Endoscope provided with function of being locked to flexibility of insertion part which is set by flexibility modifying operation member
US5810715A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 12, 1996 |
| Grant date | Sep 22, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 12, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B1/042
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A densely wound coil and a wire which passes through the coil are inserted into a flexible part which has a flexibility. The coil which is fixed in the vicinity of a distal end of the wire has a proximal end thereof which is regulated in movement toward a rearward side by a stopper. The wire which extends rearward from the proximal end of the coil has a proximal end thereof which is drawn or pulled toward the rearward side by angular movement of an adjustment knob which is provided in the vicinity of a forward end of an operation part. By this traction, a compressive force is relatively applied to the coil to make flexibility of the coil changeable. By an O-ring which is urged against the adjustment knob, even if a hand is removed after the adjustment knob has been operated, the adjustment knob can be locked to the state by a frictional force.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.