Patent Publication Number: US-6902529-B2

Title: Endoscope apparatus

Description:
This application claims benefit of Japanese Application Nos. 2000-108385 filed in Japan on Apr. 10, 2000 and 2001-38793 filed in Japan on Feb. 15, 2001, the contents of which are incorporated by this reference. This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/829,845, filed on Apr. 10, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,981, the contents of which are incorporated by this reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus for displaying an endoscope image on a monitor on a receiver side by wireless. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   In recent years, an endoscope apparatus has been widely used in a medical field as well as in an industrial field. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Sho 60-48011 discloses an endoscope apparatus which can display an image of an endoscope on a monitor located at a distant position by transmitting the image by wireless. 
   However, since frequencies used in wireless transmission cannot be switched in the prior art, it is inconvenient in the prior art to selectively use a plurality of endoscopes. 
   In addition, it is impossible in the prior art to cope with a case in which a plurality of endoscopes are simultaneously used. 
   OBJECT(S) AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope apparatus which selectively uses a plurality of endoscopes and can transmit an image such that radio waves do not interfer with each other when the endoscopes are simultaneously used. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a convenient endoscope apparatus which can easily perform endoscope inspection. 
   It is still another object of the present invention to provide a convenient medical system which can easily perform medical inspection. 
   An endoscope apparatus comprises: 
   first and second endoscopes having insertion units inserted into a body cavity and image pickup devices for picking up images of an observation portion; 
   first and second wireless transmitters which are arranged in the first and second endoscopes respectively to transmit pieces of image information picked by the first and second endoscopes respectively and which transmit image information signals corresponding to the pieces of image information at different transmission frequencies respectively; 
   first and second information display portions which are arranged in the first and second endoscopes respectively and which display pieces of frequency information of the transmission frequencies of the first and second wireless transmitters; 
   an information reading device which can read the pieces of frequency information of the first and second display portions; 
   a wireless receiver which can receive the image information signals respectively transmitted from the first and second wireless transmitters; 
   a reception frequency setting unit for tuning a reception frequency of the wireless receiver to the transmission frequencies of respective image information signals transmitted from the first and second wireless transmitters by the pieces of frequency information read by the information reading device; and 
   an image display device for processing the first or second image information signal received by the wireless receiver to display an image. In accordance with the endoscope apparatus, an information display portion of an endoscope used in endoscope inspection is read by the information reading device, thereby making it possible that the reception frequency of the wireless receiver is set so that the transmission frequency of the endoscope maybe received, and the endoscope apparatus can easily cope with even a case in which a plurality of endoscopes are selectively used. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIGS. 1  to  5  show a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein  FIG. 1  is a diagram of the entire configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to the first embodiment, 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of an endoscope, 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a receiver, 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram showing a bar code reader device of a modified embodiment, and 
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart for explaining an operation; 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  show a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein  FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of an endoscope according to the second embodiment, 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a receiver; 
       FIGS. 8  to  9 B show a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein  FIG. 8  is a diagram showing the entire configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to the third embodiment, and 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  are diagrams showing the side surface and the front surface of a repeating unit respectively; 
       FIG. 10  is a diagram showing the entire configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  show a fifth embodiment of the present invention, wherein  FIG. 11  is a diagram showing the entire configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to the fifth embodiment, and 
       FIG. 12  is a diagram showing a movable reflection unit; 
       FIG. 13  is a diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasonic coagulation cutting system; 
       FIGS. 14  to  19  show a sixth embodiment of the present invention, wherein  FIG. 14  is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a receiver according to the sixth embodiment, 
       FIG. 15  is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a receiver unit and the like, 
       FIG. 16  is a diagram showing a configuration of a switching means SW, 
       FIG. 17  is a flow chart of an operation in this embodiment, 
       FIGS. 18A  to  18 F are diagrams showing message display contents or displayed images on a monitor respectively, and 
       FIG. 19  is a block diagram showing a part of the internal configuration of a receiver in a modified embodiment; 
       FIGS. 20  to  22  show a seventh embodiment of the present invention, wherein  FIG. 20  is a block diagram showing the configuration of a receiver according to the seventh embodiment, 
       FIG. 21  is a flow chart for explaining an operation, and 
       FIG. 22  is a flow chart for explaining an operation in a modified embodiment; 
       FIGS. 23 and 24  show an eighth embodiment of the present invention, wherein  FIG. 23  is a flow chart for explaining an operation in the eighth embodiment, and 
       FIG. 24  is a diagram showing an example of the display of a message; 
       FIGS. 25 and 26  show a ninth embodiment of the present invention, wherein  FIG. 25  is a block diagram showing the configuration of a part of a receiver in the ninth embodiment, and 
       FIG. 26  is a flow chart for explaining an operation; 
       FIGS. 27  to  29  show a tenth embodiment of the present invention, wherein  FIG. 27  is a diagram showing the entire configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to the tenth embodiment, 
       FIG. 28  is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a major part in  FIG. 27 , and 
       FIG. 29  is a flow chart for explaining an operation, 
       FIGS. 30 and 31  show an the eleventh embodiment of the present invention, wherein  FIG. 30  is a diagram showing the entire configuration of a microscope apparatus used for operation in the eleventh embodiment, and 
       FIG. 31  is a block diagram showing the configuration of a wireless transmitter. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   [First Embodiment] 
   The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 1  to  5 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , an endoscope apparatus  1  according to the first embodiment of the present invention is composed of, for example, two endoscopes  2 A and  2 B having built-in image pickup elements respectively, a receiver (image receiver)  5  for receiving a signal transmitted from one of antennas  3   a  and  3   b  mounted respectively to the endoscopes  2 A and  2 B by an antenna  4  to generate a video signal, a monitor  6  for displaying the video signal generated by the receiver  5 , a VTR  7  for recording the video signal, and a bar code reader  9  connected the receiver  5  for reading bar codes  8   a  and  8   b  respectively provided to the endoscopes  2 A and  2 B. 
   The endoscopes  2 A and  2 B have elongate insertion units  11   a  and  11   b  and operation units  12   a  and  12   b  respectively provided at the rear ends of the insertion units  11   a  and  11   b  and gripped and operated by an operator. For example, transmission antennas  3   a  and  3   b  are provided respectively at the rear ends of the operation units  12   a  and  12   b . For example, the bar codes  8   a  and  8   b  with pieces of bar code information to which pieces of information of wireless frequencies (transmission frequencies) to be transmitted are converted are provided to the outer surfaces of the operation units  12   a  and  12   b  respectively. 
   In the endoscopes  2 A and  2 B, frequencies used in transmission are set to be of different values respectively, and the values are written in the bar codes  8   a  and  8   b . The bar codes  8   a  and  8   b  are read with the bar code reader  9 , so that the pieces of information of the frequencies can be identified. 
     FIG. 2  shows the internal configuration of the endoscope  2 A. The endoscope  2 A is composed of the insertion unit  11   a  and the operation unit  12   a , and the insertion unit  11   a  consists of metal or flexible material. The insertion unit  11   a  has an inside which is partitioned into two portions C and D. One of two portions is an image pickup side C, and the other is a light source side D. 
   The image pickup side C of the insertion unit  11   a  comprises an image pickup lens  21  arranged at the distal end thereof. The image pickup side C is designed such that an optical image entering through the image pickup lens  21  is received by an image pickup element  22  such as CCD, and an electric signal obtained by subjecting the optical image to photoelectric conversion is transmitted to an electric circuit in the operation unit  12   a  through a signal lead  23 . The light source side D of the insertion unit  11   a  comprises an illumination lens  24  arranged at the distal end thereof. The light source side D is designed such that light is irradiated from a light source unit  25  arranged behind the illumination lens  24  to a portion to be observed. 
   The light source unit  25  is constituted by an LED or a lamp, and is connected to a light source drive circuit  27  in the operation unit  12   a  through a lead wire  26 . In addition, a signal conversion circuit  28 , a modulation circuit  29 , and a transmission circuit  30  are arranged in the operation unit  12   a . The electric signal from the image pickup element  22  is converted to a video signal by the signal conversion circuit  28 . Then, the video signal is modulated by the modulation circuit  29  and transmitted to the transmission circuit  30 , so that the signal may be transmitted as a radio wave  31  from the antenna  3   a.    
   A compact monitor unit  32  such as a liquid crystal monitor is connected to the signal conversion circuit  28 , and an operation panel  33  is connected to the monitor unit  32 . The operation panel  33  comprises an input device such as a keyboard, a button for shutter release, a freeze button for operating a frame memory of the receiver to display a still image, and the like. 
   The light source drive circuit  27 , the signal conversion circuit  28 , the modulation circuit  29 , the transmission circuit  30  and the monitor unit  32  are connected to an internal power supply  34  such as a battery and provided with an operation power thereto. The monitor unit  32  is not necessarily disposed, and these circuits may also be driven by using an external power supply in place of the internal power supply  34 . 
   In the endoscope  2 A constituted as described above, the insertion unit  11   a  is inserted into a cavity or a hollow part of a living body, and light irradiated from the light source unit  25  is reflected on the portion to be observed, whereupon the light is received by the image pickup element  22 . In the signal conversion circuit  28 , the image of the light received by the image pickup element  22  is modulated to a high-frequency signal, and the modulated high-frequency signal is amplified by the transmission circuit  30  to be transmitted from the antenna  3   a.    
   The endoscope  2 B has the same structure as described above. However, the transmission frequencies of the endoscopes  2 A and  2 B are set to be different from each other, and the pieces of information thereof are expressed as the bar codes  8   a  and  8   b . More specifically, respective endoscopes  2 A and  2 B comprise frequency information holding means so that they may have the pieces of information of frequencies used in the transmission. The receiver  5  (to be described later) has an information reading means for reading frequency information of the frequency information holding means. A reception frequency is set by the information read by the information reading means, so that the receiver  5  can easily receive images from the endoscopes  2 A and  2 B respectively. 
     FIG. 3  shows the internal configuration of the receiver  5 . 
   In the receiver  5 , when the radio wave  31  is incident on the antenna  4 , the radio wave  31  is selectively amplified by a reception circuit  41  and converted to a video signal by a demodulation circuit  42 . The video signal is supplied to a video process circuit  43 , so that an endoscope image picked up by the image pickup element  22  is displayed on the monitor  6 . An operation panel  44  is connected to the video process circuit  43 , so that the same operation as that of the operation panel  33  of the endoscope  2 A (or  2 B) can be performed. 
   The bar code reader  9  serving as information reading means is connected to a CPU  46  through a bar code reader interface (to be referred to simply as a bar code reader I/F)  45  arranged in the receiver  5 , and the CPU  46  controls a reception frequency of a (reception frequency) station selection unit  47  of the receiving circuit  41  with the information of a frequency read by the bar code reader  9 , to set it to the frequency read by the bar code reader  9 . 
   It is also displayed on the monitor  6  through the video process circuit  43  that the above setting is performed (for example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , a (reception) frequency Fa is displayed outside a display area for an endoscope image). 
   The receiving circuit  41  in the receiver  5  comprises the station selection unit  47  which can select at least the transmission frequency of the endoscope  2 A and the transmission frequency of the endoscope  2 B. 
   Although, in this embodiment, the bar code reader  9  is connected to the receiver  5 , an arrangement of a bar code reader device  51  which can be separate as shown in  FIG. 4  may be used. 
   The bar code reader device  51  is composed of the bar code reader  9 , a main body  52 , a monitor  53 , and a set of speakers  54 . The bar code reader  9  reads the bar code  8   a  of the endoscope  2 A to recognize a frequency used by the endoscope  2 A in the main body  52 . Then, the recognized frequency information is transmitted to the CPU  46  in the receiver  5  through a cable (not shown) connected to the main body  52 . 
   In order to confirm that the bar code reader  9  has correctly read the bar code  8   a , visual notification can be performed with the monitor  53 , or auditory notification can be performed with the set of speakers  54 . 
   The monitor  53  and the set of speakers  54  are not necessarily provided. Similarly, the bar code  8   b  of the endoscope  2 B is read and recognized. Thus, frequencies as many as used are recognized. 
     FIG. 5  is a flow chart showing the contents of operation in this embodiment. 
   When a power supply is turned on to start an operation, a bar code is read as shown in step S 1 . More specifically, the bar code  8   a  of the endoscope (e.g.,  2 A) to be used is read with the bar code reader  9 . 
   When this reading operation is performed, a frequency setting in step S 2  is performed. More specifically, frequency information read by the bar code reader  9  is transmitted to the CPU  46  shown in  FIG. 3 , and the CPU  46  sets the reception frequency of the station selection unit  47  of the receiving circuit  41  to the frequency thus read. 
   Then, image transmission in step S 3  is performed. More specifically, a signal obtained by an image pickup operation performed by the endoscope  2 A is converted through the transmission circuit  30  to a signal which can be transmitted with a radio wave, and the signal is transmitted from the antenna  3   a , whereupon, the receiver  5  sets the frequency of the station selection unit  47  to a reception frequency equal to the transmitted frequency. The transmitted radio wave  31  is received by the antenna  4 , converted to a video signal by the video process circuit  43 , and displayed on the monitor  6 . That is to say, the transmitted image information is transmitted to the receiver  5  side and displayed on the monitor  6 . 
   It is decided in the next step S 4  whether the next bar code is read or not. If the next bar code is not read, the image transmission is continuously performed in the previous state. If the next bar code is read, the frequency of the read bar code is held in step S 5 . 
   For example, when the bar code  8   b  of the next endoscope  2 B is read by the bar code reader  9 , the frequency information is held in an internal register or the like of the CPU  46 . When YES is input to the decision of image switching in the next step S 6 , the CPU  46  changes the reception frequency of the station selection unit  47  by the information held in the register or the like thereof, so that a change in frequency in step S 7  is performed. That is to say, the reception frequency of the station selection unit  47  in the receiver  5  is changed to the frequency in step S 5 . 
   In this manner, image transmission in step S 8  is performed in a state in which the endoscope  2 B is used at the frequency. Thereafter, the flow returns to step S 4 . 
   On the other hand, it is decided in step S 6  whether image switching is performed or not. If NO in step S 6 , the data held in the CPU  46  is wasted, so that the flow returns to step S 3  to maintain the previous image transmission. 
   According to the embodiment which operates as described above, by using the plurality of endoscopes  2 A and  2 B, the reception frequency of the receiver  5  can be freely changed and set to the transmission frequency of the endoscope  2 A or  2 B read by the bar code reader  9 . The image of arbitrary one of the endoscopes  2 A and  2 B can be displayed on the monitor  6 . 
   More specifically, even though the plurality of endoscopes  2 A and  2 B are simultaneously used, the image of arbitrary one of the endoscopes  2 A and  2 B can be advantageously displayed on the monitor  6  without interfering of the respective radio waves with each other. 
   The reception frequency can be simply and rapidly set in comparison with a manual setting, so that any operation can be rapidly performed. In addition, the operation can also be advantageously performed without erroneously setting the reception frequency. That is to say, the convenience in using the apparatus can be improved. 
   Although the bar codes  8   a  and  8   b  are provided to the endoscopes  2 A and  2 B in the above description, other frequency information holding means may be used. 
   In addition, in the above description, electronic endoscopes each of which arranges an image pickup element at the distal end of an insertion unit have been described as the plurality of endoscopes. However, the embodiment is not limited to such configuration, and, for example, the embodiment can be applied to a television camera mounted type endoscope obtained by mounting a television camera having a built-in image pickup element to an optical endoscope. In this case, a bar code may be provided to the television camera.  FIG. 27  shows such an endoscope  152 B as described above. 
   [Second Embodiment] 
   The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . In this embodiment, a plurality of transmission frequencies are set in advance such that transmission to the plurality of endoscopes is performed at the transmission frequencies. A radio wave transmitted by another endoscope is monitored, and transmission is performed at a frequency different from a frequency in use, so that interference which may occur when equal frequencies are used can be prevented. 
     FIG. 6  shows the internal constitution of one endoscope  2 A′ in the second embodiment. 
   This endoscope  2 A′ comprises, in addition to the components of the endoscope  2 A shown in  FIG. 2 , a second antenna  61  and a transmission (frequency) control circuit  62  which receives a radio wave of another endoscope (referred to as  2 B′) by this antenna  61  and changes and controls an oscillation frequency (carrier frequency) of a modulation circuit  29  to transmit the oscillation frequency. 
   The endoscope  2 A′ can perform transmission at a plurality of frequencies together with the other endoscope  2 B′. The endoscope  2 A′ receives the transmission frequency of the other endoscope through the antenna  61  so as to perform transmission at a frequency different from the transmission frequency of the other endoscope. 
   The remaining constitution of the endoscope  2 A′ is the same as that of the endoscope  2 A in the first embodiment. The same reference numerals as in the endoscope  2 A denote the same parts in the endoscope  2 A′, and a description thereof will be omitted.  FIG. 7  shows the internal configuration of a receiver  5 ′. 
   The receiver  5 ′ has a structure in which the bar code reader I/F  45  and the CPU  46  are removed from the receiver  5  shown in FIG.  3 . The receiver  5 ′ is designed such that a setting of a reception frequency of a station selection unit  47  of a reception circuit  41  can be operated from an operation panel  44 . The remaining constitution of the receiver  5 ′ is the same as that of the receiver  5 . The same reference numerals as in the receiver  5  denote the same parts in the receiver  5 ′, and a description thereof will be omitted. 
   The function of this embodiment will be described below. 
   In the endoscope apparatus constituted as described above, an insertion unit  11   a  is inserted into a cavity or a hollow part of a living body, and light irradiated from a light source unit  25  is reflected on a portion to be observed, whereupon, the light is received by an image pickup element  22 . In a signal conversion circuit  28 , the image of the light received by the image pickup element  22  is modulated to a high-frequency signal, and the modulated high-frequency signal is amplified by a transmission circuit  30  to be transmitted from an antenna  3   a.    
   This endoscope  2 A′ also receives a radio wave from the other endoscope  2 B′ through the antenna  61 , so that the transmission frequency thereof is monitored by the transmission control circuit  62 . An oscillation frequency (i.e., transmission frequency) for modulation in a modulation circuit  29  is controlled so that a frequency different from the frequency used in the endoscope  2 B′ may be used. 
   For example, when the transmission frequency of the endoscope  2 B′ is represented by Fb, the oscillation frequency is set to be, e.g., a transmission frequency Fa different from the transmission frequency Fb. 
   Therefore, even though the plurality of endoscopes  2 A′ and  2 B′ are used, the endoscopes use transmission frequencies which are different from each other. For this reason, transmission can be performed without interference between radio waves. 
   On the other hand, in the receiver  5 ′, when a radio wave  31  is incident on the antenna  4 , the radio wave  31  is selectively amplified by the receiving circuit  41 , converted to a video signal by a demodulation circuit  42 , and displayed on a monitor  6  through a video process circuit  43 . 
   In this case, the frequency of the station selection unit  47  is selected from the operation panel  44 , so that the signal of the endoscope  2 A′ or  2 B′ can be selected. Thus, the endoscope image of the selected frequency can be displayed on the monitor  6 . 
   Also in this embodiment, even though the plurality of endoscopes  2 A′ and  2 B′ are used, the transmission frequencies different from each other are used. For this reason, transmission can be performed without interference between radio waves, and an image of any one of the endoscopes  2 A′ and  2 B′can be freely received on the receiver  5 ′ side and displayed on the monitor  6 . In addition, transmissions can be prevented from being performed at equal frequencies without fail, and the process of setting transmission frequencies can be omitted. 
   [Third Embodiment] 
   The third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 . This embodiment is an endoscope apparatus using optical communication. 
   In an endoscope apparatus  65  using optical communication shown in  FIG. 8 , endoscope peripheral devices are mounted on a cart  67  arranged beside an operation bed  66  in which a patient lies. On a ceiling  68 , a repeating unit  69  for optical communication is arranged. 
   On the cart  67 , an endoscope camera device  70 , a VTR  71 , a monitor  72 , and an optical communication receiver  73  are mounted. 
   An endoscope  74  for performing endoscope inspection for the patient is composed of an insertion unit  75  and a main body (operation unit)  76 . An optical communication transmission device  77 , a light source, an image pickup device, and a battery (which are not shown) are arranged at, e.g., the rear end of the main body  76 . The endoscope  74  is held by an endoscope holder  78 . 
   The insertion unit  75  of the endoscope  74  is inserted into a body cavity of the patient, and the image of a tissue illuminated with the light source can be obtained by the image pickup device. The image is emitted by the optical communication transmission device  77 . The emitted light is received by the optical communication receiver  73  through the repeating unit  69 . 
   The received signal is transmitted to the endoscope camera device  70  to be converted to an image signal. The image signal can also be recorded by the VTR  71  and can also be displayed on the monitor  72 . An operation using a gas insufflator  79  or a high-frequency operating power supply  80  can also be performed. 
     FIG. 9  shows the repeating unit  69 .  FIG. 9A  is a side view, and  FIG. 9B  is a front view. 
   The repeating unit  69  is integrated with an astral lamp  81  disposed on the ceiling  68 . An illumination device  82  is formed in the astral lamp  81 . A ring-like reflection plate  83  for reflecting an optical signal is arranged around the illumination device  82  to constitute the repeating unit  69 . 
   According to this embodiment, when optical communication is performed from the optical communication transmission device  77  to the optical communication receiver  73 , even if an operator is an obstruction to the optical communication, a communication path which is not adversely affected by the obstruction can be assured by the repeating unit  69  arranged above, thereby to perform optical communication. 
   In case the signal received by the optical communication device  73  is weak, the strength of the signal received by the optical communication device  73  may be increased by changing the inclination or the like of the repeating unit  69 . 
   [Fourth Embodiment] 
   The fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.  10 . This embodiment also shows an endoscope apparatus using optical communication. 
   As shown in  FIG. 10 , endoscope peripheral devices are mounted on a cart  85  arranged beside an operation bed  84  in which a patient lies. On the surface of a wall  86 , a plurality of reflection units  87  for optical communication are arranged. 
   On the cart  85 , an endoscope camera device  88 , a VTR  89 , a monitor  90 , and an optical communication receiver  91  are mounted. 
   An endoscope  92  is composed of an insertion unit  93  and a main body  94 . An optical communication transmission device  95 , a light source, an image pickup device, and a battery (which are not shown) are provided to the main body  94 . 
   The insertion unit  93  of the endoscope  92  is inserted into a body cavity of the patient, and an image of a tissue illuminated with the light source can be obtained by the image pickup device. The image is emitted in a plurality of directions by the optical communication transmission device  95 . The emitted light arrives at the optical communication receiver  91  directly or by way of the reflection units  87  arranged on the wall. 
   According to this embodiment, the reflection units  87  are arranged such that the transmission means using optical communication can transmit an optical signal in a plurality of directions and the reception means using optical communication can receive the optical signal from a plurality of directions. Hence, even if one communication path is obstructed, optical communication can be performed by way of other communication paths. 
   Therefore, an operator and the like can move without regard to the positions of the transmission means and the reception means. 
   [Fifth Embodiment] 
   The fifth embodiment will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 11 and 12 . This embodiment also shows an endoscope apparatus using optical communication. 
   An endoscope apparatus  65 ′ using optical communication shown in  FIG. 11  has an arrangement in which, in the endoscope apparatus  65  in  FIG. 8 , a movable reflection unit (movable repeating unit)  69 ′ is arranged on a ceiling  68 . 
   In an endoscope  74 , an optical communication transmission device  77  described above, a light source, an image pickup device, a battery (which are not shown), and a position notification means which notifies the movable reflection unit  69 ′ of a position are arranged at the rear end of a main body  76  thereof. 
     FIG. 12  shows the constitution of the movable reflection unit  69 ′. 
   In the movable reflection unit  69 ′, a reflection plate  96 , a position detection device  97 , and a reflection plate drive device  98  are provided. The position detection device  97  receives a signal from the position notification means provided to in the endoscope  74  to command the reflection plate drive device  98  to drive the reflection plate  96  so as to always oppose the endoscope  74 . 
   The remaining constitution configuration in  FIG. 12  is the same as that shown in FIG.  8 . 
   The function of this embodiment will be described below. The embodiment has the following function, in addition to the function in FIG.  8 . 
   That is to say, an operator or the like maybe an obstruction in optical communication in the apparatus in FIG.  8 . On such occasion, the influence due to the obstruction is avoided by the communication paths obtained by the repeating unit  69 . However, when the endoscope  74  to which the optical communication transmission device  77  is provided is moved, the communication paths obtained by the repeating unit  69  as well as the state of the reflection surface of the repeating unit  69  may become improper. 
   This embodiment can cope with such occasion. For example, when the endoscope  74  moves from a position indicated by a solid line to a position indicated by a dotted line in the direction indicated by an arrow, the reflection plate  96  is designed such that it also can be moved to the position indicated by the dotted line. In this manner, the state of the movable reflection unit  69 , is movably adjusted such that the state of the reflection surface thereof is appropriate. 
   Thus, according to this embodiment, if the endoscope  74  is moved to move the position, and the state of the movable reflection unit  69 ′ before the endoscope  74  is moved is changed such that the state of the communication path is not appropriate, the posture of the reflection plate  96  is changed as indicated by the dotted line by a position signal from the optical communication transmission device  77 , so that the state of the movable reflection unit  69 ′ is set such that the state of the communication path is appropriate. 
   Therefore, according to this embodiment, even if the endoscope is moved, the apparatus can be maintained such that optical communication can be always performed. 
   In case the astral lamp is constituted by a large number of lamps, it is also possible that reflection units or repeating units are arranged for the respective lamps. In this manner, if one reflection unit may be arranged to cut the optical communication, optical communication may be able to be performed by the remaining components without any trouble. 
   An ultrasonic coagulation cutting system  101  shown in  FIG. 13  has an ultrasonic coagulation cutting device  102 , and the ultrasonic coagulation cutting device  102  is composed of a main body  103  and an insertion unit  104 . 
   The main body  103  is connected to a control device  105 . To the main body  103 , a reception circuit  106  for receiving drive energy through the control device  105  is connected. 
   On the other hand, an energy transmitter  107  for transmitting drive energy comprises by a drive circuit body  108  and a transmission circuit  109 . 
   The drive energy generated by the drive circuit body  108  is converted to transmission energy by the transmission circuit  109 , and the transmission energy from a transmission antenna  110  is received by the reception circuit  106  of the ultrasonic coagulation cutting device  102 . The transmission energy is converted to drive energy again, and the drive energy is transmitted to an operating unit  111  arranged at the distal end of the insertion unit  104 , so that a part affected (not shown) can be coagulated and cut with ultrasonic energy. 
   At this time, the strength of the ultrasonic energy can be controlled by the control device  105  connected to the main body  103 . 
   In the ultrasonic coagulation cutting system  101 , the transmission antenna  110  and a reception antenna (not shown) arranged in the reception circuit  106  are constituted by a plurality of antennas, and are designed such that transmission and reception can be performed at different frequencies respectively. 
   Signals generated from the respective transmission antennas  110  are received by the respective reception antennas which are suitable for reception of the signals of the frequencies, and the received signals are gathered, so that drive energy of a large power can be obtained as a whole. 
   [Sixth Embodiment] 
   The sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 14  to  19 . Only different parts between the first embodiment and the sixth embodiment will be described below. 
     FIG. 14  shows the internal constitution of a receiver  115  in the sixth embodiment. In the receiver  115 , when a radio wave  31  is incident on an antenna  4 , a signal excited at the antenna  4  is selectively amplified by a reception unit  114 , converted to a video signal by a demodulation unit  112 , and converted to video signal through a video process unit  113 . An endoscope image picked up by an image pickup element  22  (see  FIG. 2 ) is displayed on a monitor  6 . 
   The reception unit  114 , the demodulation unit  112 , and the video process unit  113  have two lines of reception circuits  114   a  and  114   b , two lines of demodulation circuits  115   a  and  115   b , and two lines of video process circuits  116   a  and  116   b , respectively. Outputs from the video process circuits  116   a  and  116   b  are output to the monitor  6  through an image selection circuit  117 . The reception unit  114 , the demodulation unit  112 , and the video process unit  113  are controlled by a CPU  46 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 15 , the reception circuit  114   a  comprises by a selective amplification circuit  121   a  for perform station selection and selective amplification and a switch  122   a  for selecting a station selection frequency by the station selection unit. The reception circuit  114   b  has the same constitution as that of the reception circuit  114   a.    
   The demodulation circuit  115   a  to which an output signal from the selective amplification circuit  121   a  is input comprises a video circuit (television signal generation circuit)  123   a  for performing video signal detection or the like to generate a color television signal, and a switch  124   a  for selecting a characteristic thereof. The demodulation circuit  115   b  has the same constitution as that of the demodulation circuit  115   a.    
   The video process circuit  116   a  to which an output signal from the demodulation circuit  115   a  is input comprises a video processing circuit  125   a  for performing a video process such as color signal reproduction and a switch  126   a  for switching the characteristics of color reproduction or the like of the video processing circuit  125   a . The video process circuit  116   b  has the same constitution as that of the video process circuit  116   a.    
   Output signals from the video process circuits  116   a  and  116   b  are input to the image selection circuit  117  and a picture in picture circuit (to be simply referred to as P in P)  127  for displaying two images in a picture-in-picture manner. 
   Output signals from the video process circuits  116   a  and  116   b  are input to a selection switch  129  together with output signals from the P in P  127 . When a contact point a or b is selected, one image is output to the monitor  6 . However, when a contact point c is selected, a picture-in-picture image, for example, for simultaneously displaying two images adjacent to each other is displayed. 
   The switches  122   a ,  124   a ,  126   a , and  129  can be controlled by the CPU  46 . The constitution of switches  122   a ,  124   a , and  126   a  is shown in FIG.  16 . In  FIG. 16 , the switch  122   a  or the like is constituted by, e.g., three switches SWa to SWc. The ON and OFF states of the switches are controlled by the CPU  46 . 
   The selection switch  129  is designed such that an arbitrary contact point can be selected by the operation from the operation panel  44 . 
   The CPU  46  controls the ON and OFF states of the switch  122   a  or the like, thereby to perform an operation such as station selection corresponding to information read from a bar code reader  9 . As will be described later, when images obtained by two endoscopes are used at the same time, the CPU  46  controls the selection switch  129  so as to select the contact point c. When only one endoscope is used, the contact point a is selected. 
   The remaining constitution is the same as that in the first embodiment. 
   As is apparent from the above constitution, in this embodiment, since the two lines of reception circuits  114   a  and  114   b  or the like having two transmission frequencies different from each other are arranged, not only one image can be displayed on the monitor  6  but also two images can be displayed on the monitor  6  at the same time. 
   The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flow chart in FIG.  17 . 
   A case in which two endoscopes  2 A and  2 B are used will be described below. For example, video image transmission is performed by the endoscope  2 A as shown in step S 11 . Then, the bar code  8   a  provided to the endoscope  2 A is read by the bar code reader  9  as shown in step S 12 , and the information of the bar code is transmitted to the CPU  46  through a bar code reader I/F  45 . 
   In the next step S 13 , identification of transmission frequencies is performed on the basis of the information of the bar code  8   a . Instep S 14 , it is decided whether the transmission frequency identified by the CPU  46  is the same as a frequency already been used or not. In this case, since the first endoscope  2 A is used, it is decided that the frequency is not the same as the frequency already used, and the flow shifts to step S 15 . 
   In step S 15 , the CPU  46  controls a station selection operation for the reception circuit  114   a  through the switch  122   a , and performs the process of setting a frequency such that the transmission frequency described in the bar code  8   a  can be received. 
   While the process of setting a frequency is performed, a display as shown in  FIG. 18A  representing that the frequency is being set is performed on the monitor  6 . 
   An output signal from the reception circuit  114   a  is subjected to a video process for generating a color television signal from the demodulation circuit  115   a  (step S 16 ), and is subjected to a color signal reproducing process by the video process circuit  116   a  and is output to the monitor  6 . Thus, an image picked up by the endoscope  2 A is displayed on the monitor  6  as shown in, e.g., FIG.  18 D. In  FIG. 18D , reference symbol A simply represents the image picked up by the endoscope  2 A. 
   Thereafter, as indicated in step S 18 , the CPU  46  decides whether there is an additional bar code or not. When it is selected that the second endoscope  2 B is not used, the flow returns to step S 17 , thereby to hold the previous display contents. 
   On the other hand, when it is selected that the second endoscope  2 B is used, the flow returns to step S 12 , so as to read the bar code  8   b  of the second endoscope  2 B with the bar code reader  9 . Then, the CPU  46  receives the information, identifies transmission frequencies on the basis of the information (step S 13 ), and decides whether a frequency is the same as the transmission frequency already used. If it is decided that the transmission frequencies are not the same, the flow shifts to step S 15 . 
   On the other hand, when a second endoscope having a bar code on which the information of the same frequency as the frequency already used is recorded is to be used, an error message as shown in  FIG. 18B  is displayed on the monitor  6  (step S 19 ), and the flow returns to step S 12 . 
   In step S 15 , the frequency of the other reception circuit  114   b  is set. In this case, an image A in which a message as shown in, e.g.,  FIG. 18C  is displayed is displayed on the monitor  6 . 
   Thereafter, a video process or the like is performed in step S 16 , so that two images A and B are simultaneously displayed on the monitor  6  as shown in FIG.  18 E. More specifically, in this case, the CPU  46  outputs the image passing through the P in P  127  onto the monitor  6 , controls the selection switch  129  so as to display the two images A and B as shown in  FIG. 18E , and turns on the contact point C. 
   As needed, an operator can also display a P in P image as shown in  FIG. 18F  by operating the operation panel  44 . In  FIG. 18F , an image B is displayed in a small size in a part of an image A. In contrast to the displaying shown in  FIG. 18F , it is also possible to select a screen such that the image A is displayed in a small size in a part of the image B (not shown). 
   As a modification of the constitution shown in  FIG. 14 , a system in which reception lines can be switched with a switch  200  as shown in  FIG. 19  may be used. 
   More specifically, reception process lines  201  and  202  are connected respectively to a switch SWa and a switch SWb of the switch  200  connected to the antenna  4  or the like, and output signals from the reception process lines  201  and  202  are input to the image selection circuit  117 . The reception process line  201  comprises the reception circuit  114   a , the demodulation circuit  115   a , and the video process circuit  116   a . The reception process line  202  has the same constitution as that of the reception process line  201 . 
   The CPU  46  controls the ON and OFF state of the switch SWa and the switch SWb of the switch circuit  200 . The CPU  46  also controls the image selection circuit  117 . A reception process line (not shown) may be additionally connected to the switch SWc of the switch circuit  200 . 
   Although a case using an endoscope has been described in this embodiment, another apparatus such as a medical microscope which treats a video signal may be used. The video image transmission method has been described in an analog wireless system. However, the video image transmission method may be described in an SS wireless system or a wireless LAN system in which a video image is digitized. 
   This embodiment has the following advantages. 
   A plurality of endoscopes can be simultaneously used. Also, a plurality of images can be simultaneously displayed. 
   Even if, endoscopes having bar codes in which the same frequency has been written exist and are to be simultaneously used, interference can be prevented. 
   It is also possible that two monitors are prepared and respectively connected to the contact points a and b of the selection switch  129  so that two images are independently displayed. 
   [Seventh Embodiment] 
   The seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 20  to  22 . 
   In a receiver  135  in the seventh embodiment shown in  FIG. 20 , a reception wave identification circuit  131  for receiving an excited signal through the antenna  4  to identity (detect) a reception frequency is added in the receiver  115  shown in FIG.  14 , so that information identified by the reception wave identification circuit  131  is output to the CPU  46 . 
   The CPU  46 , as will be described later, decides whether the information identified by the reception wave identification circuit  131  coincides with the information of a transmission frequency of a bar code read by a bar code reader  9  or not, and changes processes on the basis of the decision result. The other constitution of the seventh embodiment is the same as that of the sixth embodiment. 
   The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.  21 . The steps S 11  to S 13  are the same as those described in FIG.  17 . The transmission frequency of the bar code is identified in step S 13 . 
   By the reception wave identification circuit  131 , a reception frequency is detected as shown in step S 21 , and the result thereof is transmitted to the CPU  46 . As shown in step S 22 , the CPU  46  decides whether the transmission frequency identified by the bar code  8   a  in step S 13  is the same as the reception frequency detected by the reception wave identification circuit  131  or not. 
   If it is decided that these frequencies are the same, the flow shifts to step S 14  to perform the same process as that in FIG.  17 . 
   On the other hand, if it is decided that these frequencies are not the same, the flow returns to step S 12 , to repeat, the same processes again. 
   This embodiment has the following advantages. 
   When a transmission frequency which is not supposed is received, an erroneous image can be advantageously prevented from being displayed on the monitor  6  without setting a frequency. 
     FIG. 22  shows the operation of a modification. 
   The flow chart shown in  FIG. 22  is different from the flow chart shown in  FIG. 21  in a process when, as a result of the decision in step S 22  in  FIG. 21 , it is decided that the frequencies are not the same. 
   When it is decided that both the frequencies are not the same, the flow shifts to step S 23 , so that a reception frequency is set by using a transmission frequency identified by the bar code  8   a  (or  8   b ). Thereafter, the flow shifts to step S 16 , to perform the same processes as those in  FIG. 21  or  17 . 
   More specifically, in this modification, if the frequency detected by the reception wave identification circuit  131  is different from the frequency detected by the bar code  8   a  or the like, receiving operation is performed at the frequency detected by the bar code  8   a  or the like, and an image is displayed. 
   According to this modification, even if a radio wave which has a frequency different from the frequency transmitted by the endoscope and which is obtained by another device or the like is received, an image obtained by the endoscope can be displayed without being adversely affected thereby. 
   [Eighth Embodiment] 
   The eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 23 and 24 . 
   This embodiment has the same constitution as that of the sixth embodiment except for some operations. More specifically, in the sixth embodiment, after a video image is transmitted by the endoscope, a frequency is set on the receiver side. However, in the eighth embodiment, a frequency is set first, and thereafter a video image is transmitted by the endoscope. 
   The operation performed in this case will be described below with reference to FIG.  23 . 
   When the operation is started, while the process in step S 11  in  FIG. 17  is being omitted, the bar code reading process in step S 12  is performed. The process of identifying a transmission frequency in step S 13  and the process of deciding whether the frequencies are the same in step S 14  are performed. 
   If the frequencies are not the same, the flow shifts to step S 15 , so that a frequency is set. Then, a message representing that the setting of the frequency is completed is displayed on the monitor  6  as shown in  FIG. 24  to notify an operator that the endoscope can be used. 
   Thereafter, video transmission is started in step S 31 . More specifically, the power supply of the endoscope  2 A or the like is turned on to start the transmission. Then, a signal of the transmission frequency is received on the receiver  135  side, so that a video process in step S 16  is performed. Thereafter, the same processes as in  FIG. 17  are performed. 
   This embodiment has the following advantages. 
   Since no endoscope image is displayed on the monitor  6  until a frequency is set, an unexpected image can be advantageously prevented from being displayed, and a display of the image can be advantageously prevented from being disturbed by a noisy radio wave or the like. 
   [Ninth Embodiment] 
   The ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 25 and 26 . 
   A receiver  141  in this embodiment comprises, in addition to the components, for example, in the seventh embodiment shown in  FIG. 20 , high-frequency amplification units  142   a  and  142   b.    
   More specifically, a signal excited at an antenna  4  is input to a reception wave identification circuit  131 , so that the reception frequency of the signal is identified, and the information of the reception frequency is transmitted to the CPU  46 . 
   The signal excited at the antenna  4  is also input to the high-frequency amplification circuit  144   a  through a switch  143   a  in the high-frequency amplification unit  142   a  or through this high-frequency amplification circuit  144   a  and also through a switch  145   a  to the reception circuit  114   a . The high-frequency amplification unit  142   b  has the same constitution as that of the high-frequency amplification unit  142   a.    
   The switches  145   a  and  145   b  are switched in conjunction with each other by the CPU  46 . The high-frequency amplification circuit  144   a  has a variable resonance circuit  146   a , e.g., on the input side thereof. In the variable resonance circuit  146   a , a variable capacity diode  147   a  (the capacity of which is changed by an applied voltage) is arranged, e.g., in parallel to a coil. This variable capacity diode  147   a  is applied with a control voltage by the CPU  46 , so that the resonance frequency thereof may be variably set. 
   In this embodiment, if an information of a reception frequency different from the frequency read by the bar code reader  9  is input to the CPU  46  by the reception wave identification circuit  131 , the CPU  46  set a frequency of the station selection unit of the reception circuit  114   a  to a frequency read by the bar code reader  9 , and the switches  143   a  and  145   a  are switched such that the contact point a is turned on. In addition, the CPU  46  applies a control voltage to the variable capacity diode  147   a , so that the capacity of the variable capacity diode  147   a  is variably set by the control voltage, and the resonance frequency of the variable resonance circuit  146   a  is set to the frequency read by the bar code reader  9 . 
   The function in this case will be described below with reference to FIG.  26 . 
   Steps S 11  to S 22  in  FIG. 26  are the same as those in FIG.  21 . It is decided in step S 22  whether a reception frequency is the same as a frequency obtained by a bar code or not. If these frequencies are the same, the flow shifts to step S 14 . 
   On the other hand, if these frequencies are not the same, the flow shifts to step S 33 , the high-frequency amplification unit  142   a  is set in such a state that the frequency component obtained by the bar code is selectively amplified, and the frequency of the reception circuit  114   a  is set to the frequency in step S 15 . The remaining processes are the same as those in FIG.  21 . 
   In this manner, when the radio wave is to be received by using the endoscope  2 A or the like, if a radio wave from another electric device is received by the endoscope  2 A, only the frequency component of the transmission frequency obtained by the endoscope  2 A is selectively amplified. In this manner, the signal obtained by the endoscope  2 A can be received at a high S/N ratio. 
   This embodiment has the following advantages. 
   Even if any device to use a radio wave which is not supposed exists in using the endoscope, the endoscope can be used without being adversely affected by such device. 
   Although an original frequency (frequency of a bar code) component is selectively amplified in this embodiment, the process of a band-pass filter for causing the original frequency component to pass may be performed (in  FIG. 25 , when the amplification factor of the high-frequency amplification circuit  144   a  is set to be 1, the process of the band-pass filter is obtained). 
   [Tenth Embodiment] 
   The tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 27  to  29 . 
   An endoscope apparatus  151  shown in  FIG. 27  comprises endoscopes  152 A and  152 B respectively having antennas  3   a  and  3   b , a receiver  155  having an antenna  154 , a monitor  156  for displaying an endoscope image, and a bar code reader  159 . 
   The appearance of the endoscope  152 A is the same as that of the endoscope  2 A in FIG.  1 . On the other hand, the endoscope  152 B is composed of an optical endoscope  148  for obtaining, e.g., an optical image and a television camera  150  disposed on an eyepiece portion  149  of the optical endoscope  148  and having a built-in image pickup element  157 . 
   A bar code  158   a  representing the information of a transmission frequency of the endoscope  152 A is provided to the endoscope  152 A, and a bar code  158   b  representing the information of a transmission frequency of the television camera  150  is provided to the television camera  150 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 28 , the endoscope  152 A has a constitution obtained by adding a receiving function or the like to the endoscope  2 A in FIG.  2 . 
   More specifically, in the constitution in  FIG. 2 , an output from a modulation circuit  29  is transmitted to a transmission circuit  30  through a variable amplification circuit  161 . To an antenna  3   a  are connected a reception circuit  162 , a demodulation circuit  163 , and a CPU  164  to which an output from the demodulation circuit  163  is input. The CPU  164  controls the variable amplification circuit  161  by the output from the demodulation circuit  163  such that the amplification factor of the variable amplification circuit  161  increases. 
   In this embodiment, the endoscope  152 A transmits an endoscope image with a radio wave  31 , receives a radio wave  165  of a transmission signal from the receiver  155 , and performs a process depending on the reception result. 
   The endoscope  152 B (of the television camera  150 ) has the same constitution as that of the endoscope  152 A. 
   On the other hand, the receiver  155  has a constitution obtained by adding a transmission function to the receiver  135  in FIG.  20 . 
   More specifically, the receiver  155  has, in addition to the constitution in  FIG. 20 , a modulation circuit  166  and a transmission circuit  167 . An identification result of a reception wave obtained by the reception wave identification circuit  131  is transmitted to the CPU  46 . If the reception frequency thereof is not the same as a frequency obtained by a bar code, the CPU  46  adds the identification information of the endoscope to the endoscope  152 A or  152 B which has transmitted the endoscope image and transmits a transmission level increase designation signal to the modulation circuit  166 . 
   This signal is modulated by the modulation circuit  166  and transmitted to the endoscope  152 A or the like by the transmission circuit  167  and the antenna  4 . 
   The endoscope  152 A or the like receives the signal. On the basis of the identification information, the CPU  164  decides whether the endoscope is the one the transmission level of which is designated to be increased by an output from the demodulation circuit  163  or not. If the CPU  164  decides that the endoscope is the one the transmission level of which is designated to be increased, the CPU  164  increases the amplification factor of the variable amplification circuit  161 . The other constitution is the same as that in  FIG. 2  or  20 . 
   The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.  29 . Steps S 11  to S 22  in  FIG. 29  are the same as those in FIG.  21 . It is decided in step S 22  whether a reception frequency is the same as a frequency obtained by a bar code. If the frequencies are the same, the flow shifts to step S 14 . 
   On the other hand, if the frequencies are not the same, the flow shifts to step S 35 , so that transmission level increase designation is performed from the CPU  46 . For example, in a state in which a transmission signal from the endoscope  152 A is received, if the CPU  46  decides that the reception frequency is not the same as the frequency of the bar code, the CPU  46  transmits the transmission level increase designation signal for increasing the level of the transmission signal through the modulation circuit  166  together with the identification information of the endoscope  152 A. 
   Then, the process to increase the level of the transmission signal is performed in step  36 . 
   In the endoscope  152 A, the original identification information and the increase designation signal are received from the antenna  3   a  and demodulated through the reception circuit  162  and the demodulation circuit  163 , to be input to the CPU  164 . It is decided on the basis of the identification information that the endoscope is the one the transmission level of which is designated to be increased, and the corresponding process is performed by the CPU  164 . More specifically, a video signal modulated by the VCA  161  is amplified, so that the transmission level is increased by the transmission circuit  30  and the antenna  3   a.    
   Thus, the transmission level obtained by the corresponding endoscope is increased, thereby to ensure the reception while reducing influence of other electric devices. 
   Even if the endoscope  152 B the transmission level of which is not designated to be increased receives a signal from the receiver  155 , it is decided, on the basis of the identification information, that the endoscope is the one the transmission level of which is not designated to be increased, so that the transmission level is not increased. 
   In this manner, when a signal having a frequency which is different from the transmission frequency by the endoscope  152 A or  152 B which is read by a bar code is received, a transmission power of the endoscope the transmission frequency of which is read by the bar code can be increased, so that a radio wave obtained by the endoscope can be received at a higher S/N ratio. 
   This embodiment has the following advantage. 
   Even if a device to use a radio wave which is not supposed exists in using the endoscope, the endoscope can be used while reducing influence by such device. 
   [Eleventh Embodiment] 
   The eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 30 and 31 . 
   In the first embodiment to the tenth embodiment, the endoscopes each having a built-in image pickup element have been mainly described. However, the eleventh embodiment is the one in which a microscope for operation is used in place of an endoscope. Only different parts between the eleventh embodiment and the first embodiment will be described below. 
   As shown in  FIG. 30 , a microscope apparatus for operation  170  provided in an operating room  169  is composed of a microscope for operation  171  and a reception device  172  having a receiver  5  or the like. 
   A main body of a microscope for operation (or a microscope body, to be simply referred to as a main body hereinafter)  176  is mounted to a frame  175  arranged near a patient  174  who lies on a bed  173 . 
   The frame  175  constituting the microscope  171  for operation comprises a base  175   a  which can be moved on a floor surface and a support  175   b  erected on the base  175   a . The frame  175  is arranged on the distal end side (for example, the side on which a part operated such as a head  174   a  of the patient  174  on the bed  173 ) of the bed  173  in the operating room  169 . 
   In addition, an arm portion  175   c  which movably supports the main body  176  in an arbitrary direction is provided on the upper portion of the support  175   b . A plurality of movable arms are provided on the arm portion  175   c . In this case, the movable arms are connected to each other such that they are rotated about rotational shafts. 
   Electromagnetic brakes (not shown) are disposed respectively on the bearing portions of the rotational shafts of the arm portion  175   c . Each of the electromagnetic brakes is designed to be ON/OFF-controlled by a switch (not shown) provided at a grip integrally fixed to the main body  176 . 
   When the electromagnetic brakes are OFF-controlled, the arm portion  175   c  is held in a lock releasing state. Thus, the main body  176  can be three-dimensionally moved and spatially freely positioned, so that an operator  177  can observe the part operated at a desired angle. In addition, when the electromagnetic brakes are ON-controlled, the arm portion  175   c  is switched to be in a lock state, and the position of the main body  176  is fixed. In the microscope for operation  171 , a light source (not shown) thereof for illuminating the portion operated of the patient  174  is built. 
   A wireless transmitter  178  for performing wireless transmission of an image captured by the microscope  171  is mounted on the main body  176 , so that an image obtained by the main body  176  is transmitted to the reception device  172  side with a radio wave  179 . 
   A bar code  180  is attached onto the wireless transmitter  178 , and the transmission frequency of the wireless transmitter  178  can be read by a bar code reader  9 . 
   An antenna  181  for performing transmission is provided to the wireless transmitter  178 . The transmitted radio wave  179  generated from the antenna  181  is received by an antenna  4  connected to the receiver  5 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 31 , a lens  184  is disposed at a connection potion  183  between the wireless transmitter  178  and the main body  176 , and an image pickup element  185  for picking up a microscope image captured by the main body  176  is arranged at the image forming position. An image signal captured by the image pickup element  185  is subjected to a video process in a signal conversion circuit  186 , and a generated video signal can be observed at a monitor unit  187 . 
   On the other hand, the video signal subjected to the video process is subjected to a modulation process in the modulation circuit  188  so as to be transmitted, and thus, the radio wave  179  is transmitted by a transmission circuit  189  and the antenna  181 . A power required for the operation is supplied from an internal power supply  190  to the image pickup element  185  or the signal conversion circuit  186 . By control performed through an operation panel  191 , a process performed by the signal conversion circuit  186  or the like can be variably set. 
   The transmission frequency of the bar code  180  attached onto the wireless transmitter  178  is read with the bar code reader  9 . The other constitution of the eleventh embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. 
   In this embodiment, a microscope image obtained by the microscope  171  is transmitted by wireless in place of the endoscope image obtained by the endoscope in the first embodiment, and is displayed on a monitor  6  of the reception device  172 . The other functions of the eleventh embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. 
   This embodiment has advantages which are almost the same as those of the first embodiment. 
   Other embodiments which may be constituted by partially combining the embodiments described above also belong to the present invention.