Endoscopic length-measuring tool
US6033359A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 27, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 7, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 27, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/061
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An endoscopic length-measuring tool for measuring the size of a diseased part within patient's body cavity. A plurality of splits are formed in a front end portion of a flexible tube of the tool so as to extend in parallel to an axial direction of the tube and to have equal lengths. Each of the plurality of strips is defined between adjacent splits. Radially outwardly bendable portions and radially inwardly bendable portions are formed on each strip. An operating wire is axially and movably disposed within the tube. The front end of the operating wire is retained on a portion of the tube located forwardly from the splits. When the operating wire is moved axially and rearwardly relative to the tube, the strips are bent at the bendable portions and spread radially outwardly, so that a length-measuring section on the strip is disposed within an observation visual field of an endoscope.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.