BENDABLE TUBE OF AN ENDOSCOPE

• US 3,739,770 A
• Filed: 10/06/1971
• Issued: 06/19/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Toshiyuki Mori
• Original Assignee: Toshiyuki Mori
• Inventors: Mori, Toshiyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Pace, Channing L.
• Application Number:
  US05/186,979
• Time in Patent Office: 622 Days
• Field of Search: 128/6 138/130
• US Class Current: 600/139
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0055 Constructional details of insertion parts, e.g. vertebral elements

Abstract

A bendable tube portion in an endoscope comprises two helically wound metal strips, one of which closely surrounds the other. The strips are wound in opposite directions and the turns of one strip are secured to corresponding turns of the other strip in the plane of bending motion of the tube portion. The tube portion may be bent by at least one string extending through the tube and connected to a control mechanism in the control housing of the endoscope.

Claims

1. In an endoscope including an elongated tube, and end casing and a control housing on respective longitudinal ends of said tube, and a control mechanism on said housing, a longitudinal portion of said tube adjacent said end casing being bendable, and said control mechanism including means for bending said portion in a plane longitudinal of said tube, the improvement in said bendable tube portion which comprises:

a. an inner strip;

b. an outer strip, 1. said strips being helically wound in opposite directions to constitute a plurality of turns about an axis extending longitudinally of said portion, 2. said outer strip closely enveloping said inner strip; and

c. securing means located in said plane and securing each turn of one of said strips to a respective turn of the other strip.

2. In an endoscope as set forth in claim 1, said securing means securing respective turns of said inner strip located in said plane on opposite sides of said axis to respective turns of said outer strip located in said plane on said opposite sides.

3. In an endoscope as set forth in claim 1, said strips having each two longitudinally terminal portions, and said control mechanism including an elongated control member secured to each of the terminal portions of said strips adjacent said end casing and extending therefrom through said tube to said control housing.