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Endoscope

  • US 5,257,618 A
  • Filed: 11/06/1991
  • Issued: 11/02/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An endoscope which comprises:

  • a flexible insert portion adapted to be inserted into an object to be inspected;

    a plurality of lengthwise members including at least an optical fiber bundle for transmitting illuminating light to said object and a channel member which are provided within said flexible insert portion in a freely movable manner and;

    at least one elastic restoring body which is elastically compressible in a cross-sectional direction of said flexible insert portion in a flexible section of said flexible insert portion so as to partition said lengthwise members off from each other;

    wherein said elastic restoring body allows for movement of said lengthwise members in a cross-sectional plane of said flexible insert portion in arbitrary directions while keeping said lengthwise members partitioned off from each other when said flexible insert portion is bent, and restoring said lengthwise members to their predetermined original positions when said insert portion is straightened.

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