US3892228A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for adjusting the flexing of the bending section of an endoscope
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1973-10-03
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Granted: 1975-07-01
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Expires: 1993-10-03
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for adjusting the flexing of the bending section of an endoscope extending between the distal end and flexible tube, which comprises a pair of wire members partly wound about a pulley in opposite directions on the opposite sides of said pulley in a state fixed to the pulley at one end and connected to the bending section at the other end such that the one way rotation of the pulley causes one of the wire members to be stretched and the other to be loosened; and a wire saggingpreventing device disposed intermediate each of said wire members so as to eliminate the excessive sagging of the wire members.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuhiko Mitsui
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 16:11
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/005; A61B1/0051; A61B1/0052; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20396; Y10T74/20402; Y10T74/20408
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
221 words
An endoscope comprising: a distal end; a bending section; a flexible tube connected to the distal end through the bending section; said bending section being flexible to deflect the distal end relative to the flexible tube; a control unit for operating the distal end, said control unit having guide channels therein; and apparatus for adjusting the flexing of the bending section comprising: a pulley rotatably received in the control unit; a pair of operating wires at least partly wound about the pulley in opposite directions on the opposite sides of said pulley, said operating wires being fixed to said pulley at one end and connected to the bending section at the other end thereof, and said operating wires being cut off at an intermediate part thereof; and a pair of wire sagging-preventing devices slidably received in said guide channels of said control unit, and each including a pair of slidable members respectively coupled between the cut ends of said cut operating wires whereby when one wire sagging-preventing device is drawn toward the pulley via the wire by rotating the pulley in one direction, one of the slidable members of the other wire sagging-preventing device is moved away from the pulley, independently of said other wire sagging-preventing device, to prevent the loosening of the wire connected to said other wire sagging-preventing device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
221 words
An endoscope comprising: a distal end; a bending section; a flexible tube connected to the distal end through the bending section; said bending section being flexible to deflect the distal end relative to the flexible tube; a control unit for operating the distal end, said control unit having guide channels therein; and apparatus for adjusting the flexing of the bending section comprising: a pulley rotatably received in the control unit; a pair of operating wires at least partly wound about the pulley in opposite directions on the opposite sides of said pulley, said operating wires being fixed to said pulley at one end and connected to the bending section at the other end thereof, and said operating wires being cut off at an intermediate part thereof; and a pair of wire sagging-preventing devices slidably received in said guide channels of said control unit, and each including a pair of slidable members respectively coupled between the cut ends of said cut operating wires whereby when one wire sagging-preventing device is drawn toward the pulley via the wire by rotating the pulley in one direction, one of the slidable members of the other wire sagging-preventing device is moved away from the pulley, independently of said other wire sagging-preventing device, to prevent the loosening of the wire connected to said other wire sagging-preventing device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An endoscope according to claim 1 wherein said wire sagging-preventing device includes a cylindrical member in which said paired slidable members are received.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An endoscope according to claim 2 wherein said paired slidable members are freely movable relative to each other within said cylinder to take up said sag.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An endoscope according to claim 2 wherein said cylindrical member includes means for controlling the moving range of said slidable members received therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An endoscope according to claim 4 wherein said control means comprises a plugging member screwed into one end of said cylindrical member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
An endoscope according to claim 4 wherein said control means comprises an insert located between one of said slidable members and the end wall of the cylindrical member so as to restrict the movement of said slidable members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An endoscope according to claim 1 wherein said paired slidable members are fixedly connected to respectively cut ends of said cut operating wires.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
An endoscope according to claim 1 wherein said paired slidable members are freely movable relative to each other to take up said sag.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-30 | 1978-12-30 | 1979-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-30 | 1982-12-30 | 1983-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-30 | 1986-12-30 | 1987-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |