Piston-actuated endoscopic steering system
First Claim
1. Endoscopic steering apparatus, comprising:
- an endoscope, having distal and proximal ends thereof;
at least one proximal cylinder, disposed in a vicinity of the proximal end of the endoscope;
at least one proximal piston, slidably coupled to the at least one proximal cylinder;
a first distal cylinder, disposed at the distal end of the endoscope;
a first distal piston, slidably coupled to the first distal cylinder;
a second distal cylinder, disposed at the distal end of the endoscope;
a second distal piston, slidably coupled to the second distal cylinder;
a first tube, coupled to the first distal cylinder and to the at least one proximal cylinder;
a second tube, coupled to the second distal cylinder and to the at least one proximal cylinder; and
a linkage disposed at the distal end of the endoscope and coupled to the first distal piston and to the second distal piston, such that displacement of at least one of the distal pistons causes displacement of the linkage and steering of the distal end of the endoscope.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Endoscopic steering apparatus is provided, including an endoscope (80) having distal (82) and proximal (98) ends thereof. In a preferred embodiment, at least one proximal cylinder (92) is disposed in a vicinity of the proximal end of the endoscope, and at least one proximal piston (94) is slidably coupled to the at least one proximal cylinder. This piston is typically manually driven. A first distal cylinder (88) is disposed at the distal end of the endoscope, and a first distal piston (90) is slidably coupled to the first distal cylinder. A second distal cylinder (88) is disposed at the distal end of the endoscope, and a second distal piston (90) is slidably coupled to the second distal cylinder. A first tube (86) is coupled to the first distal cylinder and to the at least one proximal cylinder, and a second tube (86) is coupled to the second distal cylinder and to the at least one proximal cylinder. A linkage (96) is disposed at the distal end of the endoscope and coupled to the first distal piston and to the second distal piston, such that displacement of at least one of the distal pistons causes displacement of the linkage and steering of the distal end of the endoscope.
-
Citations
16 Claims
-
1. Endoscopic steering apparatus, comprising:
- an endoscope, having distal and proximal ends thereof;
at least one proximal cylinder, disposed in a vicinity of the proximal end of the endoscope;
at least one proximal piston, slidably coupled to the at least one proximal cylinder;
a first distal cylinder, disposed at the distal end of the endoscope;
a first distal piston, slidably coupled to the first distal cylinder;
a second distal cylinder, disposed at the distal end of the endoscope;
a second distal piston, slidably coupled to the second distal cylinder;
a first tube, coupled to the first distal cylinder and to the at least one proximal cylinder;
a second tube, coupled to the second distal cylinder and to the at least one proximal cylinder; and
a linkage disposed at the distal end of the endoscope and coupled to the first distal piston and to the second distal piston, such that displacement of at least one of the distal pistons causes displacement of the linkage and steering of the distal end of the endoscope. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
- an endoscope, having distal and proximal ends thereof;
-
10. Endoscopic steering apparatus, comprising:
- an endoscope, having distal and proximal ends thereof, the distal end comprising a forward section and a rear section flexibly coupled to the forward section;
a distal cylinder, disposed at the rear section of the distal end of the endoscope;
a distal piston, slidably coupled to the distal cylinder and coupled to the forward section of the distal end of the endoscope;
a proximal cylinder, disposed in a vicinity of the proximal end of the endoscope;
a proximal piston, slidably coupled to the proximal cylinder; and
a tube, coupled between the distal cylinder and the proximal cylinder, such that displacement of the proximal piston generates a pressure in the tube capable of displacing the distal piston and rotating the forward section with respect to the rear section. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- an endoscope, having distal and proximal ends thereof, the distal end comprising a forward section and a rear section flexibly coupled to the forward section;
Specification