Patent · US Expired

Ultrasonic endoscope

US4732156A · kind A · utility

153Cited by
8References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 6, 1986
Grant dateMar 22, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 6, 2006

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S74/04
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An ultrasonic endoscope includes an operation section and an insertion section extending therefrom. A driving member having a magnet is disposed in the distal end of the insertion section to be rotatable. The member is rotated by a motor through a transmission shaft. An ultrasonic scanning unit is removably attached to the distal end of the insertion section. The unit has a casing in which a scanning chamber filled with a liquid ultrasonic transmission medium is defined. A ultrasonic generator is disposed in the casing. A rotating mirror for reflecting the ultrasonic waves generated by the generator is rotatably arranged in the chamber. A driven member is rotatably arranged in the chamber and coupled to the mirror. The driven member has a magnet magnetically connected to the magnet of the driving member so that it rotates as the driving member rotates.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.