Patent ID: 8821382

Claim:
An image pickup unit comprising: an image pickup device to be used with a first endoscope and a second endoscope, the first endoscope including a bending portion in a vicinity of a distal end portion of an insertion portion, the second endoscope not including a bending portion in the vicinity of the distal end portion of the insertion portion, at least the vicinity of the distal end portion of the insertion portion being configured by a member which practically does not have flexibility; and a board comprising: a first board portion for the first endoscope provided with an image pickup device mounting surface on which the image pickup device is mounted, and with a first terminal portion on which is arranged a plurality of terminals to be respectively connected with a plurality of signal transmitting members for the first endoscope; and a second board portion for the second endoscope integrally provided to the board portion for the first endoscope with a connection portion, and provided with a second terminal portion on which is arranged a plurality of terminals to be respectively connected with a plurality of signal transmitting members for the second endoscope, wherein, when the board is used as an image pickup unit for the first endoscope, the signal transmitting members for the first endoscope are respectively connected to the terminals of the first terminal portion, and the second board portion is separated from the first board portion at a predetermined position, and wherein, when the board is used as an image pickup unit for the second endoscope, the second terminal portion is connected with the signal transmitting member for the second endoscope, and the second board portion connected with the signal transmitting member for the second endoscope is folded at a previously determined position, so that one surface of the second board portion is disposed opposite to one surface of the first board portion.