Endoscope
US9549665B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 3, 2015 |
| Grant date | Jan 24, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 14, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B1/015
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
There is provided an endoscope that prevents occurrence of buckling of a flexible body built in an insertion part of the endoscope without damaging other built-in components, and is easy to manufacture without impairing the curving manipulability. The endoscope includes a curvable portion, and an elongated insertion part being inserted into a subject. The endoscope has an elongated flexible body built in the insertion part, and a flexible protective tube that covers an outer periphery of the flexible body. The protective tube has a first region that covers the range of the flexible body, and a second region that covers the range of the soft portion. The elastic constant of the first region is smaller than the elastic constant of the second region, and the external diameter of the protective tube in the first region is larger than the external diameter of the protective tube of the second region.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.