Patent ID: 7901352
Filing Date: 2011-03-08
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An endoscope apparatus comprising: an insertion section including a distal end; a power changing movable lens that makes observational magnification variable, the power changing movable lens being movably built in an objective optical system provided in the insertion section at a location adjacent to the distal end; an image pickup for converting an image input through the objective optical system into an electrical signal, the image pickup being located closer to an end of the insertion section opposed to the distal end than to the distal end; an optical element that receives light from the objective optical system along a viewing direction axis and redirects the received light along an axis perpendicular to the viewing direction axis to reach the image pickup; a linear transmission member formed of a multicoil spring that drives a driven portion of the linear transmission member that extends in the viewing direction along a first exterior side portion of the insertion section to move the power changing movable lens in a linear direction of movement, the multicoil spring being disposed from a drive section provided at a position other than the position of the insertion section including the distal end; a focus adjusting movable lens that achieves automatic focusing function, the focus adjusting movable lens being movably built in the objective optical system separately from the power changing movable lens; and an actuator that drives the focus adjusting movable lens, the actuator being arranged to engage with an outer surface of a supporting portion of the focus adjusting movable lens, the actuator extending in a longitudinal direction along a second exterior side portion of the insertion section that is opposed to the first exterior side portion.