PURPOSE: To reduce the diameter of an insertion part by providing the above endoscope with shape detecting means for translucent members for detecting the shapes of these translucent members, thereby making it possible to incorporate a phase conjugation image forming technique into the soft endoscope.
CONSTITUTION: The respective connecting rings (shape detecting means) 18 between the respective image transmission optical element 17 of a first image transmission optical system 7 are deformed when the insertion part 2 of the endoscope 1 is deformed at the time of inserting this part into the body and the first image transmission optical system 7 is deformed as well. At this time, the electric resistance values of the respective connecting rings 18 are changed according to the deformation rates of the respective connecting rings 18 and, therefore, the shape information of the first image transmission optical systems 7 is detected by a shape detector 20 in accordance with the change in the electric resistance values. The deformation of the second image transmission optical system 13 is made possible in such a manner that the same shapes are attained by the shape information of the first image transmission optical system 7. The respective connecting rings 18 are respectively electrically connected to each other and are further connected to the external shape detector 20 of the endoscope 1 via a signal line 19.
HIBINO HIROKI
OOAKI YOSHINAO
MORI TETSUAKI
ISHII HIROSHI
ONO KATSUYA
ONO MASAHIRO
OGASAWARA TAKESHI
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