Endoscope provided with function of being locked to flexibility of insertion part which is set by flexibility modifying operation member
First Claim
1. An endoscope comprising:
- an elongated insertion part provided with a flexible part which has flexibility with respect to bend;
an operation part formed in a vicinity of a proximal end of said insertion part, and provided with a grip for gripping by an operator;
a flexibility varying member arranged within said flexible part, and varying in flexibility with respect to curvature;
a flexibility modifying operation member provided in said operation part, for performing an operation to vary a flexibility of said flexibility varying member; and
a notification mechanism for notifying to a user, levels of said flexibility corresponding to the operation of said flexibility modifying operation member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A densely wound coil and a wire which passes through the coil are inserted into a flexible part which has a flexibility. The coil which is fixed in the vicinity of a distal end of the wire has a proximal end thereof which is regulated in movement toward a rearward side by a stopper. The wire which extends rearward from the proximal end of the coil has a proximal end thereof which is drawn or pulled toward the rearward side by angular movement of an adjustment knob which is provided in the vicinity of a forward end of an operation part. By this traction, a compressive force is relatively applied to the coil to make flexibility of the coil changeable. Indicia associated with the adjustment knob alerts the user to the level of flexibility to which the adjustment knob is moved.
264 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An endoscope comprising:
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an elongated insertion part provided with a flexible part which has flexibility with respect to bend; an operation part formed in a vicinity of a proximal end of said insertion part, and provided with a grip for gripping by an operator; a flexibility varying member arranged within said flexible part, and varying in flexibility with respect to curvature; a flexibility modifying operation member provided in said operation part, for performing an operation to vary a flexibility of said flexibility varying member; and a notification mechanism for notifying to a user, levels of said flexibility corresponding to the operation of said flexibility modifying operation member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification