Endoscope tube system
US5656011A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 21, 1995 |
| Grant date | Aug 12, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 21, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M25/0147
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In an endoscope tube system, an elastically bendable section is constructed of individual members spaced with respect to one another. A stabilizing spring band and a tension spring band are provided. The spring bands extend in a mutually opposite manner axially along the circumferential area of the individual members and at least one of the bands have a natural curvature which is opposite to the bending direction of the bendable section. The individual members are fixed on the stabilizing spring band, while the tension spring band is only connected with the most forward individual member. This construction of the bendable section requires no tension cables and is therefore operationally reliable, easy to take apart, and easy to clean.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.