Endoscope apparatus having an insertion channel

1. An endoscope apparatus comprising:

a flexible slender insertion section inserted from its distal end into a to-be-inspected space, the insertion section being constructed from a distal portion for picking up an observation image, a bendable portion to be bent, and a slender flexible tube portion, which are coupled, and having a proximal portion on an opposite side of a distal portion of the flexible tube portion;

a pistol grip portion to be gripped by an operator, the pistol grip having a longitudinal axis extending from a first end to a second end that is opposite the first end,

an operation section coupled to a proximal end of the insertion section, the operation section, coupled to the first end of the pistol grip portion, having a bending operation portion which bends the bendable portion, and a display portion formed of a display panel which displays the observation image provided on a frame integrally attached to the first end of the pistol grip portion, and

wherein the insertion section has a channel provided so that a treatment instrument extends out from a distal open end provided on the distal portion, and wherein a proximal open end for inserting the treatment instrument into the channel is provided at the second end of the pistol grip portion.

2. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the pistol grip portion has a grip which can be gripped by one hand of the operator.

3. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein

said pistol grip portion has a casing and a forceps-port constructing member, and

the forceps-port constructing member is coupled to the second end of said grip end so as to provide a forceps-port.

4. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein said frame has a connection portion detachable from said pistol grip portion.

5. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the display portion is detachable from the pistol grip portion.

6. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the bending operation portion is structured by a joystick.

7. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the bending operation portion is structured by a trackball.

8. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the bending operation portion is a trackpad.

9. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the bending operation portion is structured by a four-directional instruction key.

10. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the bending operation portion is structured by an eight directional instruction key.

11. An endoscope apparatus comprising:

a slender insertion section inserted from its distal end into a to-be-inspected space, a distal end side of the insertion section including an observation optical system having a CCD for picking up a to-be-inspected object, a bendable portion to be bent, and a slender flexible tube portion, and a proximal portion on a rear end side of the insertion section being coupled to an operation section;

a pistol grip portion to be gripped by an operator, the pistol grip portion having a longitudinal axis extending from a first end to a second end,

an operation section coupled to a proximal end of the insertion section, the operation section having a bendable operation section which bends the bendable portion, the bendable operation section coupled to the first end of the pistol grip, and a display portion which displays the picked up to-be-inspected image provided on the bendable operation section,

wherein the insertion section has a channel which extends from the distal end portion to the second end of the pistol grip portion via the proximal portion, and wherein a treatment instrument is inserted into the channel from the insertion opening at the second end of the pistol grip portion and extends out from an open end on the distal end side.