Patent ID: 7787178

Claim:
An objective-lens guiding device for guiding an objective lens having a narrow-diameter end portion at a distal end side and a large-diameter portion at a base end side, comprising: a support portion secured to the large-diameter portion, a cylindrical portion configured to accommodate the narrow-diameter end portion, and an intermediate member provided so as to be movable in the optical axis direction relative to the support portion, the intermediate member supporting the cylindrical portion so that the cylindrical portion is movable in the optical axis direction relative to the support portion, wherein a front end of the cylindrical portion is disposed at a location farther toward the front than an end face of the narrow-diameter end portion, and wherein the cylindrical portion is attached to the intermediate member in such a manner as to be attachable thereto and removable therefrom while maintaining relative positions of the objective lens and the support portion with respect to a position of the intermediate member.