US4904048A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Mechanism for bending elongated body
Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1988-02-09
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Granted: 1990-02-27
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Expires: 2008-02-09
Abstract
Abstract A mechanism for bending an elongated body such as the tube of an endoscope without the use of electric elements, thereby eliminating a shock hazard. A shape-memorizing alloy is inserted into the elongated body at portions to be bent. In some embodiments, heat for causing the shape-memorizing alloy and hence the elongated body to bend is produced by light carried by an optical fiber, while in other embodiments frictional heat produced by a mechanism vibrator is employed. In some embodiments using light, a shutter arrangement is added to control the heating of the shape-memorizing alloy.
Inventors
- 👤 Ichiro Sogawa
- 👤 Nao-omi Maeda
- 👤 Kazuhiko Hayashi
- 👤 Masahiko Kanda
- 👤 Koro Yotsuya
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:02
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/005; A61B1/0058; A61F; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0014; A61F2210/0023; A61F2210/0047; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/35; G02B6/3502; G02B6/3564; G02B6/3568; G02B6/3576
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
In a mechanism for bending an elongated body including an optical fiber, the improvement wherein said optical fiber comprises a core for leading a heating light beam and a cladding, a predetermined portion of said cladding is cut away, and a shape-memorizing alloy is inserted in the cut-away portion of the cladding such that said shape-memorizing alloy is heated with light leaking from said core of the optical fiber thereby bending said shape-memorizing alloy and in turn said elongated body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
In a mechanism for bending an elongated body including an optical fiber, the improvement wherein said optical fiber comprises a core for leading a heating light beam and a cladding, a predetermined portion of said cladding is cut away, and a shape-memorizing alloy is inserted in the cut-away portion of the cladding such that said shape-memorizing alloy is heated with light leaking from said core of the optical fiber thereby bending said shape-memorizing alloy and in turn said elongated body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body as set forth in claim 1, wherein said light beam is a laser beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body as set forth in claim 1, wherein a tip end surface of said optical fiber is formed with a reflecting member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body as set forth in claim 1, wherein a substance having a refractive index different from that of said cladding is formed on said cut-away portion of said cladding.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cut-away portion of said cladding is longitudinally provided with a plurality of thin film sections having different absorption wavelength characteristics.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body as set forth in claim 1, wherein said elongated body comprises a portion of an endoscope including an image fiber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a mechanism for bending an elongated body including an optical fiber, the improvement wherein said optical fiber comprises a core for leading a heating light beam and a cladding, a predetermined portion of said cladding is cut away, a shape-memorizing alloy is inserted in the elongated body adjacent the cut-away portion of said cladding, and said optical fiber is inserted in a tube for controlling a condition under which said shape-memorizing alloy is irradiated and thus heated with light leaking from said cut-away portion of said cladding thereby bending said shape-memorizing alloy and in turn said elongated body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a mechanism for bending an elongated body including an optical fiber, the improvement wherein said optical fiber comprises a core for leading a heating light beam and a cladding, a predetermined portion of said cladding is cut away, a shape-memorizing alloy is inserted in the elongated body adjacent the cut-away portion of said cladding, and said optical fiber is inserted in a tube for controlling a condition under which said shape-memorizing alloy is irradiated and thus heated with light leaking from said cut-away portion of said cladding thereby bending said shape-memorizing alloy and in turn said elongated body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body as set forth in claim 7, wherein said light beam is a laser light.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body as set forth in claim 7, wherein said tube is perforated with a several of holes circumferentially arranged at a predetermined spacing in a longitudinal direction of said tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body as set forth in claim 7, wherein a helical hole is formed in said tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body as set forth in claim 7, wherein said tube is formed with a slot extending in the longitudinal direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body as set forth in claim 7, wherein a reflecting member is formed on a tip end surface of said optical fiber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body as set forth in claim 7, wherein said elongated body comprises a portion of an endoscope including an image fiber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body is set forth in claim 7, wherein said tube is movable back and forth in a longitudinal direction thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body as set forth in claim 7, wherein said tube is rotatable around a longitudinal axis thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
76 words
In a mechanism for bending an elongated body including an optical fiber, the improvement wherein said optical fiber comprises a core for leading a light beam and a cladding, a predetermined portion of said cladding being cut away, a shape-memorizing alloy is inserted in the cut-away portion, and a member constituting a bending part of said elongated body in which said shape-memorizing alloy is disposed has an elastic modulus which varies in a longitudinal direction thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
76 words
In a mechanism for bending an elongated body including an optical fiber, the improvement wherein said optical fiber comprises a core for leading a light beam and a cladding, a predetermined portion of said cladding being cut away, a shape-memorizing alloy is inserted in the cut-away portion, and a member constituting a bending part of said elongated body in which said shape-memorizing alloy is disposed has an elastic modulus which varies in a longitudinal direction thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body as set forth in claim 16, wherein said light beam is a laser beam.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body as set forth in claim 16, wherein a tip end surface of said optical fiber is formed with a reflecting part.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
54 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body as set forth in claim 16, wherein said bending part in which said shape-memorizing alloy is disposed is provided in the vicinity of a tip of said elongated body, and a member constituting said bending part has an elastic modulus which gradually diminishes towards the tip thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body as set forth in claim 16 or 19, wherein said bending part in which said shape-memorizing alloy is disposed has a varying thickness.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body as set forth in claim 16 or 19, wherein said bending part in which said shape-memorizing alloy is disposed is formed by joining a plurality of synthetic resin members.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body as set forth in claim 16, wherein said elongated body comprises a portion of an endoscope including an image fiber.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
55 words
A mechanism for bending an elongated body, comprising: an exciter, a vibrating member connected to said exciter and slidably contactually disposed in a predetermined portion within said elongated body, and at least one segment of a shape-memorizing alloy disposed in a portion of said elongated body corresponding to a slide-contacting portion of said vibrating member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
55 words
A mechanism for bending an elongated body, comprising: an exciter, a vibrating member connected to said exciter and slidably contactually disposed in a predetermined portion within said elongated body, and at least one segment of a shape-memorizing alloy disposed in a portion of said elongated body corresponding to a slide-contacting portion of said vibrating member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body as set forth in claim 23, wherein said exciter comprises an ultrasonic exciter.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body as set forth in claim 23, wherein said elongated body comprises a portion of an endoscope including an image fiber.
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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) | 1993-02-26 | 1993-08-28 | 1994-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-26 | 1997-08-28 | 1998-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-26 | 2001-08-28 | 2002-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |