Intra-tube traveling apparatus
US5144848A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 2, 1990 |
| Grant date | Sep 8, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 2, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B23/2476
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An intra-tube traveling apparatus includes a moving unit to which an endoscope is held and which is self-driven to travel in a pipe path, and a movement control section for controlling movement of the moving unit. The moving unit includes an elastic actuator which is extended/contracted in the radial direction and axial directions of the pipe path upon reception of the pressurized fluid, balloons attached to the front and rear ends of the elastic actuator. Each of the balloons is radially expanded/deformed upon reception of the pressurized fluid therein to be locked to the inner surface of the pipe path. The movement control section includes a pressurized fluid supply unit, a switching control section, a stop signal output switch for outputting a stop signal for stopping a movement operation of the moving unit, and a unit fixing portion for supplying the pressurized fluid to the balloons upon reception of the stop signal from the stop signal output switch to expand/deform the lock portions, thereby fixing the moving unit to the inner surface of the pipe path.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.