Patent ID: 7470229
Filing Date: 2008-12-30
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An endoscope apparatus comprising: an insertion section to be inserted into a subject to be inspected; an image pickup device for taking an observation image of the subject; a video signal processing portion for processing the observation image; a display device for displaying at least the observation image; a light emitting device being a light source for illuminating the subject; a fluorescent member provided at a tip-end of the insertion section and emitting fluorescent light with light from the light emitting device as excitation light; a light guide provided in the insertion section and transmitting the light from the light emitting device to the fluorescent member; a light branching member for branching a part of the fluorescent light returned from the fluorescent member through the light guide; an optical sensor for detecting light from the light branching member; and a control portion for controlling the light emitting device according to a detection result of the optical sensor, wherein the control portion is for controlling the video signal processing portion according to the detection result of the optical sensor.