Endoscope apparatus

Claim 2

An endoscope apparatus characterized by comprising: an endoscope (11) having an insertion tube (12) which is inserted into a body cavity, a distal end portion (23) provided at a front end of said insertion tube (12), a microwave antenna (27) provided at said distal end portion for receiving biological radiant microwaves radiated with directivity from vital tissues in the body cavity and for radiating microwaves for treatment to the vital tissues with directivity, and a microwave transmission line (20) connected to said microwave antenna (27) for transmitting said microwaves for treatment; means (33) for receiving said biological radiant microwaves transmitted through said microwave transmission line (20) to output a reception signal corresponding to the intensity of said biological radiant microwaves; and displaying means (22) for processing said reception signal from said receiving means (33, 34) to display the condition of said vital tissues.

Claim 3

An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said microwave antenna (27) is composed of an antenna rod (27a) and a reflector (27b) for providing directivity to said microwaves.

Claim 4

An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said microwave antenna (27) is detachably mounted to said distal end portion (23).

Claim 5

An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said transmission line comprises a coaxial cable (20).

Claim 6

An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 4, characterized in that reception and transmission of said microwaves are selectively changed over by switching means (32).

Claim 7

An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said reception signal from said receiving means (33) is input into arithmetic means (34) for calculating and processing said reception signal to compute a temperature of the vital tissues corresponding to the microwave intensity and for inputting temperature data to said displaying means (22) for display.

Claim 8

An endoscope apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said reflector (27b) of said microwave antenna (27) has a parabolic reflective surface and a front opening, and a protective membrane (27c) is liquid-tightly fitted over said opening.

Claim 9

An endoscope apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that said protective membrane (27c) is made of a material having a low dielectric constant.

Claim 10

An endoscope apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that said protective membrane (27c) is made of vinyl chloride.

Claim 11

An endoscope apparatus according to claim 2 or 7, characterized in that said microwave antenna (27) has a cover (27d) provided on the outer surface of said reflector (27b), said cover being made of a high-heat-resistant insulating material of high strength.

Claim 12

An endoscope apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that said cover (27d) is made of an epoxy resin.

Claim 13

An endoscope apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that said cover (27d) is made of ceramic.

Claim 14

An encoscope apparatus characterized by comprising: an endoscope (11) having an insertion tube (12) which is inserted into a body cavity, a distal end portion (23) provided at a front end of said insertion tube, a microwave antenna (27) provided at said distal end portion (23) for receiving biological radiant microwaves radiated with directivity from vital tissues in said body cavity and for radiating microwaves for treatment to said vital tissues with directivity, and a microwave transmission line (20) connected to said microwave antenna to transmit said microwaves for treatment; an oscillator (37) for oscillating to produce said microwaves for treatment; means (33) for receiving said biological radiant microwaves to output a reception signal corresponding to the intensity of said biological radiant microwaves; a switch circuit (32) connected to said oscillator (37) and said receiving means to selectively connect said oscillator or said receiving means through said microwave transmission line (20) to said microwave antenna (27); arithmetic means (34) for processing said reception signal from said receiving means (33) and for calculating the temperature of the vital tissues corresponding to the intensity of said biological radiant microwaves to output temperature data; and means (22) connected to said arithmetic means for displaying said temperature data.

Claim 15

An encoscope apparatus characterized by comprising: an endoscope (11) having an insertion tube (12) which is inserted into a body cavity, a distal end portion (23) provided at a front end of said insertion tube, a microwave antenna (27) provided at said distal end portion (23) for receiving biological radiant microwaves radiated with directivity from vital tissues in said body cavity and for radiating microwaves for treatment to said vital tissues with directivity, and a microwave transmission line (20) connected to said microwave antenna to transmit said microwaves for treatment; an oscillator (37) for oscillating to produce said microwaves for treatment; means (33) for receiving said biological radiant microwaves to output a reception signal corresponding to the intensity of said biological radiant microwaves; a switch circuit (32) connected to said oscillator (37) and said receiving means to selectively connect said oscillator or said receiving means through said microwave transmission line (20) to said microwave antenna (27); arithmetic means (34) for processing said reception signal from said receiving means (33) and for calculating the temperature of the vital tissues corresponding to the intensity of said biological radiant microwaves to output temperature data; and means (22) connected to said arithmetic means for displaying said temperature data.