Endoscope apparatus capable of being switched to a mode in which a curvature operating lever is returned and to a mode in which the curvature operating lever is not returned
US5658238A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 6, 1995 |
| Grant date | Aug 19, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 6, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B1/009
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A curvature section provided in an insertable section is curved in response to a curving instructing signal output by the operation of a curving operating switch. In case the curving operating switch is of a joy stick type having an operating lever, in response to the operation of a switching switch, a mode in which the inclination angle of the operating lever is held and a mode in which the inclination angle of the operating lever is returned to a neutral position in which it is zero will be switched and the curvature section will be of a curvature angle following the inclination angle of the operating lever. In case the curving operating switch is of a joy pad type comprising a plurality of on/off switches, in response to the operation of the switching switch, the curvature instructing signal will be held or reset.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.