PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To permit observation to be carried out using a clear image by preventing halation in an image constructed using high-intensity light such as light specularly reflected at the surface of a subject.SOLUTION: There is provided a scanning endoscope 1 comprising: an optical scanning unit 10 that changes the emission angle of illuminating light emitted from the tip of an insertion part 2, thereby, to scan the emitted illuminating light over a subject a plurality of light-receiving units 13 that are provided with spaces therebetween in the peripheral direction of the tip of the insertion part 2, and that receive returning light that returns from the subject as a result of the scanning with the illuminating light by the optical scanning unit 10 a light detection unit 14 that detects the intensity of the returning light received by the light-receiving unit 13 a returning light selection unit 15 that selects the returning light, that is determined to have intensity that is lower than a predetermined threshold value, detected by the light detection unit 14 and a storage unit 5 that associates and stores the intensity of the returning light selected by the returning light selection unit 15 and the scanning position of the illuminating light scanned by the optical scanning unit 10.COPYRIGHT: (C)2013,JPO&INPIT【課題】被写体の表面における正反射光等の強度の高い光によって構築される画像にハレーションが発生することを防止して、鮮明な画像による観察を行う。【解決手段】挿入部2の先端からの照明光の射出角度を変化させることにより、射出された照明光を被写体において走査させる光走査部10と、挿入部2の先端に周方向に間隔をあけて複数設けられ、光走査部10によって照明光が走査された結果、被写体から戻る戻り光を受光する複数の受光部13と、該受光部13により受光された戻り光の強度を検出する光検出部14と、該光検出部14により検出される戻り光の強度が所定の閾値以下となる戻り光を選択する戻り光選択部15と、該戻り光選択部15により選択された戻り光の強度と、光走査部10による照明光の走査位置とを対応付けて記憶する記憶部5とを備える走査型内視鏡1を提供する。【選択図】図1
