Endoscope
First Claim
1. An endoscope comprising an inserting section and an operating section, wherein the inserting section comprises at a plurality of positions a variable-rigidity mechanism capable of varying rigidity when applied with a voltage, and the operating section comprises:
- a rigidity-variation controlling section for varying rigidity by controlling the variable-rigidity mechanism; and
a rigidity-variation operating section for making a direction for varying rigidity to the rigidity-variation controlling section.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
27 Citations
25 Claims
-
1. An endoscope comprising an inserting section and an operating section, wherein
the inserting section comprises at a plurality of positions a variable-rigidity mechanism capable of varying rigidity when applied with a voltage, and the operating section comprises: -
a rigidity-variation controlling section for varying rigidity by controlling the variable-rigidity mechanism; and
a rigidity-variation operating section for making a direction for varying rigidity to the rigidity-variation controlling section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
Specification