Endoscope construction with means for controlling rigidity and curvature of flexible endoscope tube
First Claim
1. In a flexible endoscope of the type including:
- an elongate flexible tube having a distal end and a proximal end; and
a medical procedure system having at least a part thereof extending through the tube from the proximal end to the distal end, said system being capable of transmitting diagnostic data from the distal end to the proximal end or conducting a medical procedure at the distal end from the proximal end;
the improvement comprising, in combination;
means within the tube for controlling the rigidity of a longitudinal segment of the tube; and
means external the tube for controlling the means within the tube segment;
said means for controlling rigidity comprising at least one flexible tube segment, said segment having a longitudinal center axis, said segment further including at least one longitudinal, flexible, hollow conduit generally parallel to the axis; and
said means for controlling the means within the tube segment comprising means for inflating the conduit below the elastic limit to effect making the tube segment rigid by increasing fluid pressure within the conduit.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved flexible endoscope of the type which includes a hollow elongate flexible tube having a distal end which is inserted into a body cavity and a proximal end which is external the body. A sensor system extends through the flexible tube from the proximal end to the distal end. The sensor system is capable of transmitting diagnostic information from the distal end to a sensor system at the proximal end. Means for controlling the flexure of each tube comprises at least one longitudinal expandible conduit positioned radially with respect to the center line axis of the segment. In a preferred embodiment a plurality of inflatable and expandible conduits are provided and pressure means is also provided to inflate the conduits to control rigidity or to expand the conduits longitudinally and sequentially in order to vary the curvature of the tube.
402 Citations
13 Claims
-
1. In a flexible endoscope of the type including:
-
an elongate flexible tube having a distal end and a proximal end; and a medical procedure system having at least a part thereof extending through the tube from the proximal end to the distal end, said system being capable of transmitting diagnostic data from the distal end to the proximal end or conducting a medical procedure at the distal end from the proximal end; the improvement comprising, in combination;
means within the tube for controlling the rigidity of a longitudinal segment of the tube; andmeans external the tube for controlling the means within the tube segment; said means for controlling rigidity comprising at least one flexible tube segment, said segment having a longitudinal center axis, said segment further including at least one longitudinal, flexible, hollow conduit generally parallel to the axis; and said means for controlling the means within the tube segment comprising means for inflating the conduit below the elastic limit to effect making the tube segment rigid by increasing fluid pressure within the conduit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
Specification