Patent ID: 7129473

Claim:
An optical image pickup apparatus, comprising: at least one light source; first light transmitting means for transmitting light generated from the light source and irradiating a subject; light gathering means for gathering light transmitted by the first light transmitting means to the subject; optical scanning means for moving light to be irradiated to the subject; photoreceptor means for receiving light from the subject; first photodetector means for detecting light received by using the photoreceptor means; image creating means for creating an image from signals output from the first photodetector means; second photodetector means for detecting reflected light, scattering light or fluorescence generated in the first light transmitting means, the light-gathering means, the optical scanning means or the subject; scanning state detecting means for detecting an operation state of the optical scanning means based on signals output from the second photodetector means; and a probe, which can be inserted into a body cavity, wherein at least a part of the first light transmitting means is internally provided in an insert portion of the probe.