Endoscope with overload protective device
First Claim
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1. An endoscope comprising a set of articulated rings, a probe mounted to one end of said rings, means for articulating said rings to direct or redirect said probe including a rotatable operating member and a wire connected to said articulated rings;
- wherein an overload protection means interconnects said wire to said operating member, said overload protection means providing controlled resiliency to inhibit the application of excess tension to said wire and comprising a cylinder connected to said operating member, a piston connected to said wire and slidably received within said cylinder, a spring engaged with said piston and resiliently biasing said piston into said cylinder, and a spring retainer for capturing said spring within said cylinder and applying a preset biasing force upon said piston.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention provides an improved endoscope having control wires for articulating a set of rings and directing a probe which further provides an overload protection device interconnecting the control wires to an operating member. The overload protection device provides a controlled resiliency to inhibit the application of excess tension to the control wires but provides sufficient force to manipulate the probe.
148 Citations
6 Claims
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1. An endoscope comprising a set of articulated rings, a probe mounted to one end of said rings, means for articulating said rings to direct or redirect said probe including a rotatable operating member and a wire connected to said articulated rings;
- wherein an overload protection means interconnects said wire to said operating member, said overload protection means providing controlled resiliency to inhibit the application of excess tension to said wire and comprising a cylinder connected to said operating member, a piston connected to said wire and slidably received within said cylinder, a spring engaged with said piston and resiliently biasing said piston into said cylinder, and a spring retainer for capturing said spring within said cylinder and applying a preset biasing force upon said piston.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An overload protection device for use in an endoscope having a probe and means for articulating the probe, including a pair of wires connected to a rotatable operating member, and means for interconnecting a wire to the operating member to provide controlled resiliency that inhibits the application of excess tension in said wire, said overload protection device comprising:
a cylinder adapted for connection to the operating member, a piston adapted for connection to the wire and slidably received within said cylinder, a spring engaged with said piston and resiliently biasing said piston into said cylinder, and a spring retainer capturing said spring within said cylinder and applying a preset biasing force to said piston. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
Specification