Winding type endoscope apparatus

摘要

This endoscope apparatus is provided with an elongate flexible insertable part; a winding unit with a supporting structure having a winding member connected with the insertable part at the base end and capable of winding up and housing the insertable part; an illuminating device for emitting an illuminating light for the endoscope; and an observing device for producing an image of an object to be observed. An external apparatus forming one or both of the illuminating device and observing device is provided separately from the winding member. A connecting means is extended axially out of the side of the winding member and connected to the external apparatus. The endoscope apparatus also includes a driving circuit for the imaging apparatus and a signal processing circuit for processing a picture image signal output from the imaging apparatus to be a video signal. At least the driving circuit is located in the winding member and rotates with this winding member; and the signal processing circuit may also be located in the winding member.