Endoscope system with insertion direction changing guides
US7591781B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 15, 2003 |
| Grant date | Sep 22, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 5, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B23/2476
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An endoscope system includes an endoscope and an insertion unit guide member. The endoscope has an elongated insertion unit whose bending section adjoins a distal section thereof. The insertion unit guide member comprises a plurality of tubular members to be placed in a pipe. Each of the tubular members has a guide channel having a predetermined diameter that permits other tubular member or the insertion unit to smoothly pass through the guide channel. The plurality of tubular members has predetermined degrees of flexibility and predetermined lengths. At least one of the tubular members has a member that changes the advancing direction in which the insertion unit is advanced through the guide channel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.