Endoscope with rigidity variation section
First Claim
1. An endoscope comprising an inserting section and an operating section, whereinthe inserting section comprises at a plurality of positions a variable-rigidity mechanism capable of varying rigidity when applied with a voltage, andthe operating section comprises:
- a rigidity-variation controlling section for varying rigidity by controlling the variable-rigidity mechanism;
a rigidity-variation operating section for making a direction for varying rigidity to the rigidity-variation controlling section, andan endoscope shape detecting section for displaying an image of a shape of the inserting section on a display section,wherein a rigidity of the variable-rigidity mechanism is displayed on the display section along with the image of the shape of the inserting section.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An endoscope is provided wherein a variable rigidity portion is not restricted by a physical mechanism, and which allows a surgeon, in performing a rigidity varying operation, to operate the rigidity varying operation along with other operations without releasing inputting sections. The endoscope of the invention includes an inserting section and an operating section. The inserting section has variable-rigidity actuators. The operating section has a rigidity-variation controlling section, a trackball, and scope switches.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An endoscope comprising an inserting section and an operating section, wherein
the inserting section comprises at a plurality of positions a variable-rigidity mechanism capable of varying rigidity when applied with a voltage, and the operating section comprises: -
a rigidity-variation controlling section for varying rigidity by controlling the variable-rigidity mechanism; a rigidity-variation operating section for making a direction for varying rigidity to the rigidity-variation controlling section, and an endoscope shape detecting section for displaying an image of a shape of the inserting section on a display section, wherein a rigidity of the variable-rigidity mechanism is displayed on the display section along with the image of the shape of the inserting section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification