Endoscope apparatus for processing a picture image of an object based on a selected wavelength range

An endoscope apparatus comprising:

• a light source for emitting a light illuminating an object to be imaged;
• an endoscope body having an elongated insertable portion with an observing widow and illuminating window in the tip portion of said insertable portion, a light transmitter for transmitting said light of said light source and for emitting said light to an object from said illuminating window, and an image forming optical system for receiving returning light based on illuminating light having different wavelength ranges from said object entering through said observing window and forming an object image;
• an imaging means for imaging said object image formed by said image forming optical system and for outputting said object image as an electric signal;
• a signal processing means for receiving and processing said electric signal of said imaging means based on said illuminating light having different wavelength ranges, and for outputting a picture image signal, wherein said picture image signal outputted from said signal processing means can be directly displayed as a picture image of an object;
• a wavelength range separating means for separating said object image into a plurality of wavelength ranges;
• a selecting means for selecting a wavelength range clearly representing a state of said object from among a plurality of said separated wavelength ranges;
• and
• an operating means operably coupled to said signal processing means for receiving and processing said picture image signal which can be directly displayed as a picture image of an object, wherein said picture image signal is processed by said operating means based on said wavelength range selected by said selecting means and for outputting a signal which when displayed clearly represents said state of said object.