Endoscope with cable compensating mechanism
US4688555A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 25, 1986 |
| Grant date | Aug 25, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 25, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2034/715
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An inspection instrument having a generally elongated flexible shaft extending between a control head at a proximal end and an objective assembly at a distal end. A bending section adjacent the objective assembly enables movement of the objective assembly between a neutral position and angularly disposed positions. A control member on the control head causes deflection of the objective assembly by means of a pair of operating cables which are operatively connected at their opposite ends to the control member and to the objective assembly. A compensating mechanism engages the cables intermediate their ends and is effective to guard the cable against excessive loads and also to readily accommodate variations in the working length of the cables as occurs when the cables are permanently stretched.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.