Endoscope with rigidity variation section
US7896801B2 · kind B2 · utility
1Cited by
11References
24Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 19, 2006 |
| Grant date | Mar 1, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 30, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B1/00078
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An endoscope is provided wherein a variable rigidity portion is not restricted by a physical mechanism, and which allows a surgeon, in performing a rigidity varying operation, to operate the rigidity varying operation along with other operations without releasing inputting sections. The endoscope of the invention includes an inserting section and an operating section. The inserting section has variable-rigidity actuators. The operating section has a rigidity-variation controlling section, a trackball, and scope switches.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.