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Vertebrae for a bending section of an endoscope

  • US 5,271,381 A
  • Filed: 11/18/1991
  • Issued: 12/21/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A vertebra for use in a bending section of an insertion tube of an endoscope, comprising:

  • a body member having a first surface and a second surface, the body member of the vertebra being D-shape in cross-section, said D-shape being formed by an arcuate portion extending from a substantially planar portion;

    a first pair of protrusions extending from said first surface and defining a first bending axis for said vertebra, said first pair of protrusions being aligned with said first bending axis and adapted to contact a vertebra adjacent said first surface, one of said first pair of protrusions being in said substantially planar portion and the other of said pair of protrusions being at an apex of said arcuate position;

    a second pair of protrusions extending from said second surface and defining a second bending axis for said vertebra, said second pair of protrusions being aligned with said second bending axis and adapted to contact a vertebra adjacent said second surface, said second pair of protrusions being in said arcuate portion; and

    a longitudinal bending axis for said insertion tube being defined by the intersection of said first and second bending axes, and said second pair of protrusions being spaced farther from said longitudinal bending axis than said first pair of protrusions are spaced from said longitudinal bending axis.

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