SCANNING PROBE, SCANNING OBSERVATION SYSTEM, INTEGRATED ENDOSCOPE, AND INTEGRATED ENDOSCOPIC SYSTEM

摘要

The scanning probe is configured from: an optical fiber that transmits the scanning light; a housing that houses and supports the optical fiber; an oscillating element that is fastened on the emission end of the optical fiber and cyclically oscillates the emission end so that scanning light emitted from the emission end of the optical fiber scans the subject on a prescribed track; a hollow tube formed so as to surround the entire circumference of the emission end and the movable portion of the oscillating element with the inner circumferential surface thereof, the inner circumferential surface being located outside the range of motion of the emission end and the oscillating element; a temperature-detecting sensor for detecting the temperature of the hollow space of the hollow tube; and a heating element that is placed on the inner circumferential surface or the outer circumferential surface of the hollow tube and is for raising the temperature of the hollow space according to the temperature detected by the temperature-detecting sensor. A prescribed resistance to heat radiation has been disposed between the outer circumferential surface of the hollow tube and the inner wall surface of the housing.