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Endoscope

  • US 5,179,934 A
  • Filed: 02/14/1991
  • Issued: 01/19/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/20/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An endoscope comprising:

  • an elongated insertion section including a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a bendable portion located between the distal and proximal end portions;

    a fluid-pressure actuator, coupled to the insertion section, for bending the bendable portion, said fluid-pressure actuator including;

    (a) an extensible body defining an internal space and having an extension axis along which the extensible body extends or contracts; and

    (b) expansion-restricting means for restricting expansion of the extensible body, said expansion-restricting means causing the extensible body to extend in the direction of the extension axis when a fluid is supplied into the internal space, and causing the extensible body to contract in the direction of the extensible axis when the fluid is discharged from the internal space;

    conversion means for converting the extension or contraction of the fluid-pressure actuator into a bending motion of the bendable portion of the insertion section; and

    fluid supply/discharge means for supplying the fluid into the internal space of the extensible body or discharging the fluid from the internal space.

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