US5388568A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Manipulator assembly for an endoscope
Assignee: Optische Industrie de Oude Delft NV
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Filing: 1991-07-08
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Granted: 1995-02-14
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Expires: 2011-07-08
Abstract
Abstract A manipulator assembly for an endoscope includes a housing for a pair of control cables, first and second gear members disposed for rotation within the housing, and an endless toothed belt member coursed about such gear members and connected to the control cables. A control knob is provided for rotating the first gear member and a stepping assembly engages the second gear member for effecting a stepwise movement of the endless belt. The stepping assembly includes a knurled disc coupled to the second gear member and a resilient element engaging the knurled disc. A control element is provided outside of the housing for disengaging the stepping assembly. The control element includes a cam disc for disengaging the resilient element from the knurled disc.
Inventors
- 👤 Hendrik T. van der Heide
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:49
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0133; A61M25/0136; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/005; A61B1/0051; A61B1/0052
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A manipulator assembly for an endoscope, which comprises: a housing member; a first pair of control cables for said endoscope extending into said housing member; first and second gear members positioned for rotation within said housing member; an endless toothed belt member coursed about said first and second gear members, said control cables being mounted to said toothed belt member; control means coupled to said first gear member for rotating said first gear member; stepping means engaging said second gear member for effecting stepwise movement of said endless toothed belt member; and control element means disposed outside said housing for disengaging said stepping means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A manipulator assembly for an endoscope, which comprises: a housing member; a first pair of control cables for said endoscope extending into said housing member; first and second gear members positioned for rotation within said housing member; an endless toothed belt member coursed about said first and second gear members, said control cables being mounted to said toothed belt member; control means coupled to said first gear member for rotating said first gear member; stepping means engaging said second gear member for effecting stepwise movement of said endless toothed belt member; and control element means disposed outside said housing for disengaging said stepping means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The manipulator assembly as defined in claim 1 and further including a second pair of control cables extending into said housing member connected to a second endless toothed belt member coursed about similarly provided with first and second gear members positioned within said housing and similarly provided with control means, stepping means and control element means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The manipulator assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said stepping means is a resilient element connected to said housing to engage a knurled disc coupled to said second gear member and wherein each of said control element means includes a cam disc rotatably positioned by a control member for disengaging said resilient element from said knurled disc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The manipulator assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said first and second pair of control cables are connected by block members to said first and second endless toothed belt members respectively, each of said block members being provided with teeth corresponding to teeth of said respective endless toothed belt member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The manipulator assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein said first and second pair of control cables are adjustably mounted to said respective block members by sleeve members threadably disposed within said block members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The manipulator assembly as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein said stepping means is a resilient element connected to said housing to engage a knurled disc coupled to said second gear member and wherein said control element means includes a cam disc rotatably positioned by a control member for disengaging said resilient element from said knurled disc.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The manipulator assembly as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein said first pair of control cables are connected by block members to said endless toothed belt member, each of said block members being provided with teeth corresponding to teeth of said endless toothed belt member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The manipulator assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said first pair of control cables are adjustably mounted to respective block members by sleeve members threadably disposed within said block members.
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) | 1998-02-13 | 1998-08-15 | 1999-02-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-02-13 | 2002-08-15 | 2003-02-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-02-13 | 2006-08-15 | 2007-02-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |