Force relieving, force limiting self-adjusting steering for borescope or endoscope
First Claim
1. Self-adjusting steering mechanism for endoscopes of the type having a flexible insertion tube, a distal steering section, at least one pair of steering cables that are enclosed in respective cable sheaths for controlling bending of said steering section, a control housing at a proximal end of the insertion tube, and means in said control housing for displacing said control cables relative to said sheaths;
- the mechanism comprising a frame fixed in said control housing;
a movable member supported on said frame and disposed for motion generally proximally-distally, the movable member including passages for receiving the proximal ends of said cable sheaths, said cable sheaths each having stop means for limiting proximal motion of said cable sheaths relative to said movable member; and
force-control spring means biasing said movable member distally on said track.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A self-adjusting mechanism ensures that the collective force on the steering cables of an endoscope or borescope is limited or relieved when a predetermined force is reached. The mechanism includes a frame, a slider that moves on the frame and restrains the proximal ends of the steering cable sheaths, and springs that bias the slider distally. The springs can be preloaded by employing a stop member to limit the distal movement of the slider.
224 Citations
7 Claims
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1. Self-adjusting steering mechanism for endoscopes of the type having a flexible insertion tube, a distal steering section, at least one pair of steering cables that are enclosed in respective cable sheaths for controlling bending of said steering section, a control housing at a proximal end of the insertion tube, and means in said control housing for displacing said control cables relative to said sheaths;
- the mechanism comprising a frame fixed in said control housing;
a movable member supported on said frame and disposed for motion generally proximally-distally, the movable member including passages for receiving the proximal ends of said cable sheaths, said cable sheaths each having stop means for limiting proximal motion of said cable sheaths relative to said movable member; and force-control spring means biasing said movable member distally on said track. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
- the mechanism comprising a frame fixed in said control housing;
Specification