Abstract: An endoscope insertion portion includes an image pick-up assembly including an image pick-up unit and an image pick-up cable provided in order from the distal end portion to the proximal end side wherein the outer diameter of the image pick-up unit is larger than the outer diameter of the image pick-up cable, and a channel assembly arranged side by side with the image pick-up assembly and including a thin outer diameter portion and a thick outer diameter portion provided in order from the distal end portion to the proximal end side wherein a distal end portion of the thick outer diameter portion is arranged on more proximal end side than a proximal end portion of the image pick-up unit.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope apparatus includes: an image pickup apparatus mounted at a distal end portion of an insertion portion; an operation portion provided consecutively at the insertion portion, with a frame member incorporated therein; and an electrical cable extended from the operation portion for connection with an external device. In the electronic endoscope apparatus, the frame member has a circuit board portion which establishes electrical connection between shields of the insertion portion and the electrical cable, and on which various electronic parts for exchanging signals with the image pickup apparatus are mounted. In spite of the arrangement of the image pickup apparatus that can acquire high-quality images at a distal end portion of the insertion portion, a size of the apparatus, in particular, a diameter of the insertion portion, can be prevented from being increased.

Abstract: A method for controlling movement of an imaging device in vivo, the method comprising the steps of providing an imaging device having a longitudinal axis and a magnetic component, said device to be inserted into a patient's body; providing a rotating magnetic field outside the patient's body; and advancing the rotating magnetic filed along the patient's body in a desired direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for introduction into a test body includes a functional portion for obtaining information on an inside of a test body; a power source for supplying power for driving the functional portion; and an enclosed container for accommodating the functional portion and the power source. A cross-sectional shape orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the enclosed container is an elliptical shape to make an outer shape small to alleviate a burden on a test subject during introduction into a body by swallowing or the like for test.

Abstract: An endoscope comprises a shaft with an outer tube and with an inner tube extending inside the latter, the outer and inner tubes being radially spaced apart from one another such that they form between them an axially extending channel, which provides space for receiving a light guide. An intermediate tube having flexural strength is arranged between the outer tube and the inner tube, which intermediate tube at least partially surrounds the inner tube.

Abstract: An electromagnetic tracking system comprising at least one electromagnetic transmitter assembly or at least one electromagnetic receiver assembly with two coils attachable to a trackable object to be tracked. The two coils including a first large coil and a second small coil, with the second small coil positioned asymmetrically with respect to the first large coil. The electromagnetic tracking system enables a medical professional to continually track the position and orientation of the object during a medical procedure.

Abstract: A medical needle set for visualized tissue ablation within a subject's body includes a cannula and components configured for inclusion in the cannula, including a trocar for occlusion of the cannula lumen during needle placement, and a visualizing ablation probe used for simultaneous endoscopic viewing and ablation of tissue sites with a laser beam. The cannula can include a tissue-gripping surface for stabilization of the needle set on the target tissue. A surgical system for tissue ablation includes a visualizing ablation needle set operably connected to an endoscope and a laser. A surgical procedure using this system permits simultaneous visualization and ablation of tissues, including those of the facet joints of the spine.

Abstract: A capsule medical device includes a capsule casing that contains an illumination board, an imaging board, a transmission board, and a control board on which functional components are mounted, and a sheet-like battery that supplies power to the functional components. The sheet-like battery is rolled up to be a pole shape and located between cutout parts of the imaging board, the transmission board, and the control board and the inner wall of the capsule casing.

Abstract: Endoscope and method comprise a micro endoscope with insertion end that is about 1-2 millimeters in outer diameter and includes an optical fiber image bundle, two optical laser fibers, two illumination source optical fiber bundles, along with three focusing lenses for image bundle and laser fibers. Insertion end may be inserted in a female milk duct, other body cavity, or internal organ to inspect for cells and lesions. Visual inspection is aided by the use of special mixtures of light sources to observe the distinction between normal and abnormal cells. If abnormal cells or lesions are detected and the surgeon decides cells or lesions are non-cancerous, the surgeon may then use endoscope to precisely burn, ablate, or otherwise kill abnormal cells at their point of origin on the milk duct, other body cavity, or internal organ. The procedure is minimally invasive and much less costly than many other similarly functioning medical procedures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a small diameter endoscope in which a handle is removably attached to a probe. The probe includes a fiber optic illumination channel that is concentric about an imaging channel. The handle includes an imaging device that detects light from the imaging channel and a sterile barrier that can be extended over the handle for use. Relay optics couples the small diameter imaging channel to the imaging device in the handle. The probe has a mounting hub that connects the probe to the handle and also serves to optically couple the fiber optic illumination channel to a light source.

Abstract: An endoscope having a hollow shaft for inserting an image guide, so that the distal end of the shaft is configured at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and the shaft is closed at the distal end by means of an end piece provided with a pass-through borehole for the image guide. To create an endoscope with an image transmission system of sufficient image size and image quality that can be autoclaved for cleaning purposes, it is proposed with the invention that the image guide should be positioned in the shaft in such a way that the bending radius of the image guide in the area of the bending of the shaft is greater than the bending radius of the shaft in the area of the bending.

Abstract: The inventive endoscopy system includes a cannula for arranging an endoscope and forming, between said cannula and endoscope, an irrigation or aspiration channel for transporting an irrigation or aspiration fluid, respectively, a connection ring mounted around the cannula and provided with a connection channel connectable to the irrigation or aspiration channel, respectively and a connector which is mounted on the connection ring and includes a transport channel with the connection channel and a first pressure sensor for detecting pressure in the transport channel. The connection ring is provided with a bypass circuit connectable to the irrigation or aspiration channel, respectively and the connector including a dead channel connectable to the bypass circuit and a second pressure sensor for detecting pressure in the dead channel.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to biopsy needle guidance which employs an x-ray/gamma image spatial co-registration methodology. A gamma camera is configured to mount on a biopsy needle gun platform to obtain a gamma image. More particular, the spatially co-registered x-ray and physiological images may be employed for needle guidance during biopsy. Moreover, functional images may be obtained from a gamma camera at various angles relative to a target site. Further, the invention also generally relates to a breast lesion localization method using opposed gamma camera images or dual opposed images. This dual head methodology may be used to compare the lesion signal in two opposed detector images and to calculate the Z coordinate (distance from one or both of the detectors) of the lesion.

Abstract: A capsule endoscope includes a housing, a lens module, a light source, an imaging module, a memory, a radio frequency transmitter, a power source, and a chamber. The lens module is received in the housing. The light source is configured for illuminating an interior of a body. The imaging module is configured for capturing images of the interior of the body. The memory is configured for storing the captured images. The radio frequency transmitter is configured for wirelessly transmitting the stored images. The power source is electrically connected to the imaging module, the memory and the radio frequency transmitter. The chamber is received in the housing. The lens module and the housing are made of a biodegradable material, and the chamber, the light sources, the imaging module, the memory, the power source, and the radio frequency transmitter are made of a non-biodegradable material.

Abstract: An air/water channel is split into smaller-diameter branch channels before the air/water channel enters a bending portion so as to create a space within a joint ring constituting the bending portion. A forceps channel having the largest outer diameter among internal components of the joint rings is disposed at the center of the joint rings. In addition to the branch channels, optical fibers as a light guide, a signal line, and the like are arranged around the forceps channel within the joint rings. By eliminating the created space, a diameter of the joint rings is reduced and thus a diameter of an insertion section is reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to biopsy needle guidance which employs an x-ray/gamma image spatial co-registration methodology. A gamma camera is configured to mount on a biopsy needle gun platform to obtain a gamma image. More particular, the spatially co-registered x-ray and physiological images may be employed for needle guidance during biopsy. Moreover, functional images may be obtained from a gamma camera at various angles relative to a target site. Further, the invention also generally relates to a breast lesion localization method using opposed gamma camera images or dual opposed images. This dual head methodology may be used to compare the lesion signal in two opposed detector images and to calculate the Z coordinate (distance from one or both of the detectors) of the lesion.

Abstract: A video endoscope comprises an elongate shaft having a longitudinal axis, and a handpiece at the proximal end of the shaft, a distal end of the shaft being provided with a lens and, in the proximal direction from the lens, with an electronic image pickup. The image pickup is connected, via an electrical connection extending along the shaft, to an electrical connector piece arranged on the handpiece. The image pickup and the connector piece can rotate relative to each other about the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The electrical connection comprises at least one flexible, elongate circuit board, which is able to twist about its longitudinal direction and has at least one conductor track.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for an electronic endoscope includes a bare chip of CCD, a circuit board with approximately the same thickness as the bare chip, and a conducting plate with no less than 1/4 width of the bare chip. The bare chip has terminals on the surface with an imaging surface. The terminals are arranged near the edge facing the rear end of an insertion section of the electronic endoscope. The circuit board has terminals on the surface near the edge facing the front end of the insertion section. These terminals are connected by wire bonding. The conducting plate is attached along one side of the rear surface of the CCD and the circuit board for electrical connection. A forceps channel is provided such that its outer circumference fits partially into a cut portion formed on the rear surfaces of the CCD and the circuit board by the conducting plate.

Abstract: A capsule endoscope including: an illumination board section on which an illumination portion is arranged; a lens support member that supports a lens; a hole that pierces through the illumination board section, the lens support member being fitted in the hole; and a supporting portion that positions and supports the illumination board section with respect to the lens support member when the lens support member is inserted into the hole, the supporting portion being provided in the lens support member. A method for assembling a capsule endoscope that includes an imaging board section on which an image sensor is arranged is also provided.

Abstract: An endoscope insertion portion includes an imaging unit including a distal end optical member arranged at a distal end portion of the imaging unit and a movable optical member configured to be moved relative to the distal end optical member, an actuator unit arranged in a position relative to the distal end optical member, configured to drive the movable optical member and including a shape memory member configured to deform according to temperature, and a heater unit including a heating member configured to heat the distal end optical member wherein the heater unit is arranged on one side opposite to other side on which the actuator unit is arranged and the heating member is configured to heat the distal end optical member from the one side to the other side, relative to the optical axis of the imaging unit, when viewing in the axial direction of the insertion portion.

Abstract: Systems for the stabilization of visualization catheters are described herein which facilitate the deployment and retraction of an imaging hood from a catheter. Such systems may include a deployment catheter and an imaging hood having one or more structural elements which may be integrated or advanced into the hood independently of the hood itself. Moreover, additional features such as rapid exchange ports may be integrated along the hood or along the catheter proximal to the hood to facilitate intravascular procedures and treatments.

Abstract: A body-insertable apparatus including a capsule-like casing, an illuminating unit, an imaging unit, and an antenna is provided. The capsule-like casing is formed in a capsule-like shape and includes a transparent imaging dome. The illuminating unit is arranged in the capsule-like casing and illuminates an examined site of a subject through the imaging dome. The imaging unit is arranged in the capsule-like casing and takes an image of the examined site illuminated by the illuminating unit. The antenna is arranged in the imaging dome at a position outside an imaging field of view of the imaging dome to transmit image information obtained through imaging by the imaging unit to an outside of the subject.

Abstract: Heat isolation and relocation systems and methods are provided to enable utilization of a remote viewing device in a wider range of temperature environments and while operating its one or more light sources at or near full power without fear of causing temperature-related harm to the one or more light sources and/or to the imager, even if the imager is positioned nearby the one or more light sources.

Abstract: An endoscope insertion portion capable of illuminating a diseased part corresponding to a part of an endoscope image by irradiation light in an amount approximately the same as that in non-enlarged display, when displaying the part of the endoscope image in an enlarged manner. The endoscope insertion portion of this invention includes: an insertion portion having a distal end surface; a first illumination optical system for irradiating light onto a subject; a second illumination optical system for irradiating light onto the subject; a first image pickup portion including on the distal end surface a first optical member for introducing light from the subject; and a second image pickup portion including a second optical member for introducing light from the subject, the second optical member being disposed in an area sandwiched by the first illumination optical system and the second illumination optical system.

Abstract: The imaging system can comprise a plurality of elongated rails, a scanhead assembly, and a small animal mount assembly. The scanhead assembly is selectively mounted onto a first rail and is constructed and arranged for movement in a linear bi-directional manner along the longitudinal axis of the first rail. The small-animal mount assembly is selectively mounted onto a second rail and is constructed and arranged for movement in a linear bi-directional manner along the longitudinal axis of the second rail. The second rail being mounted relative to the first rail such that the longitudinal axis of the second rail is at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the first rail. The imaging system can also comprise a needle injection assembly that is selectively mounted onto the third rail and is constructed and arranged for movement in a linear bi-directional manner along the longitudinal axis of the third rail.

Abstract: An electric connector for an endoscope, an endoscope, and a method for assembling an electric connector which make it possible to simplify work operations such as operation checks and repairs of the endoscope, as well as to reduce the time for the work operations. An endoscope having an insertion portion, an operation portion provided at a proximal end portion of the insertion portion, and a connection cable connected to the operation portion and having an electric connector at a proximal end thereof. The endoscope has a cable wire which is inserted through the endoscope and extends from the electric connector toward a distal end and a connector to which an end portion of the cable wire is releasably connected.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an arc-shaped flexible printed circuit film type endoscope using an imaging device. The endoscope includes an image photographing means and an object insertion means. The image photographing means includes a head housing to which an imaging device and an illumination means are mounted, and functions to photograph an image. The object insertion means includes an arc-shaped flexible thin foil, an insulating adhesive film, a circuit film and an insulating protective film which are layered and inserted into an interior of an object to be inspected. The object insertion means is connected at one end thereof to the image photographing means and connected at the other end to a transmission cable via a connector.

Abstract: An endoscope insertion portion of the invention includes a distal end portion, and a plurality of image pickup portions each including an image pickup device for obtaining an endoscope image, wherein the plurality of image pickup portions are disposed in the distal end portion such that agreement is made between first and second electric charge transfer directions in which electric charges are transferred from each photoelectric conversion device of the respective image pickup devices, thus avoiding a sense of incongruity (stress to a user) from being caused by endoscope images displayed on a monitor, which are obtained by a plurality of image pickup units.

Abstract: An endoscope has a tubular shaft whose interior contains components, in particular lenses, spacers, diaphragms, prisms and filters of an optical system, said components being at least partially surrounded by a support piece made of shrunk material. It is proposed that the components be surrounded by a transparent and tube-sleeve-shaped shrunk material which has been shrunk before the components are introduced into the tubular shaft.

Abstract: An optical instrument has an outer shank (15) with a viewing window (31) arranged near the free shank end and a handle part (1) at the other end of the outer shank. An opto-electrical a transducer (26) is rotatably arranged within the outer shank, and is attached on an inner shank (12) which is rotatably mounted within the outer shank. Actuation means (10) for rotating the transducer (26) are provided in the outer shank. An axial bearing is provided between the outer shank and the inner shank (12). Moreover, a spring element impinging the inner shank (12) with force in the direction of the axial bearing is provided.

Abstract: A robot system for use in surgical procedures has two movable arms each carried on a wheeled base with each arm having a six of degrees of freedom of movement and an end effector which can be rolled about its axis and an actuator which can slide along the axis for operating different tools adapted to be supported by the effector. Each end effector including optical force sensors for detecting forces applied to the tool by engagement with the part of the patient. A microscope is located at a position for viewing the part of the patient. The position of the tool tip can be digitized relative to fiducial markers visible in an MRI experiment. The workstation and control system has a pair of hand-controllers simultaneously manipulated by an operator to control movement of a respective one or both of the arms. The image from the microscope is displayed on a monitor in 2D and stereoscopically on a microscope viewer. A second MRI display shows an image of the part of the patient the real-time location of the tool.

Abstract: An interlocking nested cannula set (231) has a plurality of telescoping tubes cooperatively configured and dimensioned to reach a target location relative to an anatomical region. Each tube has a pre-set interlocking shape. A nesting of an inner tube (30) within an outer tube (40) includes a gap (50) between the tubes (30, 40), which interlock within the gap (50) to limit rotation of the tubes (30, 40) relative to the gap (50). The interlocking shapes of the tubes (30, 40) may be identical or different. Examples of the interlocking shapes of a polygonal interlocking shape, a non-circular closed curve interlocking shape, a polygonal-closed curve hybrid interlocking shape and a keyway interlocking shape.

Abstract: A device including at least one image sensor and a circuit board having a plurality of rigid sections and a plurality of flexible sections. The image sensor is disposed an a rigid section of the circuit board. The circuit board may be folded into a housing configured for in vivo sensing. An illumination source is electrically connected to a ring shaped rigid section and at least one battery is positioned between two of the rigid sections.

Abstract: An endoscope has a shaft which is composed of an outer tube and an inner tube, providing a channel therebetween. The proximal end of the shaft is connected to an endoscope head. The endoscope head is provided with a light guide connector. Light guides extend from said light guide connector to a distal end of said channel in said shaft. Said channel housing said light guides is filled with an adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention provides, according to some embodiments, an in vivo imaging device, comprising a mount having at least one illumination source. The mount may be in electrical communication with the illumination source. The device may further include a circuit board and a contact clip for securing the mount to the circuit board and for providing electrical communication therebetween.

Abstract: An instrument interface of a robotic manipulator and a surgical system including the instrument interface are provided. In one embodiment, the instrument interface includes a spring-loaded input for providing axial load and torque to a sterile adaptor capable of operably coupling an instrument. In another embodiment, a robotic surgical manipulator system includes a manipulator assembly, including a base link operably coupled to a distal end of a manipulator arm, and a carriage link movably coupled to the base link along a lengthwise axis, the carriage link including an integrated instrument interface. The system further includes an instrument operably coupled to the carriage link via the instrument interface, and a processor operably coupled to the manipulator assembly for sensing presence of the instrument.

Abstract: An endoscope insertion portion includes a distal end side wire guide which is provided over a distal end side of a operation wire, and a portion of which is fixed to a bending portion, a proximal end side wire guide which is provided over a proximal end side of a operation wire, and a portion of which is fixed to a insertion tube portion, a distal end side abutting portion provided at a proximal end of the distal end side wire guide, and a proximal end side abutting portion which is provided at a distal end of the proximal end side wire guide, and brought into abutment with the distal end side abutting portion when the operation wire is moved backward so that the bending portion is bent.

Abstract: A device, system and method for in-vivo analysis. An autonomous in-vivo device may include a magnet to detain at least a portion of a sample collected from a body lumen; a sensor to sense a property of the detained sample portion; and a transmitter to transmit data of the sensed property.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to apparatus and devices for stereotactic surgery, computer aided surgery and other similar medical procedures. More particularly, a clamping device for firm attachment to a body part during surgery and for firmly and precisely positioning and orienting medical instruments attached to the clamping device is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disposable access port for use in endoscopic procedures, including laparoscopic procedures. The access port includes a cannula with an embedded camera in communication with an external control box. In operation, a trocar is combined with the access port to facilitate insertion of the access port into an anatomical site. Prior to insertion, the camera is pushed inside the cannula, where it remains during insertion. The trocar is removed after the access port has been inserted to allow surgical instruments to access the anatomical site. During removal of the trocar, a portion of the trocar urges the camera out of the cannula, thereby allowing visualization of the anatomical site. The camera can be fixedly or adjustably mounted on the port. A camera may also be mounted on the trocar. The trocar may include irrigation and suction channels to facilitate a clear view of the anatomical site.

Abstract: A viewing instrument with a variable direction of view is disclosed generally comprising an outer instrument shaft, such as endoscope shaft, with a viewing element at its distal end, and an inner drive shaft within the outer shaft for moving the viewing element in order to change the direction of the view vector. First and second on-board actuators, such as motors, are arranged in the proximal portion of the instrument for rotating the outer and inner shaft, respectively, in order to rotate the viewing element through two degrees of freedom. In certain embodiments, the axes of the shafts are coincident, and the viewing element rotates about a rotational axis substantially perpendicular to shaft axes. In some embodiments, the axes of the motors are substantially parallel.

Abstract: The inventive endoscopy system includes a cannula for arranging an endoscope and forming, between said cannula and endoscope, an irrigation or aspiration channel for transporting an irrigation or aspiration fluid, respectively, a connection ring mounted around the cannula and provided with a connection channel connectable to the irrigation or aspiration channel, respectively and a connector which is mounted on the connection ring and includes a transport channel with the connection channel and a first pressure sensor for detecting pressure in the transport channel. The connection ring is provided with a bypass circuit connectable to the irrigation or aspiration channel, respectively and the connector including a dead channel connectable to the bypass circuit and a second pressure sensor for detecting pressure in the dead channel.

Abstract: Distal ends of the LG fiber bundles are held in a state of being inclined outwardly with respect to an insertion direction of the distal end rigid portion, an observation hole for holding the image-pickup unit is formed at the distal end rigid portion, illumination holes for holding the distal ends of the LG fiber bundles are formed around the observation hole, the illumination holes are inclined outwardly with respect to an insertion direction of the distal end rigid portion, extended lines of inclined angles of the illumination holes are set to pass through backward of the observation hole, and a space after removal of the image-pickup unit from the observation hole is secured as a space for withdrawal of the LG fiber bundles.

Abstract: A support member and an optical fiber are disposed side by side inside a tubular outer envelope of an optical probe to extend in the longitudinal direction of the outer envelope. A light deflectors which deflects light emitted from the front end of the optical fiber in the circumferential direction of the outer envelope is provided and the light deflector is rotated in response rotation of the support member by a drive means such as a motor, whereby an optical probe which can deflect light emitted from the circumferential surface of the outer envelope in the circumferential direction of the outer envelope and is easy to make thinner and down its cost can be obtained.

Abstract: A capsule medical apparatus is provided with a plurality of rigid boards which are connected in line via a flexible board; and molded bodies. The molded bodies are formed in a manner of covering functional components mounted on the respective rigid boards. The molded bodies keep an inter-board interval between the rigid boards by intervening between facing rigid boards. The molded bodies keep an inter-board interval between the rigid boards by intervening between facing rigid boards.

Abstract: Where two axes X and Y using the axial center position as the origin are set on a section orthogonal to the axial line of the distal end hard portion, the observation portion and the treatment equipment lead-out portion are disposed at both side positions between which the Y-axis is placed, the surface on which the solid-state image pickup device of the substrate is incorporated is disposed in a direction parallel to the X-axis, the center of the treatment equipment lead-out port is disposed between a plane parallel to the X-axis including the center of the optical axis of the object lens and a plane including the plane of the substrate, the line connecting the centers of both the illumination portions are roughly parallel to the Y-axis, and is drawn near the center of the optical axis of the object lens, and the distances between the center of the optical axis and both the illumination portions are made as equal to each other as possible.

Abstract: A bend section is disposed on an insertion section. A rotary body, on which a proximal end portion of a wire for a bend operation, which has a distal end portion connected to the bend section, is rotatably supported in a large-diameter section. Driving force transmission portion, which converts linear movement of a working shaft that is operable in a linear direction to rotational movement of the rotary body, is provided in the large-diameter section. A driving source unit is detachably coupled to the large-diameter section on the proximal end side of the insertion section. The driving source unit is provided with operation section which linearly moves the working shaft, in accordance with an operation of a driving shaft that operates in a linear direction by a driving force from a driving motor.

Abstract: An capsule-type medical apparatus includes a sealed container; and a wiring board which is housed in the sealed container and on which a functional circuit performing a predetermined function while the capsule-type medical apparatus is inserted into a subject is mounted. The wiring board includes a plurality of comparatively rigid wiring board sections on which parts constituting the functional circuit are mounted, and a comparatively flexible wiring board section that connects the plurality of the rigid wiring board sections. The flexible wiring board is extended from a straight-line portion formed on the rigid wiring board sections, and the flexible wiring board section is folded so that the adjacent rigid wiring board sections oppose to each other.

Abstract: An in vivo imaging device may include a capsule shaped housing and an image sensor. The capsule shaped housing may have a longitudinal axis and a window. The image sensor (e.g., a CMOS sensor) may include a pixel array portion and a circuitry portion. The circuitry portion may be segregated, for example longitudinally, from the pixel array portion. The pixel array portion may be disposed within said housing substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis. A light deflecting element disposed at an angle smaller than 45 degrees with respect to the pixel array portion introduces image distortion which is compensated by a distortion compensation mechanism.

Abstract: A capsule endoscope is disclosed that includes means for illuminating an object, means for imaging the object, and a transparent cover having a center of curvature. The transparent cover covers the illumination means and the imaging means, and the imaging means includes an objective optical system and an image detecting element. The illumination means is positioned relative to the image detecting element, as viewed axially from the object side of the capsule endoscope, so that an area that is symmetrically positioned about the optical axis of the objective optical system from a light emitting area of the illumination means overlaps an area of the image detecting element, but does not overlap any areas of the image detecting element that are used for image detection.