JP2001299679A - Adaptor for changing light passage and endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an adaptor for changing a light passage and an endoscope allowing an operator to observe the inner space of a narrow device, etc., in a required direction by smoothly inserting the adaptor and the endoscope into the inner space. SOLUTION: A direct side view adaptor 10 is attached to the head part 1 of the endoscope. The light forming the image of an object located in the direct view direction F is made to pass through an opening 10c to be guided to the upper half of an object lens 13, and the light penetrating the upper half of the object lens 13 is made to form an image on an imaging element 14. The light forming the image of the object located in the side view direction S is made to reflect on a mirror 11 to be guided to the object lens 13, and the light transmitting the lower half of the object lens 13 is made to form an image on the image pick-up element 14. Therefore, images in the direct view direction F and in the side view direction S can be picked up at the same time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an optical path changing adapter attachable to an image pickup section for picking up an image and an endoscope having an image pickup section for picking up an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an industrial endoscope has been used on a production line of a factory for observing the inside of a production facility or a product which is not directly visible from the outside for inspection or maintenance. This industrial endoscope includes an elongated imaging unit having an imaging device or the like that captures an image inside the device or the like, and by inserting this imaging unit inside the device or the like, it is difficult to directly see from the outside. This is for observing the inside of the device or the like.

In the endoscope described above, when observing the inside of the apparatus, there is a case where it is desired to observe not the imaging direction of the imaging unit of the endoscope, ie, the direct viewing direction, but the side direction of the imaging unit, ie, the side viewing direction. In such a case, the side view direction can be observed by attaching the side view mirror to the imaging unit of the endoscope. There is also an endoscope configured to be able to observe a direct viewing direction or a side viewing direction by moving a position of a side-viewing reflection member provided in an imaging unit of the endoscope.

[0004]

However, in the endoscope in which the above-mentioned side-view mirror is attached to the image pickup section, it is possible to observe only the side direction, that is, the side-view direction in which the image pickup section of the endoscope is inserted. Therefore, the user cannot observe the insertion direction, that is, the direct viewing direction. For this reason, when the imaging unit is inserted into a device having a complicated structure, it is very difficult to sense the direction of the insertion direction, and the endoscope cannot be inserted smoothly into the device or the like.

In an endoscope capable of switching between a direct-view direction and a side-view direction, the endoscope can be smoothly inserted into a device having a complicated structure by switching to the direct-view direction when the imaging unit is inserted. be able to. However, it is necessary to provide a mechanism for switching the position of the reflective member for side viewing, an operation unit for performing the switching operation at hand of the endoscope, and the like, and the structure of the endoscope itself becomes complicated. In addition, since it is necessary to provide a mechanism for switching the position of the side-viewing reflection member and the side-viewing reflection member in the imaging unit, the size of the imaging unit becomes large, and the inside of the device for inserting the imaging unit of the endoscope is required. When the space is small, the imaging unit cannot be inserted, and the inside of a device or the like having a small internal space cannot be observed.

An object of the present invention is to provide an optical path changing adapter and an endoscope which can be smoothly inserted into a device or the like having a small internal space so that a desired internal direction can be observed.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention (1)
An optical path changing adapter according to a first aspect of the present invention is an optical path changing adapter that can be attached to an imaging unit for imaging an image. First light guiding means for guiding the constituent light to the image pickup unit, and changing the light path of the light forming the image of the object to be imaged, which is located in a direction different from the image pickup direction of the image pickup unit, to pick up the light whose path has been changed. And a second light guiding means for guiding the light to the section.

In the optical path changing adapter according to the present invention, the light constituting the image of the object located in the image pickup direction of the image pickup section is guided to the image pickup section by the first light guide section and the second light guide section. The optical unit changes the optical path of the light constituting the image of the object located in a direction different from the imaging direction of the imaging unit, and guides the light to the imaging unit. Can be imaged by the imaging unit, and the image of the object to be imaged located in a direction different from the imaging direction of the imaging unit can be simultaneously imaged by the imaging unit.

Therefore, with a simple configuration in which the optical path changing adapter is attached to the imaging section, the direct viewing direction and a desired direction different from the direct viewing direction can be simultaneously observed without increasing the size of the imaging section. . As a result, it is possible to smoothly insert the device into a device or the like having a narrow internal space while observing the direct viewing direction, and to observe a desired internal direction after the insertion.

(2) Second invention The light path changing adapter according to the second invention is a light path changing adapter according to the first invention, wherein the second light guide means is provided in the imaging direction of the imaging unit. A light reflecting member that reflects incident light from an imaging direction other than the imaging direction to the imaging range and guides light constituting an image of the object to be captured located in a direction different from the imaging direction of the imaging unit to the imaging unit.

In this case, the light reflecting member reflects the incident light from the direction other than the imaging direction into the imaging range of the imaging unit in the imaging direction, and forms an image of the object to be imaged located in a direction different from the imaging direction of the imaging unit. Can be guided to the imaging unit, so that the imaging unit can capture an image of an object to be captured located in a direction different from the imaging direction of the imaging unit. In addition, the remaining light in the imaging range in the imaging direction of the imaging unit that is not reflected by the light reflecting member is directly guided to the imaging unit without being reflected, and the imaging target positioned in the imaging direction of the imaging unit, that is, in the direct viewing direction. Can also be captured by the imaging unit. Therefore, the direct viewing direction and the desired direction different from the direct viewing direction can be simultaneously observed with a simple configuration using the light reflecting member.

(3) Third invention An optical path changing adapter according to a third aspect of the present invention is the optical path changing adapter according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the first light guide means is arranged in the imaging direction of the imaging section. A light reflecting member, which is fixed in a state of being inclined with respect to the imaging direction of the imaging unit, and which constitutes an image of an object to be imaged located on the side in the imaging direction of the imaging unit. Is a mirror that reflects light and guides the light to the imaging unit.

In this case, the light constituting the image of the object located in the imaging direction of the imaging unit can be guided to the imaging unit by the aperture provided in the imaging direction of the imaging unit, and the imaging direction of the imaging unit can be adjusted. The light that forms the image of the object to be imaged positioned on the side in the imaging direction of the imaging unit can be reflected and guided to the imaging unit by a mirror that is fixed in an inclined state with respect to the imaging unit.
Therefore, the image of the object in the imaging direction of the imaging unit, that is, in the direct viewing direction can be captured by the imaging unit, and the image of the object located in the side viewing direction can be captured by the imaging unit. Therefore, with a very simple configuration using one mirror, it is possible to simultaneously observe the direct viewing direction and the side viewing direction.

(4) Fourth Invention An endoscope according to a fourth invention is an endoscope having an image pickup section for picking up an image. First light guiding means for guiding light constituting an image to an imaging unit, and light having an optical path changed by changing an optical path of light constituting an image of an object located in a direction different from an imaging direction of the imaging unit. And second light guiding means for guiding the light to the imaging unit.

In the endoscope according to the present invention, the light constituting the image of the object to be imaged, which is located in the image pickup direction of the image pickup unit for taking an image by the first light guide means, is guided to the image pickup unit. Since the optical path of the light constituting the image of the object located in a direction different from the imaging direction of the imaging unit is changed by the second light guide means and guided to the imaging unit, the imaging direction of the imaging unit, that is, the direct viewing direction The image of the object to be imaged can be captured by the imaging unit, and the image of the object to be imaged located in a direction different from the imaging direction of the imaging unit can be simultaneously captured by the imaging unit.

Therefore, with a simple configuration using the first and second light guide means, it is possible to simultaneously observe the direct viewing direction and a desired direction different from the direct viewing direction without increasing the size of the imaging unit too much. Can be. As a result, it is possible to smoothly insert the device into a device or the like having a narrow internal space while observing the direct viewing direction, and to observe a desired internal direction after the insertion.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As an example of an optical path changing adapter according to the present invention, an industrial optical system used for observing the inside of a production facility or a product which is not directly visible from the outside on a production line of a factory or the like. The direct-view adapter used for the endoscope will be described. The optical path changing adapter of the present invention is suitably used for industrial endoscopes such as a flexible endoscope having a flexible insertion portion and a rigid endoscope having a rigid insertion portion. The present invention is not limited to this, and if it can be attached to the imaging unit, it can be similarly used for an endoscope or an imaging device for other uses.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an industrial endoscope equipped with a direct-view adapter according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The endoscope shown in FIG. 1 has a head unit 1 as an imaging unit, a flexible tube 2, a grip unit 3, and a cable 4 from the distal end side.
And a connector 5, and a front-view adapter 10 is detachably attached to the tip of the head unit 1.

The head unit 1 has an elongated shape that can be inserted into a production facility or a product that is not directly visible from the outside with the direct-view adapter 10 attached, and has an objective lens and a CCD (charge) inside. An image pickup unit having an objective optical system including an image pickup element (see FIG. 2) such as a coupling element is provided, and an image inside the apparatus or the like is picked up by the image pickup unit.

The configuration of the image pickup unit is not particularly limited to the above example. Instead of providing an image pickup device or the like inside the head unit 1, an image guide using an optical fiber or the like or a relay lens system is used. The image of the imaged object formed by the lens or the like may be transmitted from the head unit to the eyepiece unit or the imaging device or the like as light to obtain the image.

In this embodiment, the illumination means for illuminating the part to be observed is omitted, but the illumination means comprising a white LED (light emitting diode) or the like in the head unit 1 or the controller is provided. A light source such as a built-in halogen lamp or a meta-halide lamp, or a light guide for transmitting light output from a light source unit including the light source to the head unit 1 may be provided.

The flexible tube 2 is made of a helical tube or the like which has flexibility and can be bent into an arbitrary shape and has a predetermined shape holding force so as to be able to hold the shape after bending. A cable (see FIG. 2) for connecting to the grip portion 3, supplying power and signals for operating the image sensor to the inside thereof, and transmitting video signals and the like output from the image sensor to the grip portion 3. ) Is inserted.

The grip portion 3 is formed into a shape that is easy for a user to hold with one hand, and has a signal processing circuit (not shown) for processing a video signal and the like transmitted via a cable therein. The user holds the grip unit 3 with one hand and performs various operations related to imaging as an operation unit.

The connector 5 is a controller (not shown)
The video signal and the like are output from the grip unit 3 to the controller via the cable 4 and the connector 5, and various control signals, power, and the like are supplied from the controller to the grip unit 3. The controller processes and records image data and displays an image captured by the head unit 1 on a display unit. When a light guide is used as a light source, a universal cord or the like in which a cable and a light guide are provided may be used instead of the cable 4.

With the above configuration, the position of the head 1 is adjusted by bending the flexible tube 2 into a desired shape.
It is possible to observe the inside of a device or the like that is not directly visible from the outside.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing the configuration of the direct-view adapter 10 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a direct view in a state where the direct-view adapter 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view of the direct-view adapter 10 seen from the direction, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the direct-view adapter 10 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, an objective lens 13 and an image pickup device 14 are fixed inside the head unit 1.
An image of the object to be imaged is formed on the image plane of the image sensor 14 by the objective lens 13. The imaging element 14 converts the light focused on the image plane into an electric signal, and the converted video signal is output to a signal processing circuit in the grip unit 3 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the direct-view adapter 10 is formed of a substantially cylindrical integral part, and the outer peripheral portion of the head 1 is provided on the head 1 side of the direct-view adapter 10. The tip fitting portion 10b to be fitted is formed integrally. By inserting the head part 1 into the tip fitting part 10b,
The tip fitting portion 10b is fitted to the head portion 1. The direct-view adapter 10 is not particularly limited to an integral part, and may be composed of an assembly of a plurality of parts.

The direct-view adapter 10 is fixed with the fixing screw 12 in the above-mentioned fitting state, and the direct-view adapter 10 is completely fixed to the head unit 1. When sufficient fixing strength can be obtained, the fixing screw 12 is omitted, and the adapter 10 for direct view is fixed to the head 1 by fitting the distal end fitting portion 10b and the outer peripheral portion of the head 1. You may.

In the lower part on the distal end side of the direct-view adapter 10,
The mirror holding unit 10a is formed integrally with the mirror holding unit 10a in a state where the second light guide unit and the mirror 11, which is a light reflecting member, are inclined by 45 degrees with respect to the imaging direction of the head unit 1, ie, the direct viewing direction F. Fixed. Therefore,
Light constituting an image of the object located in the side viewing direction S inclined at 90 degrees with respect to the direct viewing direction F is reflected by the mirror 11 and guided to the lower half of the objective lens 13. Objective lens 1
The light transmitted through the lower half of 3 is imaged on the image sensor 14,
An image in the side viewing direction S is captured.

The second light guide means and the light reflecting member are not particularly limited to the mirror 11 described above, but may change the optical path of the light constituting the image of the object located in a direction different from the imaging direction. Other optical components such as a prism may be used as long as the light whose optical path has been changed can be imaged on the image sensor 14. The angle at which the mirror is fixed is not particularly limited to the above example, and can be fixed at various angles. In this case, an image in a direction corresponding to the tilt angle can be obtained together with an image in the direct viewing direction.

The upper half of the head 1, that is, the portion where the mirror 11 is not disposed, is cut off at the distal end of the adapter 10 for direct side view, and an opening 10 c which is a first light guide means is provided. . Therefore, the light constituting the image of the object located in the direct viewing direction F passes through the opening 10c and is guided to the upper half of the objective lens 13. The light transmitted through the upper half of the objective lens 13 forms an image on the image sensor 14 and an image in the direct viewing direction F is captured.

The first light guide means is provided in the opening 1
The optical component is not particularly limited to 0c, and another optical component such as a cover glass may be used as long as the light constituting the image of the object located in the imaging direction can be formed on the image sensor 14.

With the above configuration, in the present embodiment, an image in the direct viewing direction F captured by the upper half of the image sensor 14 and an image in the side viewing direction S captured by the lower half of the image sensor 14 are simultaneously connected to the cable 15. The image is output to the controller via the grip 3 and the like, so that the image in the direct viewing direction F can be displayed on the upper half of the display unit of the controller, and the image in the side viewing direction S can be simultaneously displayed on the lower half thereof. it can.

Accordingly, the simple configuration in which the substantially cylindrical direct-view adapter 10 to which one mirror is mounted is attached to the head 1 allows the head 1 to be viewed in the direct view direction F without increasing the size of the head 1 too much. And the side-viewing direction S can be simultaneously observed, and can be smoothly inserted into a device or the like having a small internal space while viewing the image in the direct-viewing direction F, and the side-viewing direction S inside the device or the like can be smoothly observed. Can be observed as it is.

The adapter 10 for direct side view includes the head 1
The adapter 10 is configured so as to be attachable to and detachable from the front-view adapter 10 with the optical axis direction of the objective optical system of the head unit 1 as the center of rotation.
Is rotated with respect to the head unit 1 and the position of the mirror 11 with respect to the image sensor 14 is adjusted, so that the position at which the image in the side viewing direction S is displayed on the display screen can be changed. An image in the side viewing direction S can be displayed.

Next, the shape and the like of the mirror 11 shown in FIG. 2 will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a front view of the mirror 11 shown in FIG. 2 and a front view showing a configuration of another mirror.

As shown in FIG. 5A, a semicircular mirror 11 is used for the direct-view adapter 10 shown in FIG. 2, and a portion reflected by the mirror 11 becomes an imaging range for side-viewing. The upper semicircular portion (hatched portion) where the mirror 11 is not disposed is an imaging range for direct viewing, and the ratio between the imaging range for side viewing and the imaging range for direct viewing is 1: 1. In this case, the image in the direct viewing direction and the image in the side viewing direction are displayed at a ratio of 1: 1 and both the image in the direct viewing direction and the image in the side viewing direction can be displayed in an easily viewable state.

The shape of the mirror is not particularly limited to the above example, and mirrors having various shapes can be used.
For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, when an annular mirror 11a is used, a portion of the mirror 11a, that is, an annular outer peripheral portion becomes an imaging range for side viewing, and the mirror 11a
The hole (hatched portion) at the center of is the imaging range for direct viewing. In this case, the imaging range for side viewing is larger than the imaging range for direct viewing, and the image in the side viewing direction is displayed in a wider range than the image in the direct viewing direction. As described above, the ratio between the imaging range for direct viewing and the imaging range for side viewing is not particularly limited to the example of 1: 1 as shown in FIG. 5A, and is set to various ratios as necessary. can do.

When the mirror 11b shown in FIG. 5C is used, a substantially rectangular notch is provided above the circular mirror 11b, and the mirror 1 excluding this notch is provided.
The region 1b is an imaging range for side viewing, and the notch (hatched portion) is an imaging range for direct viewing. In this case, the imaging range for direct viewing is defined on one side of the imaging range for side viewing, and the image in the direct viewing direction is displayed on one side of the image in the side viewing direction. In addition to being able to be displayed, an image in the direct viewing direction can also be displayed auxiliary.

As described above, if a part of the observation area is set as the imaging range for direct viewing and the other part is set as the imaging range for side viewing, if the direct viewing direction and the side viewing direction can be observed simultaneously, the outer shape of the mirror becomes However, the present invention is not particularly limited to the above examples, and mirrors having various external shapes can be used. In addition, the shape of the mirror is not particularly limited to a planar shape, and by using a mirror having a concave surface or a convex surface, a part of the side view direction can be enlarged or a wider portion of the side view direction can be observed. You may do so.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of a direct-view adapter according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The direct-view adapter 30 shown in FIG. 6 includes two reflecting mirrors 31a and 31b.
This is for observing images in two side viewing directions S1 and S2.

As shown in FIG.
Is formed of a substantially cylindrical integral part, and a front end fitting portion 30c that fits with the outer peripheral portion of the head portion 1 is integrally formed on the head portion 1 side of the adapter 30 for direct view. The distal end fitting portion 30c is fitted to the head portion 1 as in the first embodiment, and is fixed with a fixing screw 32.

In the vicinity of the objective lens 13 of the direct side view adapter 30, a mirror holding portion 30b is integrally formed, and a substantially crescent-shaped mirror 31b as a second light guide means and a light reflecting member is provided on the head portion 1. The mirror holding unit 3 is tilted 45 degrees counterclockwise with respect to the optical axis direction, that is, the direct viewing direction F.
0b, and an opening 30f is provided in a portion facing the mirror 31b.

Thus, the light constituting the image of the object located in the side view direction S1 is reflected by the mirror 31b after passing through the opening 30f, and is guided to the lower third of the objective lens 13. I will Light transmitted through the lower third of the objective lens 13 forms an image on the image sensor 14, and an image in the side viewing direction S1 is captured.

In the vicinity of the opening 30f of the direct-view adapter 30, a mirror holding portion 30a is integrally formed, and another second holding portion 30a is formed.
And a substantially crescent-shaped mirror 31a, which is a light-reflecting member, is fixed to the mirror holding portion 30a in a state in which the mirror 31a is clockwise inclined by 45 degrees with respect to the direct viewing direction F, and an opening is provided in a portion facing the mirror 31a. A part 30e is provided.

Thus, the light constituting the image of the object located in the side view direction S2 is reflected by the mirror 31a after passing through the opening 30e, and is guided to the upper third of the objective lens 13. I will Light transmitted through the upper third of the objective lens 13 is imaged on the image sensor 14, and an image in the side viewing direction S2 is captured.

At the tip of the adapter 30 for direct side view, there is provided a first substantially rectangular shape having an intermediate shape when a circle is divided into three equal parts in parallel.
An opening 30d is provided as a light guiding means. Therefore, the light constituting the image of the object located in the direct viewing direction F is guided to the intermediate portion of the objective lens 13 through the opening 30d. Light transmitted through the intermediate portion of the objective lens 13 is imaged on the image sensor 14, and an image in the direct viewing direction F is captured.

The number of mirrors provided in the direct-view adapter is not particularly limited to the above example, and may be three or more. Also, a direct viewing direction F and two side viewing directions S
The openings 30d to 30f are provided in each direction of S1 and S2.
An optical member such as a cover glass may be disposed in the openings 30d to 30f as long as light constituting an image of the object to be imaged located in each direction can be incident.

With the above configuration, in the present embodiment, an image in the side viewing direction S1 captured by the lower third of the image sensor 14 and an image captured by the upper third of the image sensor 14 are provided. The image in the side-viewing direction S2 and the image in the direct-viewing direction F captured by the remaining intermediate portion of the image sensor 14 are simultaneously output to the controller via the cable 15 and the grip portion 3 and the like. 2
Images in two side viewing directions can be displayed simultaneously.

Therefore, with a simple configuration in which the substantially cylindrical direct-view adapter 30 to which the two mirrors are mounted is attached to the head 1, the size of the head 1 can be increased without increasing the size of the head 1. And the two side-viewing directions S1 and S2 can be simultaneously observed, and can be smoothly inserted into a device or the like having a small internal space while viewing an image in the direct-viewing direction. Two side viewing directions can be observed simultaneously.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the direct-view adapter is attached as a separate part to the head of the endoscope has been described. However, the direct-view adapter may be formed integrally with the head. For example, a cylindrical exterior member of the head portion may be extended in the direct viewing direction, and a mirror may be fixed to the extended portion. In this case, in addition to the above-described effects, it is not necessary to provide a distal end fitting portion or the like in the adapter for direct view, and the head portion can be further reduced in size.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of an industrial endoscope to which a direct-view adapter according to a first embodiment of the present invention is attached.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a direct-view adapter shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the direct-view adapter shown in FIG. 1 viewed from a direct-view direction in a state where the adapter is attached to a head unit.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the direct-view adapter shown in FIG. 1 is attached to a head unit.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the mirror shown in FIG. 2 and a front view showing the configuration of another mirror.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of a direct-view adapter according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Head part 2 Flexible tube 3 Grip part 4 Cable 5 Connector 10, 30 Direct-view adapter 10a, 30a, 30b Mirror holding part 10b, 30c Tip fitting part 10c, 30d-30f Opening 11,11a, 11b, 31a , 31b Mirror 12, 32 Fixing screw 13 Objective lens 14 Image sensor 15 Cable

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H040 AA01 BA01 CA23 CA25 DA52 GA03 GA11 4C061 AA29 BB01 CC06 DD03 FF40 GG11 LL01 NN01 PP19

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An optical path changing adapter attachable to an image pickup unit for picking up an image, the light path changing adapter guiding light constituting an image of an object to be imaged positioned in an image pickup direction of the image pickup unit to the image pickup unit. A light guiding unit, and a second light guiding unit that changes an optical path of light constituting an image of the object to be imaged positioned in a direction different from an imaging direction of the imaging unit and guides the light whose optical path is changed to the imaging unit. An optical path changing adapter comprising: an optical unit. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the second light guide unit reflects an incident light from an imaging direction other than the imaging direction in an imaging range of the imaging unit in the imaging direction, and is located in a direction different from the imaging direction of the imaging unit. The optical path changing adapter according to claim 1, wherein the adapter is a light reflecting member that guides light forming an image of an object to the imaging unit. 3. The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the first light guide unit is an opening provided in an imaging direction of the imaging unit, and the light reflecting member is fixed in a state inclined with respect to the imaging direction of the imaging unit. 3. The optical path changing adapter according to claim 2, wherein the mirror is a mirror that reflects light constituting an image of an object to be imaged positioned on the side of the imaging unit in the imaging direction and guides the light to the imaging unit. . 4. An endoscope having an imaging unit for photographing an image, wherein a first light guide that guides light constituting an image of an object to be imaged positioned in an imaging direction of the imaging unit to the imaging unit. Light means, and second light guide means for changing the optical path of light constituting an image of the object to be imaged, which is located in a direction different from the imaging direction of the imaging unit, and guiding the light whose optical path has been changed to the imaging unit. An endoscope comprising: