Scanning endoscope having an actuator and a force transmitter for bending a light transmitter
US8258457B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 11, 2010 |
| Grant date | Sep 4, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 22, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B1/0051
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A scanning endoscope comprising a light transmitter, an actuator, and a force transmitter, is provided. The light transmitter emits a beam of the light exiting the first emission end. The light transmitter is flexible. A longitudinal direction of the light transmitter is a first direction. The actuator is mounted near the first emission end. The actuator bends the light transmitter in a second direction by pushing a side of the light transmitter in the second direction. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. A force transmitter is oriented lengthwise in the first direction. The force transmitter is elastic. The force transmitter is positioned between the light transmitter and the actuator. The force transmitter exerts a pushing force supplied by the actuator on the side of the light transmitter while the force transmitter is deformed elastically toward the first direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.