Assist assembly for propulsion of endoscope
US9138130B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 8, 2013 |
| Grant date | Sep 22, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 5, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B1/00148
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An assist assembly for propulsion of a tip device of an endoscope in a body cavity includes an attachment sleeve and a support sleeve. A deformable circulation device is disposed to extend over inner and outer surfaces of the support sleeve, for endlessly moving in an axial direction of the tip device. Plural rollers are disposed on the support sleeve in a rotatable manner, for pressing an inner surface of the circulation device. An alignment projection is formed on the inner surface of the circulation device to project at a height L1. A location offset prevention groove is formed in the rollers at a depth L2, for receiving the alignment projection, and satisfying a condition L1≧L2, to prevent location offset of the circulation device from the rollers. Drive wheels tension the circulation device in cooperation with the rollers by deforming the alignment projection in the location offset prevention groove.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.