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Flexible endoscope

  • US 6,572,538 B2
  • Filed: 07/18/2001
  • Issued: 06/03/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A flexible endoscope, comprising:

  • a flexible insertion member including a flexible tube, the flexible tube comprising a sheathing outside layer, the sheathing outside layer having a proximal portion and a distal portion in the longitudinal direction of the flexible insertion member, the proximal portion being harder than the distal portion; and

    a flexibility adjustor placed in the flexible tube and having a proximal portion and a distal portion in the longitudinal direction of the insertion member, the proximal portion being harder than the distal portion, such that an amount of change in hardness level for bending of the proximal portion of the flexibility adjustor and the distal portion of the flexibility adjustor is larger than an amount of change in hardness level for bending of the proximal portion of the sheathing outside layer and the distal portion of the sheathing outside layer.

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