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Endoscope construction with means for controlling rigidity and curvature of flexible endoscope tube

  • US 4,893,613 A
  • Filed: 10/21/1988
  • Issued: 01/16/1990
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1987
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. In a flexible endoscope of the type including an elongate flexible tube having a distal end and a proximal end;

  • anda 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 curvature of a longitudinal segment of the tube; and

    means external the tube for controlling the means within the tube segment;

    said means for controlling curvature comprising at least one flexible tube segment, said segment having a longitudinal center axis, said segment further including at least two longitudinal, flexible, hollow conduits generally parallel to the axis, said conduits each being elastically deformable in the longitudinal direction in response to increased pressure within the conduits; and

    said means for controlling comprising means for inflating the conduits independently by increasing fluid pressure in one of the conduits beyond the plastic limit to thereby elastically deform the conduit in the longitudinal direction and effect elongation of said conduit and attached tube to thereby effect controlled curvature of the tube segment.

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