or displayed on one display 93, but may be displayed independently on two displays.

  For example, a rotary connector can be used to connect the line sensor 63, the illumination light source 65, and the origin position sensor 67a that rotate with the cylindrical substrate 61 to the control unit 81 and the processor 91. For example, as shown in FIG. 20, the interface between the rotating part and the fixed part is a fixed resin that is provided with a circular contact pattern 61a on a ring-shaped or drum-shaped tubular substrate 61 integrated with the rotating part, and serves as a fixed part. This can be realized by a configuration in which the contact is made with the brush-like contact 50 a provided in the block 50.

"Shooting operation"
An imaging operation by the side-viewing imaging device 60 and an aspect in which the captured video is displayed on the display will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the cylindrical substrate 61 rotates. In this embodiment, every time the tubular substrate 61 is rotated by a predetermined angle, an image captured (scanned) by the line sensor 63 is captured and displayed on the display 92.

FIG. 15 shows the relationship between the moving direction of the line sensor 63 and the image when an image captured by the line sensor 63 of the side-viewing imaging device 60 is displayed on the display 93. In this embodiment, the horizontal direction of the screen is the longitudinal direction of the line sensor 63, and the vertical direction of the screen is the rotation direction.
FIG. 16 shows the relationship between the line sensor 63 and the image in cylindrical coordinates.

  A description will be given with reference to a state when the subject (inside the intestine 101) shown in FIG. 2 is imaged (FIG. 16). First, the rotation position of the tubular substrate 61 when the origin position sensor 67a detects the origin marker 67b is set as the origin (reference) position. Then, the video signal scanned (captured) by the line sensor 73 at the origin position is captured. This one capture becomes one horizontal direction data on one screen, and is displayed on the display 93 as an image for one scan.

  Next, a video signal scanned (captured) by the line sensor 73 with a predetermined rotation of the tubular substrate 61 is captured and displayed on the display 93 as an image for the next one scan.

  The above rotation, loading, and display processes are repeated while the tubular substrate 61 is rotated once. Until the display for one screen is completed, the acquired image signals are sequentially written in the memory, and the display is maintained. When the tubular substrate 61 rotates once, it is displayed as shown in FIG.

  Here, when the imaging mode by the side-view imaging device 60 is the still image mode, the above display is maintained. In the moving image mode, the above rotation, capture, and display processing are continued. That is, when the tubular substrate 61 returns to the origin position, the process of updating the first scanned image of the display to a newly acquired image is repeated.

If the tubular substrate 61 can be photographed at 60 to 30 revolutions per second, moving images can be displayed in accordance with the current TV display standard. Normally, since the image is rotated at a lower speed, the image data for one horizontal scan is written in the cache memory, the screen display is maintained by the stored image data, the image data for the same horizontal scan is input after one rotation. Sometimes, the image display for one scanning line is updated by overwriting the memory.
In addition, it is possible to write the image data for one screen stored in memory on other recording media as necessary.

The optical system is adjusted so that the width of the scanning line imaged on the line sensor coincides with (or is slightly wider) the angle at which the rotating unit rotates during one line scanning time. That is, the width of the scanning line viewed from the center of rotation is always constant, and the line width on the subject is proportional to the distance from the center of rotation.
Further, when the endoscope is moving in the front-rear direction, there is a possibility that the horizontal image is displaced. This displacement can be corrected by estimating the moving distance using the data of direct-view observation.

  Further, in the case of imaging by the side-view imaging device 60, while the line sensor 63 is rotated once, the distance between the line sensor 63 and the subject (affected part) is not constant, and may change greatly to be overexposed or underexposed. It is. Therefore, the brightness of the illumination light source 65 is adjusted so that image data with appropriate brightness can be obtained. For example, every time a video signal is captured from the line sensor 63, the brightness is measured to adjust the brightness of the illumination light source 65.

It is a figure explaining the mode of imaging with a direct viewing electronic endoscope provided with an imaging device for direct viewing. It is a figure explaining the mode of imaging with the electronic endoscope for direct viewing. It is a figure explaining the image | video imaged with the direct-view electronic endoscope of FIG. It is a figure explaining the mode of imaging with the electronic endoscope for side views provided with the conventional imaging device for side views. It is sectional drawing which crossed the insertion part front-end | tip part of the direct-view electronic endoscope provided with the conventional direct use imaging device. It is sectional drawing which crossed the insertion part front-end | tip part of embodiment of the electronic endoscope provided with the imaging device for direct view of this invention, and the imaging device for side views. It is a figure which shows the side surface of different embodiment of the electronic endoscope provided with the imaging device for direct view of this invention, and the imaging device for side views, to (A) and (B). It is a figure which shows the principal part of the imaging device for side views of the embodiment. (A) of the Example of the illumination light source of the imaging device for side views of the embodiment is the figure seen from the endoscope side surface, (B) is the figure seen from the endoscope front end side. (A) of the other example of the illumination light source of the imaging device for side view of the embodiment is a view seen from the upper surface of the endoscope, and (B) is a view seen from the distal end side of the endoscope. (A) of the embodiment of the driving device that rotationally drives the tubular substrate of the imaging device for side view according to the embodiment, viewed from the side of the endoscope, and (B) viewed from the rear end side of the endoscope It is. It is sectional drawing which shows embodiment of the drive device which rotationally drives the tubular board | substrate of the imaging device for side views of the embodiment across an insertion part front-end | tip part. It is sectional drawing which shows other embodiment of the drive device which rotationally drives the tubular board | substrate of the imaging device for side views of the embodiment across an insertion part front-end | tip part. In the electronic endoscope of the embodiment, it is a cross-sectional view for explaining a state when imaging is performed by the side-viewing imaging device. In the electronic endoscope of the embodiment, it is a diagram showing a display example when an image captured by the side-viewing imaging device is displayed on a display. In the electronic endoscope of the embodiment, it is a diagram for explaining the relationship between an image captured by the side-viewing imaging apparatus and a subject. It is a block circuit diagram which shows the outline | summary of the control system in the electronic endoscope of the embodiment. (A) of the other example of the illumination light source of the imaging device for side viewing of the embodiment is a view seen from the side of the endoscope, and (B) is a view seen from the distal end side of the endoscope. (A) of the other example of the illumination light source of the imaging device for side view of the embodiment is a view seen from the upper surface of the endoscope, and (B) is a view seen from the distal end side of the endoscope. It is a figure which shows an example of the interface of a rotation part and a fixed part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Insert part front-end | tip part 11a End surface 11b Outer peripheral surface 14 Outer tube 15 Outer tube 20 Direct-view imaging device 21 Objective optical system 23 Imaging element 30 Side-view imaging device 31 Objective optical system 33 Imaging element 35 Prism 40 Fixed resin 1
41 Fiber bundle for illumination 50 Fixed resin block 51 Fiber bundle for illumination 60 Imaging device 61 for side view Tubular substrate 6
63 Line sensor 63a Image sensor 0
63b Condensing lens 2
65 Illumination light source 0
65a Diffuser plate 67a Origin position sensor 67b Origin marker 71 Rotation drive device 71a Stator 71b Rotor 73 Line sensor 73a Ring rotor 73b Coil 76 Small motor 77a Pinion gear 77b Relay gear 77c Inner gear 81 Control unit 91 Processor 93 Display 101 Intestine 103 Inner wall surface 107 襞 107a Front side 107b Back side 200 Subject 652 Light guide plate 652a Exit window

Claims (10)

An insertion portion distal end portion having a fixing block and a mantle tube placed on the fixing block, and at the insertion portion distal end portion,
An imaging device for direct viewing, which is incorporated in the fixed block, and which captures an image by subject light incident from the distal end surface of the insertion portion;
A cylindrical rotating member that is disposed in a cylindrical space formed between the fixed block and the outer tube, and rotates in the cylindrical space;
An imaging means and an illuminating means provided along the longitudinal direction of the distal end portion of the insertion portion, provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical rotating member, and the imaging means and the illuminating means for attaching the cylindrical rotating member to the outer tube. An electronic endoscope comprising: a rotary drive member that rotates so as to circulate along a side, and a side-view imaging device in which the cylindrical rotary member is positioned in a distal direction from the drive member. The electronic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit is a line sensor, and a scanning direction of the line sensor and a rotation direction of the cylindrical rotating member are orthogonal to each other. The electronic endoscope according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: rotating the cylindrical rotating member by the rotation driving member in a state where the illuminating unit is turned on, and rotating the cylindrical rotating member by a predetermined angle. An electronic endoscope provided with a control unit that repeats a process of capturing an image from the imaging unit every time. 4. The electronic endoscope according to claim 3, further comprising a sensor that detects that a rotational position of the cylindrical rotating member is at an origin position between the cylindrical rotating member and the fixed block. Endoscope. 5. The electronic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein a region of the outer tube facing the imaging unit and the illuminating unit is formed of a transparent member. 6. 3. The electronic endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the illuminating means is an LED array provided in parallel with the line sensor, and illumination light emitted from each LED is placed on the front surface of the LED array. An electronic endoscope in which a deflecting optical member for deflecting to a scanning region is arranged. 3. The electronic endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the illuminating means includes a light guide plate provided in parallel with the line sensor, and a light source that is disposed on one end surface of the light guide plate and makes illumination light incident from the end surface. The light guide plate is provided with an emission surface along which the illumination light guided in the light guide plate is emitted toward the imaging region of the imaging means along the line sensor. 8. The electronic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the rotation driving member is a ring motor in which a stator is fixed to the fixed block, and the rotating member has a rear end portion that is the ring motor. Electronic endoscope fixed to the ring-shaped rotor. 8. The electronic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the rotation driving member includes a motor mounted in the fixed block, and a reduction gear train driven by the motor, and has a cylindrical shape. An electronic endoscope in which an inner gear is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the rotating member, and rotation of the motor is transmitted to the cylindrical rotating member via the reduction gear train and the inner gear. 5. The electronic endoscope according to claim 4, wherein the control means uses the image scanned by the imaging means when the sensor detects the origin position as an initial one horizontal direction image, each time the cylindrical member rotates a predetermined amount. An electronic endoscope for taking the next one horizontal image from the imaging means.

Images