Endoscope observation system

Abstract

An endoscope observation system for in vivo cellular observation is disclosed that includes an illumination optical system having a light source for supplying illumination light to an object, an objective optical system that forms a magnified image of the object such that the absolute value of the image scale factor exceeds unity, and an image pickup unit that detects the magnified image. The illumination optical system is provided with a wavelength selection means for dividing, among the blue, green, and red wavelength ranges in the illumination light from the light source, either the blue wavelength range or the red wavelength range into two wavelength bands T 1 and T 2 , with the wavelength band T 1 being nearer the green wavelength range than is the wavelength band T 2 , and light in the wavelength band T 1 is prevented from illuminating the object. An in vivo cellular observation method is also disclosed using an endoscope.

1 - 13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . An endoscope observation system comprising: 
 an image pickup unit that includes a magnifying objective optical system having an image scale factor with an absolute value that is greater than unity; and    a light source for supplying illumination light, the light source being an LED that emits single color light rays directly onto an object to be observed by the endoscope.    
   
   
       15 . The endoscope observation system according to  claim 14 , and further comprising: 
 an elongated portion adapted for insertion into a channel installed in another endoscope; wherein    the image pickup unit is mounted at a distal end of the elongated portion.    
   
   
       16 . (canceled)