Endoscope
US5179934A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 14, 1991 |
| Grant date | Jan 19, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 14, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M25/0155
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An endoscope comprises an insertion section, and this insertion section has a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a bendable portion located between the distal and proximal end portions. A fluid-pressure actuator is coupled to the insertion section, so as to bend the bendable portion. The fluid-pressure actuator is made up of an extensible body and an expansion-restricting member. The extensible body defines an internal space and has an extension axis along which it extends or contracts. The expansion-restricting member causes the extensible body to extend in the direction of the extension axis when a fluid is supplied into the internal space, and causes the extensible body to contract in the direction of the extensible axis when the fluid is discharged from the internal space. The bendable portion of the insertion section is bent in accordance with the extension or contraction of the extensible body.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.