US4884557A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endoscope for automatically adjusting an angle with a shape memory alloy
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1988-05-11
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Granted: 1989-12-05
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Expires: 2008-05-11
Abstract
Abstract An endoscope includes a bending member having a shape memory alloy. A pair of heating current supplying wires and a pair of resistance detecting wires are connected at one end to the ends of the shape memory alloy. The other end of the heating current supplying wire is connected to a current supply circuit, and the other end of the resistance detecting wire is connected to a resistance detector. The resistance detector is constituted by a bridge circuit having a branch opened and the shape memory alloy is connected in the opened branch via the resistance detecting wires. A controller controls the current supply circuit according to the detected resistance. The current supply is effected by supplying a current pulse, and the amount of heating current and the bending degree can be controlled by controlling the pulse width of the current pulse. Since no heating current is supplied to the resistance detecting wires, the resistance thereof is not changed even when the shape memory alloy is heated by passing a heating current therethrough. Therefore, it is possible to precisely detect variation in the resistance of only the shape memory alloy member and measure the bending degree of the bending member.
Inventors
- 👤 Sakae Takehana
- 👤 Yasuhiro Ueda
- 👤 Tomohisa Sakurai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/005; A61B1/0058; A61B1/009; A61B1/12; A61B1/128; A61F; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0014; A61F2210/0023; A61F2210/0033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
An endoscope device comprising: an endoscope body including bending means having a shape memory alloy disposed therein; and an external device detachably connected to said endoscope body and including current supply means for supplying current to said shape memory alloy via a current supply wire means to heat said shape memory alloy, means for detecting the resistance of said shape memory alloy, means for controlling said current supply means based on the resistance detected by said detecting means, and said detecting means including means for detecting the resistance of said shape memory alloy by use of a wire means other than said current supply wire means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
An endoscope device comprising: an endoscope body including bending means having a shape memory alloy disposed therein; and an external device detachably connected to said endoscope body and including current supply means for supplying current to said shape memory alloy via a current supply wire means to heat said shape memory alloy, means for detecting the resistance of said shape memory alloy, means for controlling said current supply means based on the resistance detected by said detecting means, and said detecting means including means for detecting the resistance of said shape memory alloy by use of a wire means other than said current supply wire means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
An endoscope device according to claim 1, in which said endoscope body includes a conductive wire having the same characteristics as said current supply wire and provided along said shape memory alloy and current supply wire; and said detecting means comprises: first detecting means for detecting the resistance of said conductive wire; second detecting means for detecting the resistances of said current supply wire and shape memory alloy; and third detecting means for detecting a difference between the resistances detected by said first and second detecting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An endoscope device according to claim 2, in which said conductive wire is connected to said current supply means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
An endoscope device according to claim 1, in which said detecting means comprises: second shape memory alloy having the same characteristics as said shape memory alloy disposed in said bending means and series-connected to said current supply wire and shape memory alloy; and means for detecting the resistance of said second shape memory alloy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
An endoscope device according to claim 4, in which said second shape memory alloy is connected to said current supply means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An endoscope device according to claim 1, further comprising: means for converting the detected resistance into the bending degree of said bending means; and means for displaying the bending degree.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
An endoscope device according to claim 1, further comprising: means for detecting the temperature of said shape memory alloy; and means for interrupting the operation of said current supply means when the temperature is outside a normal operating range.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
An endoscope device according to claim 1, in which said external device comprises: a plurality of detecting means provided for respective types of endoscope bodies; and means for selectively connecting one of said plurality of detecting means to said shape memory alloy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
92 words
A device according to claim 1, in which said current supply wire means comprises a first wire connecting one end of said shape memory alloy and said current supply means and a second wire connecting the other end of said shape memory alloy and said current supply means, and said wire means other than said current supply wire means comprises a third wire connecting one end of said shape memory alloy and said detecting means and a fourth wire connecting the other end of said shape memory alloy and said detecting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
116 words
An endoscope device comprising: an endoscope body including bending means which is provided at a tip end and has a shape memory alloy disposed therein and means for detecting the resistance of said shape memory alloy; and an external device detachably connected to said endoscope body and including current supply means for supplying current to said shape memory alloy via a current supply wire means to heat said shape memory alloy and means for controlling said current supply means according to the resistance detected by said detecting means, said detecting means including means for detecting the resistance of said shape memory alloy by use of a conductive wire means other than said current supply wire means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
116 words
An endoscope device comprising: an endoscope body including bending means which is provided at a tip end and has a shape memory alloy disposed therein and means for detecting the resistance of said shape memory alloy; and an external device detachably connected to said endoscope body and including current supply means for supplying current to said shape memory alloy via a current supply wire means to heat said shape memory alloy and means for controlling said current supply means according to the resistance detected by said detecting means, said detecting means including means for detecting the resistance of said shape memory alloy by use of a conductive wire means other than said current supply wire means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
87 words
An endoscope device according to claim 10, in which said endoscope body includes a conductive wire having the same characteristics as said current supply wire and provided along said shape memory alloy and current supply wire; and said detecting means comprises: first detecting means for detecting the resistance of said conductive wire; second detecting means for detecting the resistances of said current supply wire and shape memory alloy; and third detecting means for detecting a difference between the resistances detected by said first and second detecting means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
An endoscope device according to claim 11, in which said conductive wire is connected to said current supply means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
An endoscope device according to claim 10, in which said detecting means comprises: second shape memory alloy having the same characteristics as said shape memory alloy disposed in said bending means and series-connected to said current supply wire and shape memory alloy; and means for detecting the resistance of said second shape memory alloy.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
An endoscope device according to claim 13, in which said second shape memory alloy is provided in a connector section connected to said external device of said endoscope body.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
An endoscope device according to claim 13, in which said second shape memory alloy is connected to said current supply means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
An endoscope device according to claim 10, further comprising: means for converting the detected resistance into the bending degree of said bending means; and means for displaying the bending degree.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
An endoscope device according to claim 10, further comprising: means for detecting the temperature of said shape memory alloy; and means for interrupting the operation of said current supply means when the temperature is outside a normal operation range.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
An endoscope device according to claim 10, in which said detecting means is provided in a connector section connected to said external device of said endoscope body.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
92 words
A device according to claim 10, in which said current supply wire means comprises a first wire connecting one end of said shape memory alloy and said current supply means and a second wire connecting the other end of said shape memory alloy and said current supply means, and said wire means other than said current supply wire means comprises a third wire connecting one end of said shape memory alloy and said detecting means and a fourth wire connecting the other end of said shape memory alloy and said detecting means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
100 words
An endoscope device comprising: bending means having a shape memory alloy disposed therein; current supply means for supplying current to said shape memory alloy via a current supply wire means to heat said shape memory alloy; means for detecting the resistance of said shape memory-alloy; means for specifying the bending degree of said bending means; means for controlling said current supply means based on the detected resistance and the specified bending degree, and said detecting means including means for detecting the resistance of said shape memory alloy by use of a wire means other than said current supply wire means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
100 words
An endoscope device comprising: bending means having a shape memory alloy disposed therein; current supply means for supplying current to said shape memory alloy via a current supply wire means to heat said shape memory alloy; means for detecting the resistance of said shape memory-alloy; means for specifying the bending degree of said bending means; means for controlling said current supply means based on the detected resistance and the specified bending degree, and said detecting means including means for detecting the resistance of said shape memory alloy by use of a wire means other than said current supply wire means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
59 words
An endoscope device according to claim 20, in which said bending means includes a plurality of shape memory alloys connected in parallel; said specifying means includes means for specifying a bending direction of said bending means; and said control means includes means for controlling a current to each of said shape memory alloys according to the specified bending direction.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
An endoscope device according to claim 21, in which said bending means includes a plurality of series-connected shape memory alloys.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
92 words
A device according to claim 20, in which said current supply wire means comprises a first wire connecting one end of said shape memory alloy and said current supply means and a second wire connecting the other end of said shape memory alloy and said current supply means, and said wire means other than said current supply wire means comprises a third wire connecting one end of said shape memory alloy and said detecting means and a fourth wire connecting the other end of said shape memory alloy and said detecting means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
87 words
An endoscope device according to claim 21, in which said endoscope body includes a conductive wire having the same characteristics as said current supply wire and provided along said shape memory alloy and current supply wire; and said detecting means comprises: first detecting means for detecting the resistance of said conductive wire; second detecting means for detecting the resistances of said current supply wire and shape memory alloy; and third detecting means for detecting a difference between the resistances detected by said first and second detecting means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
An endoscope device according to claim 24, in which said conductive wire is connected to said current supply means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
54 words
An endoscope device according to claim 20, in which said detecting means comprises: second shape memory alloy having the same characteristics as said shape memory alloy disposed in said bending means and series-connected to said current supply wire and shape memory alloy; and means for detecting the resistance of said second shape memory alloy.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
An endoscope device according to claim 26, in which said second shape memory alloy is connected to said current supply means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
An endoscope device according to claim 20, further comprising: means for converting the detected resistance into the bending degree of said bending means; and means for displaying the bending degree.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
39 words
An endoscope device according to claim 20, further comprising: means for detecting the temperature of said shape memory alloy; and means for interrupting the operation of said current supply means when the temperature is outside a normal operation range.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
89 words
An actuator device comprising: an actuator formed of a shape memory alloy; current supply means for supplying current to said shape memory alloy via a current supply wire means to heat said shape memory alloy; means for detecting the resistance of said shape memory alloy; means for controlling said current supply means based on the resistance detected by said detecting means, and said detecting means including means for detecting the resistance of said shape memory alloy by use of a wire means other than said current supply wire means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
89 words
An actuator device comprising: an actuator formed of a shape memory alloy; current supply means for supplying current to said shape memory alloy via a current supply wire means to heat said shape memory alloy; means for detecting the resistance of said shape memory alloy; means for controlling said current supply means based on the resistance detected by said detecting means, and said detecting means including means for detecting the resistance of said shape memory alloy by use of a wire means other than said current supply wire means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
92 words
A device according to claim 30, in which said current supply wire means comprises a first wire connecting one end of said shape memory alloy and said current supply means and a second wire connecting the other end of said shape memory alloy and said current supply means, and said wire means other than said current supply wire means comprises a third wire connecting one end of said shape memory alloy and said detecting means and a fourth wire connecting the other end of said shape memory alloy and said detecting means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
82 words
An actuator device according to claim 30, in which said detecting means comprises: a conductive wire having the same characteristics as said current supply wire and provided along said shape memory alloy and current supply wire; first detecting means for detecting the resistance of said conductive wire; second detecting means for detecting the resistances of said current supply wire and shape memory alloy; and third detecting means for detecting a difference between the resistances detected by said first and second detecting means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
An actuator device according to claim 32, in which said conductive wire is connected to said current supply means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
49 words
An actuator device according to claim 30, in which said detecting means comprises: second shape memory alloy having the same characteristics as said shape memory alloy and series-connected to said current supply wire and shape memory alloy; and means for detecting the resistance of said second shape memory alloy.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
An actuator device according to claim 34, in which said second shape memory alloy is connected to said current supply means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
30 words
An actuator device according to claim 30, further comprising: means for converting the detected resistance into the bending degree of said bending means; and means for displaying the bending degree.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
39 words
An actuator device according to claim 30, further comprising: means for detecting the temperature of said shape memory alloy; and means for interrupting the operation of said current supply means when the temperature is outside a normal operation range.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
62 words
A shape memory alloy device comprising: deformable means including a current supply wire means and a shape memory alloy whose resistance varies when heated; means for detecting the resistance of said shape memory alloy, and said detecting means including means for detecting the resistance of said shape memory alloy by use of a wire means other than said current supply wire means.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
62 words
A shape memory alloy device comprising: deformable means including a current supply wire means and a shape memory alloy whose resistance varies when heated; means for detecting the resistance of said shape memory alloy, and said detecting means including means for detecting the resistance of said shape memory alloy by use of a wire means other than said current supply wire means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
92 words
A device according to claim 38, in which said current supply wire means comprises a first wire connecting one end of said shape memory alloy and said current supply means and a second wire connecting the other end of said shape memory alloy and said current supply means, and said wire means other than said current supply wire means comprises a third wire connecting one end of said shape memory alloy and said detecting means and a fourth wire connecting the other end of said shape memory alloy and said detecting means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
84 words
A shape memory alloy device according to claim 38, in which said detecting means comprises: a conductive wire having the same characteristics as said current supply wire and provided along said shape memory alloy and current supply wire; first detecting means for detecting the resistance of said conductive wire; second detecting means for detecting the resistances of said current supply wire and shape memory alloy; and third detecting means for detecting a difference between the resistances detected by said first and second detecting means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
A shape memory alloy device according to claim 40, in which said conductive wire is connected to said current supply means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
51 words
A shape memory alloy device according to claim 38, in which said detecting means comprises: second shape memory alloy having the same characteristics as said shape memory alloy and series-connected to said current supply wire and shape memory alloy; and means for detecting the resistance of said second shape memory alloy.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
23 words
A shape memory alloy device according to claim 42, in which said second shape memory alloy is connected to said current supply means.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
32 words
A shape memory alloy device according to claim 38, further comprising: means for converting the detected resistance into the bending degree of said bending means; and means for displaying the bending degree.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
41 words
A shape memory alloy device according to claim 38, further comprising: means for detecting the temperature of said shape memory alloy; and means for interrupting the operation of said current supply means when the temperature is outside a normal operation range.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
72 words
An endoscope comprising: bending means which is provided at a distal end of the endoscope and has a shape memory alloy disposed therein; and inserting means having at least current supply wires connected to both ends of the shape memory alloy for supplying a heating current to the shape memory alloy, and other wires connected to both ends of the shape memory alloy for detecting a resistance of the shape memory alloy.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
72 words
An endoscope comprising: bending means which is provided at a distal end of the endoscope and has a shape memory alloy disposed therein; and inserting means having at least current supply wires connected to both ends of the shape memory alloy for supplying a heating current to the shape memory alloy, and other wires connected to both ends of the shape memory alloy for detecting a resistance of the shape memory alloy.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-12-04 | 1993-06-05 | 1993-12-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-12-04 | 1997-06-05 | 1997-12-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-12-04 | 2001-06-05 | 2001-12-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |