JP2001112705A - Endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope apparatus that allows automatically selecting either a normal observation mode or a special light observation mode simply by selectively connecting either a visible-light imaging up means or a special- light image pickup means. SOLUTION: Either an ultraviolet observation TV camera 5 or a normal observation TV camera is selectively mounted to an endoscope eye-piece part 13 and selectively connected to a signal processor 6, so that an identifying circuit 70 in the signal processor 6 identifies the connection of the selected TV camera. Information derived from the identification result is output to a switching circuit 53 and also to a sensing circuit 27 in a light source device 3. Thus, as the ultraviolet observation TV camera 5 or the normal observation TV camera is selectively connected, the illuminating light of the light source device 3 matching the selected TV camera is provided and either a visible light processing circuit 51 serving as a signal processing means or an ultraviolet processing circuit 52 is selected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus capable of special light observation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an endoscope apparatus which irradiates a subject with visible light and displays an image of the subject by reflected light on a display means also irradiates the subject with special light such as ultraviolet rays or infrared rays and excites the excitation light. An endoscope apparatus capable of observing special light by using an endoscope has been proposed. Then, the subject is irradiated with special light such as ultraviolet rays or infrared rays, and the excitation light emitted from the subject is imaged by the special light, and the display means is used as a special light observation image together with the normal observation image captured under visible light. The display makes it easy to identify an abnormal site such as a cancer tissue. In the special light observation image obtained in this way, since the intensity of the excitation light emitted from the subject is much lower than the intensity of the normal reflected light, it is necessary to take an image with light multiplication by an image intensifier. . In addition, during imaging, it is common practice to prohibit illumination with visible light and irradiate only special light so that only special light observation images can be extracted.
That is, when obtaining a normal observation image, it is necessary to switch the irradiation light so that visible light is emitted, and when a special light observation image is obtained, special light is emitted.

As described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-154809, for example, such an endoscope apparatus internally emits visible light or special light that is selectively guided from a light source device through a filter. The subject is illuminated from the endoscope insertion part, and the light emitted from the subject is selectively attached to the endoscope eyepiece. The image is captured by the imaging camera for light observation, the image signal from the imaging camera for visible light observation or the imaging camera for special light observation is processed by signal processing means corresponding to each imaging camera, and displayed on a monitor. One that performs light observation and special light observation has been proposed.

[0004]

However, the endoscope device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-154809 described above
To obtain the desired visible light or special light when replacing the visible light observation imaging camera as the visible light imaging means or the special light observation imaging camera as the special light imaging means with the endoscope eyepiece, respectively. However, since the filters provided in the light source device are manually switched according to the desired visible light or special light, and the signal processing means corresponding to each imaging camera are manually switched, it is complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and the automatic observation mode or the special light observation mode can be set by simply selecting and connecting either the visible light imaging unit or the special light imaging unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope apparatus configured so as to be able to selectively select.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a light source device for selectively supplying visible light or special light, and a device for guiding visible light or special light supplied from this light source device. A light guide that irradiates the subject from the distal end side of the insertion portion, a visible light imaging unit that captures reflected light of the subject by the visible light, and a special light imaging unit that captures excitation light of the subject by the special light, A signal processing unit for normal observation that performs signal processing on a signal from the imaging unit for visible light; and a signal processing unit for special light observation that performs signal processing on a signal from the imaging unit for special light. Means or one of the special light observation signal processing means,
In an endoscope apparatus capable of selecting a normal observation mode using the visible light and a special light observation mode using the special light, selectively connecting either the visible light imaging unit or the special light imaging unit. Switching means for switching to one of the signal processing means and the illumination light of the light source device according to the selected visible light imaging means or the special light imaging means. And With this configuration, an endoscope apparatus configured to automatically select the normal observation mode or the special light observation mode simply by selectively connecting either the visible light imaging unit or the special light imaging unit is realized. .

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 and 2 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an entire configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram when the TV camera for special light observation of FIG. 1 is attached to an endoscope eyepiece.

As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes an optical endoscope (hereinafter referred to as an endoscope) 2 inserted into a living body, and an endoscope 2 therein. A light source device 3 for supplying illumination light to the endoscope 2; a normal observation TV camera 4 detachably mounted on the endoscope 2; In particular, a TV camera 5 for ultraviolet observation as a special light observation TV camera detachably attached to the camera, and a video signal obtained by performing signal processing on an imaging signal output from the normal observation TV camera 4 or the ultraviolet observation TV camera 5. A signal processing device for a TV camera (hereinafter, referred to as a signal processing device) 6 for generating a video signal, and a monitor 7 serving as a display unit that receives a video signal from the signal processing device 6 and displays an image.
And, is mainly composed of.

The endoscope 2 has an elongated insertion section 11, an operation section 12 at the rear end, an eyepiece section 13 at the rear end, and a light guide cable 14 extending from the operation section 12. A connector 15 is provided at an end of the light guide cable 14 and can be detachably connected to the light source device 3. The ultraviolet observation TV camera 5 includes:
The endoscope 2 is detachably connected to an eyepiece 13 of the endoscope 2, and is detachably connected to the signal processing device 6 at an end of a connection cord 5 a extending to the rear end side. A connector 5b is provided. Similarly, the connection cord 4a extending to the rear end side of the TV camera 4 for normal observation is similarly provided.
Is provided with a connector 4b detachably connected to the signal processing device 6.

As shown in FIG. 2, a light guide 21 having a function of transmitting visible light or special light is provided in the insertion portion 11, the operation portion 12, and the light guide cable 14 provided in the endoscope 2. The visible light or the special light is supplied from the light source device 3 by attaching the connector 15 to the light source device 3. In FIG. 2, the TV camera 5 for ultraviolet observation is selectively attached to the endoscope eyepiece 13.

The light source device 3 includes a normal observation illumination light source and a special light source such as a metal halide lamp 2.
And a turret filter 25 rotated by a stepping motor 24.
, And is further supplied to the light incident end of the light guide 21 via the condenser lens 26. The turret-shaped filter 25 is provided with a plurality of fan-shaped openings (not shown) in a disk shape, and each opening has, for example, 380 nm to 780 nm.
A visible light filter (not shown) that transmits light having a wavelength of 300 nm and an ultraviolet filter (not shown) that generates ultraviolet light for observation of ultraviolet light having a wavelength of, for example, 300 to 430 nm are attached. In addition, a plurality of filters for special light observation such as an infrared filter (not shown) that generates infrared light for infrared observation of 800 nm to 1000 nm are attached.

The detection circuit 27 corresponds to the step in which either the normal observation TV camera 4 or the ultraviolet observation TV camera 5 is selectively connected to the endoscope eyepiece 13. When the ping motor 24 is driven and controlled and the TV camera for normal observation 4 is connected, a filter for visible light is arranged on the optical path, and the light guide 21 is supplied with visible light as normal illumination light. . On the other hand, when the ultraviolet observation TV camera 5 is connected, an ultraviolet filter is arranged on the optical path, and ultraviolet light is supplied to the light guide 21. The light source device 3 is provided with a switch for turning on / off a power supply circuit (not shown). When this switch is turned on,
Power is supplied to the lamp 23, the stepping motor 24, and the like, and the operation state is established.

The light transmitted by the light guide 21 is further expanded from the distal end surface fixed to the illumination window of the distal end portion 11a of the insertion portion 11 through the illumination lens 31 to be spread on the subject side such as the surface of an organ in a body cavity. Is irradiated. An observation window is provided adjacent to the illumination window.
The excitation light emitted and excited by the reflected light or the special light from the illuminated subject forms an image at the image forming position by the objective lens 32. The distal end surface of the image guide 33 is arranged at this image forming position,
The image is transmitted to the rear end face by the image guide 33 inserted through the inside 1 and the like. The normal observation image can be magnified and observed with the naked eye via the eyepiece 34 attached to the eyepiece 13 so as to face the rear end face.

When the ultraviolet observation TV camera 5 is mounted on the eyepiece 13, an ultraviolet observation filter 41 disposed opposite to the eyepiece 34 is provided in the ultraviolet observation TV camera 5. An image forming lens 42 is incident on an image intensifier (abbreviated as II) 43 through the light source, is optically amplified, and forms an image on an ultraviolet CCD 45 via an image forming lens 44 disposed opposite to the image forming lens 43. The imaging signal photoelectrically converted by the ultraviolet CCD 45 is input to the signal processing device 6 and is converted into a video signal by the signal processing device 6. Although not shown, the normal observation TV camera 4 uses a visible light CCD through an imaging lens similar to the ultraviolet observation TV camera 5 to generate a subject image by visible light from the endoscope eyepiece 13. Is input to the signal processing device 6.

In the signal processing device 6, a visible light observation processing circuit (hereinafter referred to as visible light processing circuit) 51 and a special light observation processing circuit, particularly an ultraviolet observation processing circuit (hereinafter referred to as ultraviolet light processing circuit) 52, are provided. For example, when the ultraviolet observation TV camera 5 is connected to the endoscope eyepiece 13, the switching circuit 53 causes the ultraviolet observation TV camera 5 to be connected.
The imaging signal output from the ultraviolet CCD 45 is switched to an ultraviolet processing circuit 52, converted into a video signal, and output to the monitor 7.

In this embodiment, an identification means for identifying whether one of the normal observation TV camera 4 and the ultraviolet observation TV camera 5 is selectively connected to the endoscope eyepiece 13 is provided. By outputting the information based on the identification result of the identification means to the switching circuit 53 in the signal processing device 6 and the detection circuit 27 in the light source device 3, the light source device 3 and the signal processing device 6 are operated in the normal observation mode. Alternatively, it is configured to automatically switch to the special light observation mode.

The identification means includes the normal observation T
CCD identification pins 60 are provided on the connector 4b of the V camera 4 and the connector 5b of the TV camera 5 for ultraviolet observation.
By detecting the identification pin 60, the type of the CCD built in the connected normal observation TV camera 4 or ultraviolet observation TV camera 5 is identified.

As other identification means, although not shown, the types of CCDs incorporated in the normal observation TV camera 4 and the ultraviolet observation TV camera 5 in accordance with the imaging signals from the CCDs respectively incorporated therein. You may make it identify. Although not shown, an ID signal output unit for outputting each ID signal is provided in the TV camera 4 for normal observation and the TV camera 5 for ultraviolet observation, and is connected by an ID signal identification unit provided in the signal processing device 6. The normal observation TV camera 4 or the ultraviolet observation TV camera 5 may be identified.

In the endoscope apparatus 1 configured as described above, special light observation, particularly ultraviolet light observation, is performed. First, when the normal observation TV camera 4 is mounted on the endoscope eyepiece 13, the identification circuit 70 in the signal processing device 6 is operated by the identification pin 60 of the normal observation TV camera 4. TV
The connection of the camera 4 is identified, and information based on the identification result is output to the switching circuit 53 and to the detection circuit 27 in the light source device 3. In the light source device 3, the detection circuit 27 that has received the identification information based on the identification result changes the stepping motor 2.
4 is driven to dispose a visible light filter (not shown) attached to the turret filter 25 on the optical path of the lamp 23. The visible light emitted from the lamp 23 in the light source device 3 passes through this visible light filter, is further incident on the light incident end of the light guide 21 via the condenser lens 26 and is transmitted, and is inserted into the endoscope insertion portion. The light is spread out from the distal end surface of the distal end portion 11a through the illumination lens 31 and is irradiated on the subject side such as the surface of an organ in a body cavity.

The reflected light from the illuminated subject is incident on an image guide 33 via an objective lens 32 and transmitted, and is transmitted via an eyepiece 34 of the endoscope eyepiece 13 to a normal observation TV camera 4. Is imaged by a visible light CCD (not shown) through an imaging lens (not shown), and photoelectrically converted. Then, the photoelectrically converted image pickup signal is output to the switching circuit 53 in the signal processing device 6, and the identification circuit 70 that has been previously operated is output.
Is switched to the visible light processing circuit 51 by the switching circuit 53 in accordance with the identification information, and is converted into a video signal, and the subject image is displayed on the monitor 7 by the visible light.

Here, when performing special light observation, particularly ultraviolet light observation, the TV camera 4 for normal observation mounted on the endoscope eyepiece 13 is replaced with the TV camera 5 for ultraviolet observation and mounted. The connector 5 b of the ultraviolet observation TV camera 5 is connected to the signal processing device 6. The identification circuit 60 in the signal processing device 6 identifies the connection of the ultraviolet observation TV camera 5 by the identification pin 60 of the ultraviolet observation TV camera 5, and outputs information based on the identification result to the switching circuit 53, and the light source device. 3
Is output to the detection circuit 27 inside.

In the light source device 3, the detection circuit 27 which has received the identification information based on the identification result drives the stepping motor 24, and arranges an ultraviolet filter (not shown) attached to the turret filter 25 on the optical path. The light emitted from the lamp 23 in the light source device 3 is converted into ultraviolet light by passing through the filter 25, is further incident on the light incident end of the light guide 21 via the condenser lens 26, is transmitted, and inserted into the endoscope. The light is expanded from the distal end surface of the distal end portion 11a of the portion 11 via the illumination lens 31 and is irradiated on the subject side such as the surface of an organ in a body cavity.

The subject image excited by the ultraviolet light is
The light enters the image guide 33 via the objective lens 32, is transmitted, and is incident on the TV camera 5 for ultraviolet observation via the eyepiece 34 of the endoscope eyepiece 13. The subject image incident on the ultraviolet observation TV camera 5 is subjected to I.V. I. 43, and this I. I. The light is amplified at 43 and is imaged on an ultraviolet CCD 45 via an imaging lens 44.
It is photoelectrically converted by CD45. Then, the photoelectrically converted image signal is output to the switching circuit 53 in the signal processing device 6, and is switched to the ultraviolet processing circuit 52 by the switching circuit 53 according to the identification information from the identification circuit 70, and is converted into a video signal. The converted image of the subject excited by the ultraviolet rays is displayed on the monitor 7.

As a result, the signal processing device 6 and the light source device 3 are automatically set to the normal observation mode or the special light observation mode only by selectively connecting either the normal observation TV camera 4 or the ultraviolet observation TV camera 5. You can choose
The trouble associated with switching can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, the special light observation T which is detachably and selectively attached to the eyepiece of the optical endoscope.
The light source device 3 and the signal processing device 6 are automatically switched to the normal observation mode or the special light observation mode in conjunction with the selective connection of the ultraviolet observation TV camera 5 or the normal observation TV camera 4 as the V camera. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to use a special light observation filter corresponding to special light such as ultraviolet light or infrared light and an electronic endoscope having a special light CCD. The light source device 3 and the signal processing device 6 may be automatically switched to a normal observation mode or a special light observation mode in conjunction with the selective connection.

The present invention is not limited to only the above-described embodiments, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the invention.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of the endoscope apparatus according to the embodiment. In the first embodiment, an ultraviolet observation TV camera selectively supplied to the endoscope eyepiece unit 13 by selectively supplying ultraviolet rays from the light source device 3 to perform particularly ultraviolet observation as special light observation. In the second embodiment, the subject image excited by the ultraviolet light is picked up and converted into a video signal by the ultraviolet processing circuit 52 in the signal processing device 6. And a signal processing device that selectively supplies infrared light from the light source device 3 and captures a subject image excited by infrared light with an infrared observation TV camera selectively mounted on the endoscope eyepiece unit 13. 6 is converted into a video signal by the infrared processing circuit. The other configuration is the same as that of FIG. 2, and thus the description is omitted, and the same configuration is denoted by the same reference numeral.

As shown in FIG. 3, an endoscope apparatus 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention has an endoscope 2 substantially similar to FIG.
, A light source device 3, a TV camera for special light observation, particularly a TV camera 110 for infrared observation, a signal processing device for TV camera (hereinafter, signal processing device) 120, and a monitor 7. I have.

The infrared observation TV camera 110 is shown in FIG.
The configuration is substantially the same as that of the ultraviolet observation TV camera 5 described in the above section. Instead of the ultraviolet observation filter 41 and the ultraviolet CCD 45 provided in the ultraviolet observation TV camera 5, an infrared observation filter 111 and an infrared It has a CCD 112. The signal processing device 120 has substantially the same configuration as the signal processing device 6 described with reference to FIG.
An infrared processing circuit 121 is provided instead of the ultraviolet processing circuit 52 provided therein. Other configurations are shown in FIG.
This is almost the same as the endoscope device 1 described in.

In the endoscope apparatus 100 configured as described above, when performing special light observation, particularly infrared light observation, a TV camera 110 for infrared observation is attached to the endoscope eyepiece 13,
A connector (not shown) of the infrared observation TV camera 110 is connected to the signal processing device 120.

Identification pin 6 of TV camera 110 for infrared observation
With 0, the identification circuit 70 in the signal processing device 120 identifies the connection of the infrared observation TV camera 110, outputs information based on the identification result to the switching circuit 53, and outputs the information to the detection circuit 27 in the light source device 3. I do.

As in the first embodiment, other identification means include an image pickup signal from a CCD built in the TV camera for normal observation and the TV camera 110 for infrared observation, though not shown. CC built in
The type of D may be identified. Although not shown, a TV camera for normal observation and a TV camera for infrared observation 1
An ID signal output unit for outputting each ID signal is provided in the unit 10, and an ID signal identification unit provided in the signal processing device 120 identifies a connected normal observation TV camera or infrared observation TV camera 110. You may do it.

In the light source device 3, the detecting circuit 27 which has received the identification information based on the identification result drives the stepping motor 24, and arranges an infrared filter (not shown) attached to the turret filter 25 on the optical path. The light emitted from the lamp 23 in the light source device 3 passes through this filter to become an infrared ray of 800 nm to 1000 nm, and further passes through the condenser lens 26 to the light guide 21.
The light is incident on the light incident end of the endoscope 11 and transmitted. The light is then spread from the distal end surface of the distal end portion 11a of the endoscope insertion section 11 through the illumination lens 31 and irradiated on the subject side such as the surface of an organ in a body cavity.

The subject image excited by the infrared rays is
The light enters the image guide 33 via the objective lens 32, is transmitted, and enters the infrared observation TV camera 110 via the eyepiece 34 of the endoscope eyepiece 13. The image of the subject incident on the infrared observation TV camera 110 is transmitted from the imaging lens 42 via the infrared observation filter 111 to the I.V.
I. 43, and this I. I. The light is amplified at 43, formed into an image on an infrared CCD 112 via an imaging lens 44, and photoelectrically converted by the infrared CCD 112. Then, the photoelectrically converted image signal is output to the switching circuit 53 in the signal processing device 120, and is switched to the infrared processing circuit 121 by the switching circuit 53 according to the identification information from the identification circuit 70, and is converted into a video signal. The converted image of the subject excited by the infrared rays is displayed on the monitor 7.

As a result, the signal processing device 120 and the light source device 3 are set to the normal observation mode or the special light observation mode only by selectively connecting either the normal observation TV camera 4 or the infrared observation TV camera 110. Since the selection can be made automatically, the trouble associated with switching can be reduced.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to only the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[Supplementary Note] (Supplementary Note 1) A light source device that selectively supplies visible light or special light, and guides the visible light or special light supplied from the light source device to the subject from the distal end side of the insertion portion. A light guide to irradiate, a visible light imaging unit for imaging reflected light of the subject by the visible light, a special light imaging unit for imaging excitation light of the subject by the special light, and a signal from the visible light imaging unit. A signal processing means for normal observation and a signal processing means for special light observation for signal processing a signal from the imaging means for special light, and the signal processing means for normal observation or the signal for special light observation In an endoscope apparatus capable of selecting one of processing means and selecting a normal observation mode using the visible light and a special light observation mode using the special light, the imaging means for the visible light or the special light In conjunction with the selective connection of any one of the image pickup units, switching to the illumination light of the light source device and any one of the signal processing units corresponding to the selected visible light image pickup unit or the special light image pickup unit. An endoscope apparatus, comprising: switching means.

(Supplementary note 2) The light source device according to Supplementary note 1, wherein an ultraviolet observation filter for generating ultraviolet light as the special light is detachably mounted, and can be automatically selected by the switching means. Endoscope device.

(Supplementary note 3) The light source device according to Supplementary note 1, wherein an infrared observation filter for generating infrared rays as the special light is detachably mounted, and can be automatically selected by the switching means. Endoscope device.

(Additional Item 4) First imaging means for imaging an endoscope observation image under illumination of normal light or a second imaging means for imaging an endoscope observation image under illumination of special light different from the normal light. A connection unit for selectively connecting one of the two imaging units and inputting an imaging signal output from the connected imaging unit; and a case where the first imaging unit is connected to the connection unit. A first processing circuit for processing an imaging signal from the first imaging unit into a video signal for normal light observation, and a second imaging unit when the second imaging unit is connected to the connection unit. A second processing circuit for processing the image signal from the means into a video signal for special light observation, and identifying whether the imaging means connected to the connection unit is for normal light observation or special light observation. And that the first imaging unit is connected to the connection unit based on the identification result. When the second imaging unit is connected to the connection unit, the second imaging unit outputs the imaging signal from the first imaging unit to the first processing circuit.
Switching means for outputting an image signal from the imaging means to the second processing circuit.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention, the normal observation mode or the special light observation mode is automatically selected simply by selecting and connecting either the visible light imaging means or the special light imaging means. Since it is possible, it is possible to reduce the trouble of switching.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram when the TV camera for special light observation of FIG. 1 is attached to an endoscope eyepiece;

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram of an endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope apparatus 2 ... Endoscope (optical endoscope) 3 ... Light source device 4 ... TV camera for normal observation 5 ... TV camera for ultraviolet observation 6 ... Signal processing device (signal processing device for TV camera) 7 ... monitor 13 ... eyepiece 21 ... light guide 23 ... lamp 24 ... stepping motor 25 ... turret filter 27 ... detection circuit 33 ... image guide 41 ... ultraviolet observation filter 43 ... I. I. (Image intensifier) 45 ... CCD for ultraviolet light 51 ... Visible light processing circuit (visible light observation processing circuit) 52 ... Ultraviolet light processing circuit (ultraviolet light observation processing circuit) 53 ... Switching circuit 60 ... Identification pin 70 ... Identification circuit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Akihiko Mochida 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Kotaro Ogasawara 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Mitsuru Ito 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo F-term within Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. 4C061 AA00 BB01 BB08 CC06 DD00 LL03 NN01 QQ02 QQ04 QQ09 RR04 RR05 RR14 RR18 RR22 RR26 SS01

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A light source device for selectively supplying visible light or special light, a light guide for guiding visible light or special light supplied from the light source device and irradiating a subject from the distal end side of an insertion portion; An imaging unit for visible light for imaging reflected light of the subject by the visible light, an imaging unit for special light for imaging excitation light of the subject by the special light, and a normal observation for signal processing of a signal from the imaging unit for visible light Signal processing means for special light observation and signal processing means for signal processing from the special light imaging means, and selects one of the normal observation signal processing means or the special light observation signal processing means. And an endoscope apparatus capable of selecting a normal observation mode using the visible light and a special light observation mode using the special light, wherein either the visible light imaging unit or the special light imaging unit is used. Switching means for switching to one of the signal processing means and the illumination light of the light source device according to the selected visible light imaging means or the special light imaging means in conjunction with the selective connection. An endoscope apparatus characterized in that: