PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope apparatus that can reduce the amount of energy consumed to drive a piezoelectric vibrator for generating surface acoustic wave on an inspection window.SOLUTION: The endoscope apparatus 1 includes: a transparent member 32 for an observation window a piezoelectric vibrator 37 for generating ultrasonic vibration f an operation circuit 61 for outputting an operation signal when the operation switch 13 is operated a diffraction grating 40 for converting the ultrasonic vibration f generated by the piezoelectric vibrator 37 into a surface acoustic wave Φ propagated along an outer surface of the transparent member 32 a drive signal supply system 55 for supplying a drive signal to the piezoelectric vibrator 37 a power supply 51 for supplying power to the drive signal supply system 55 a switch circuit 53 for switching between a mode for outputting the drive signal to the piezoelectric vibrator 37 from the drive signal supply system 55 and a mode for stopping the output and a control section 52 for controlling the switch circuit 53 to intermittently switch between the mode for outputting the drive signal to the piezoelectric vibrator 37 when an operational signal is being input from the operation circuit 61 and the mode for stopping the output.COPYRIGHT: (C)2013,JPO&INPIT【課題】 観察窓上に表面弾性波を発生させる圧電振動子を駆動する消費電力を低減することのできる内視鏡装置の提供。【解決手段】 内視鏡装置1は、観察窓の透明部材32と、超音波振動fを発生する圧電振動子37と、操作スイッチ13の操作に基づき操作信号を出力する操作回路61と、圧電振動子37で発生した超音波振動fを透明部材32の外表面に伝播する表面弾性波Φに変換する回折格子40と、圧電振動子37に駆動信号を供給する駆動信号供給系55と、駆動信号供給系55へ電源供給を行う電源51と、駆動信号供給系55から圧電振動子37への駆動信号の出力と停止を切替えるスイッチ回路53と、操作回路61により操作信号が入力されている間において圧電振動子37への駆動信号の出力と停止を間欠的に切替えるようにスイッチ回路53を制御する制御部52と、を備える。【選択図】図2
