ENDOSCOPE

• US 3,871,365 A
• Filed: 06/06/1973
• Issued: 03/18/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Toshio Chikama
• Original Assignee: Toshio Chikama
• Inventors: Chikama, Toshio
• Primary Examiner(s): Laudenslager, Lucie H.
• Application Number:
  US05/367,401
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 128/5,6,7,303.15,305
• US Class Current: 600/107
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00098 Deflecting means for inserted tools
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00165 with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics A61B1/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00183 for variable viewing angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments

Abstract

An endoscope of the type in which a visual field extending from its front surface to one side surface is observable by turning a turnable portion of an image-receiving optical system mounted at the front portion of the endoscope. The endoscope is provided with a guide member which serves to hold the front end portion of a forceps, which is inserted through the endoscope, and arranged to be turnable in the same direction with the foregoing turnable portion of the optical system. At its base portion the endoscope has a mechanism for simultaneously or individually operating operation wires connected to the turnable portion of the optical system and the guide member, respectively.

Claims

1. An endoscope comprising a front portion with an observation window, an image-receiving optical system including a turnable member facing said window to view different portions of a visable field outside said window, a forceps projecting through said window, support means guidably supporting said forceps for pivotable meovement, and an operating means coupled to said support means for the forceps and to said turnable member of the optical system selectively to (a) couple said support means and turnable member so that the forceps and turnable member move conjointly and (b) to enable the support means and turnable member to be individually operated to alter the relative position of the forceps and the turnable member of the optical system, said operating means comprising a first operation member for said support means, a second separate operation member for said turnable member of the optical system, two adjacent, coaxial, rotatable control knobs each coupled to a respective operation member, means normally coupling the knobs for common rotation movement but capable of being rendered inoperative to allow separate rotation of the knobs, said means coupling the knobs comprises respective shafts supporting the knobs, and means separably connecting the knobs, said knobs being axially displaceable relative to one another on said shafts to disconnect the knobs.

2. An endoscope as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means separably connecting the rods comprises a spring-loaded pin in one knob, the other knob having holes for receiving the pin.

3. An endoscope as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of said shafts is tubular and is rotatable on the other.

4. An endoscope as claimed in claim 3 wherein one of said knobs is secured to the tubular shaft and the other knob is mounted on the other shaft for common rotation therewith while being axially slidable thereon.

5. An endoscope as claimed in claim 1 wherein said operation means comprises pinions attached to said shafts, and racks in mesh with said pinions and operatively connected to said operation members.

6. An endoscope as claimed in claim 5 wherein said operation members are wires.