Patent US5473344A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0029344A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Flexible tube for an endoscope
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1980-11-13
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2000-11-13
Abstract
Abstract A flexible tube for an endoscope includes a metallic braid (23) and a sheath (42) covering the braid, both of which form a bendable portion (41) and/or a freely flexible portion of the endoscope through which bundles of optical fibres, a flexure controlling wire or the like are passed. The internal peripheral surface of the sheath (42) which covers the metallic braid (23) is formed with grooves (45) which retain an antifriction agent therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Takeji Takagi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:12
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/005; A61B1/0051; A61B1/0055; A61B1/00064; A61B1/00071
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A flexible tube for an endoscope including a metallic braid (23,33) and a sheath (32,42,52,62,72) covering the braid, both of which form a bendable portion (41,51,61,71) and/or a freely flexible portion (11) of the endoscope tube, through which bundles of optical fibres, a flexure controlling wire and the like are passed, an antifriction agent being distributed between the braid and the sheath, characterized in that the internal peripheral surface of the sheath (42, 52,62,72,32) which is disposed in opposing relationship with the metallic braid (23,33) is formed with grooves (45,55,65,75,85) which retain the antifriction agent therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A flexible tube for an endoscope including a metallic braid (23,33) and a sheath (32,42,52,62,72) covering the braid, both of which form a bendable portion (41,51,61,71) and/or a freely flexible portion (11) of the endoscope tube, through which bundles of optical fibres, a flexure controlling wire and the like are passed, an antifriction agent being distributed between the braid and the sheath, characterized in that the internal peripheral surface of the sheath (42, 52,62,72,32) which is disposed in opposing relationship with the metallic braid (23,33) is formed with grooves (45,55,65,75,85) which retain the antifriction agent therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 1, in which the grooves (75) have a width, a spacing therebetween or a depth which varies locally so as to correspond to positions assumed by the flexible tube as it is flexed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 1, in which the grooves (45,85) extend spirally with respect to the axis of the sheath (43,32).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 1 or 3, in which the grooves are fine criss-cross grooves (55).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A flexible tube for an endoscope according to claim 1, in which the grooves are narrow grooves (65) extending axially of the sheath.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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