Endoscope tube system

• US 5,656,011 A
• Filed: 04/21/1995
• Issued: 08/12/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Epflex Feinwerktechnik GmbH
• Original Assignee: Epflex Feinwerktechnik GmbH
• Inventors: Uihlein, Bernhard, Melzer, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): FLANAGAN, BEVERLY MEINDL
• Assistant Examiner(s): FLANAGAN, BEVERLY MEINDL
• Application Number:
  US08/427,091
• Time in Patent Office: 844 Days
• Field of Search: 600/136-143, 600/146, 600/150
• US Class Current: 600/146
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/008 Articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0138 having flexible regions as a result of weakened outer material, e.g. slots, slits, cuts, joints or coils
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0147 with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires

Abstract

In an endoscope tube system, an elastically bendable section is constructed of individual members spaced with respect to one another. A stabilizing spring band and a tension spring band are provided. The spring bands extend in a mutually opposite manner axially along the circumferential area of the individual members and at least one of the bands have a natural curvature which is opposite to the bending direction of the bendable section. The individual members are fixed on the stabilizing spring band, while the tension spring band is only connected with the most forward individual member. This construction of the bendable section requires no tension cables and is therefore operationally reliable, easy to take apart, and easy to clean.

Claims

1. An endoscope tube system, comprising:

an elastically bendable tube section including individual members spaced behind one another in an axial direction of said tube system;

an axially extending stabilizing spring band, each of said individual members being fixed on said stabilizing spring band at a circumferential area thereof;

an axially extending tension spring band arranged opposite said stabilizing spring band and being axially movable relative thereto, a most axially forward of said individual members being fixed to said tension spring band;

wherein at least one of said stabilizing spring band and said tension spring band has a curvature in a relaxed condition; and

wherein the elastically bendable section is bendable in a direction opposite to said curvature through axial movement of said tension spring band.

2. An endoscope tube system according to claim 1, wherein each of said individual members has an exterior-side axial groove for receiving said stabilizing spring band in a flush manner, and a diametrically opposite, interior-side axial groove for receiving said tension spring band in a flush manner, said grooves having respective axial openings on a side of said tube system opposite a bending direction of the elastically bendable section.

3. An endoscope tube system according to claim 1 having an endoscope grip piece, further comprising a rigid tube lengthening arranged between the elastically bendable section and the endoscope grip piece, said rigid tube lengthening comprising a first rigid tube on which said stabilizing spring band is fixed, and a second rigid tube which is arranged coaxially relative to said first rigid tube in a torsion-resistant and axially movable manner, and on which said tension spring band is fixed.

4. An endoscope tube system according to claim 2 having an endoscope grip piece, further comprising a rigid tube lengthening arranged between the elastically bendable section and the endoscope grip piece, said rigid tube lengthening comprising a first rigid tube on which said stabilizing spring band is fixed, and a second rigid tube which is arranged coaxially relative to said first rigid tube in a torsion-resistant and axially movable manner, and on which said tension spring band is fixed.

5. An endoscope tube system according to claim 3, further comprising a third rigid tube which is coaxial with respect to said first and second rigid tubes and is rotatable with respect to them, said third rigid tube being non-rotatably connected with an endoscope head part by way of an elastic shaft which leads through said elastically bendable section.

6. An endoscope tube system, comprising:

an elastically bendable tube section including individual members spaced behind one another in an axial direction of said tube system;

an axially extending stabilizing spring band on which at least a most rearward one and a most forward one of said individual members are fixed on said stabilizing spring band at a circumferential area thereof;

an axially extending tension spring band arranged opposite said stabilizing spring band and being axially movable relative thereto, a most axially forward of said individual members being fixed to said tension spring band;

wherein at least one of said stabilizing spring band and said tension spring band has a curvature in a relaxed condition; and

wherein the elastically bendable section is bendable in a direction opposite to said curvature through axial movement of said tension spring band.