Endoscope system
US5885208A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 23, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 23, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 23, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B1/00078
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An endoscope system has a first endoscope in which a hardness variation mechanism for use in adjusting the hardness level of a soft part of an insertion unit is incorporated in the soft part, and at least one second endoscope having a soft part. A range of levels of the adjustable hardness of the soft part of the first endoscope includes the hardness level of the soft part of the second endoscope. Another endoscope system has a first endoscope in which a hardness variation mechanism for use in adjusting the hardness level of a soft part of an insertion unit is incorporated in the soft part, and at least one second endoscope usable for examination of the same region as the first endoscope and having a soft part. A range of levels of the adjustable hardness of the soft part of the first endoscope includes the hardness level of the soft part of the second endoscope.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.