US4969709A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mechanism for bending elongated body
Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1989-10-11
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Granted: 1990-11-13
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Expires: 2009-10-11
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
2026-10-24 12:43
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: 12
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 and a shape-memorizing alloy is disposed in a portion within said elongated body corresponding to a tip of said optical fiber such that said shape-memorizing alloy is heated by said tip of said optical fiber thereby bending said shape-memorizing alloy and in turn said elongated body and said optical fiber.
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 and a shape-memorizing alloy is disposed in a portion within said elongated body corresponding to a tip of said optical fiber such that said shape-memorizing alloy is heated by said tip of said optical fiber thereby bending said shape-memorizing alloy and in turn said elongated body and said optical fiber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
108 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 and a shape-memorizing alloy is disposed in a portion within said elongated body corresponding to a tip of said optical fiber such that said shape-memorizing alloy is heated by said tip of said optical fiber thereby bending said shape-memorizing alloy and in turn said elongated body and said optical fiber, wherein at least one of said optical fiber and said shape-memorizing alloy is mounted in said elongated body in such a manner as to be movable longitudinally therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
108 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 and a shape-memorizing alloy is disposed in a portion within said elongated body corresponding to a tip of said optical fiber such that said shape-memorizing alloy is heated by said tip of said optical fiber thereby bending said shape-memorizing alloy and in turn said elongated body and said optical fiber, wherein at least one of said optical fiber and said shape-memorizing alloy is mounted in said elongated body in such a manner as to be movable longitudinally therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body as set forth in claim 2, wherein said optical fiber is longitudinally movably mounted in said elongated body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body as set forth in claim 2, wherein a plurality of optical fibers are longitudinally movably mounted in said elongated body, the positions of said plurality of optical fibers being different in the longitudinal direction of said elongated body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body as set forth in claim 2, wherein said shape-memorizing alloy is longitudinally movably mounted in said elongated body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body as set forth in claim 2, wherein said elongated body comprises a portion of an endoscope including an image fiber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
97 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 and a shape-memorizing alloy is disposed in a portion within said elongated body corresponding to a tip of said optical fiber such that said shape-memorizing alloy is heated by said tip of said optical fiber thereby bending said shape-memorizing alloy and in turn said elongated body and said optical fiber, wherein a predetermined portion of said cladding at said tip of said optical fiber is cut away.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
97 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 and a shape-memorizing alloy is disposed in a portion within said elongated body corresponding to a tip of said optical fiber such that said shape-memorizing alloy is heated by said tip of said optical fiber thereby bending said shape-memorizing alloy and in turn said elongated body and said optical fiber, wherein a predetermined portion of said cladding at said tip of said optical fiber is cut away.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The mechanism for bending an elongated body as set forth in claim 7, wherein said optical fiber is longitudinally movable mounted in said elongated body.
Claim 12
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.
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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) | 1993-11-12 | 1994-05-14 | 1994-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-11-12 | 1998-05-14 | 1998-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-11-12 | 2002-05-14 | 2002-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |