PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an electronic endoscope that has an endoscope insertion part of which a rigidity varying structure avoids the necessity of increasing an outer diameter even though the rigidity is variable.SOLUTION: An electromagnetic coil 71 is wound around an operation cable 51 inserted into a tubular endoscope insertion part and an internal surface of the insertion part is provided with a spiral tube 56 made of a soft magnetic material. When a current supply circuit 75 supplies current to the electromagnetic coil 71, a magnetic force is generated at the electromagnetic coil 71, and then the operation cable 51 is attached to the spiral tube 56.COPYRIGHT: (C)2015,JPO&INPIT【課題】剛性が可変でありながら、その剛性可変構造により外径を大きくする必要がない内視鏡挿入部を有する電子内視鏡を得る。【解決手段】管状の内視鏡挿入部に挿通された操作ケーブル51には電磁石コイル71が巻回され、挿入部の内壁面には、軟磁性材料から成る螺旋管56が設けられる。電磁石コイル71に電流供給回路75から電流が供給されると、電磁石コイル71に磁力が発生し、操作ケーブル51が螺旋管56に吸着される。【選択図】図4
