Patent ID: 7346245
Filing Date: 2008-03-18
Classification: A61B,G02B

Abstract:
1. A switch-type imaging fiber apparatus used to observe a biological body by applying light to an observation target from a leading end of the apparatus and receiving resultant reflected light, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of imaging fibers; a moving means for fixing end surfaces of the plurality of imaging fibers at predetermined intervals and capable of causing rotational movement of the end surfaces; a light source device; and an objective lens system for focusing light emitted from the light source device so as to form an irradiation surface approximately the same in area as the end surface of one of the plurality of imaging fibers, wherein, as the moving means is driven to move the end surface of the imaging fiber, the light emitted from the light source device is switched to be made incident among the end surfaces of the plurality of imaging fibers and the moving means is formed into a rotary revolving disk in which the end surfaces of the plurality of imaging fibers are circumferentially arranged and rotated.