Articulated, four-way bendable tube structure
US4108211A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 21, 1976 |
| Grant date | Aug 22, 1978 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 21, 1996 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B1/0055
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An articulated tube structure to be arranged next to the head of a fiberoptic endoscope to permit same to be tilted in either of four different directions by manipulation of pull wires. The tube structure comprises a series of relatively short elementary tubes each having two pairs of lugs on its opposite ends which are angularly displaced 90.degree. from each other. These elementary tubes are jointed in spaced end-to-end relationship by wire support members passing through their overlapped lugs. The wire support members have holes in their ends located inside the tube structure, and the pull wires extend through the holes with clearance. A recessed inner tube can be nested in each elementary tube to eliminate unevenness of the internal surfaces of the tube structure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.