US5702349A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endoscope with acutely angled handle and associated focus adjustment mechanism
Assignee: Fujinon Corp
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Filing: 1995-06-02
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Granted: 1997-12-30
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Expires: 2015-06-02
Abstract
Abstract A cylindrical grip member is connected to a back end of a body of an operation section at hand. The grip member is connected to face forward so that its axis can be at an acute angle against an axis of the back end of an insertion section. As for the grip member, it is possible to keep the body of the operation section horizontal if the grip member is held by a wrist in a natural way. Therefore, when this endoscope is used, the extra force does not have to be added to the wrist during observation. And, in the case that an angle formed by the body of the operation section and the grip member is set at 20°-45°, it is possible to hold the grip member in such a manner that an arm holding the grip member is put against the side of a human body, that is, the underarm is tightened, so the body of the operation section can be stably supported.
Inventors
- 👤 Masaaki Morizumi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00188; A61B1/00064; A61B1/00066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
An endoscope, comprising: a body section; a rotatable operating section having a longitudinal axis, a first end mounted to the body section and a second end; an insertion element comprising an insertion cable, a wire extending through the insertion cable and a lens system connected to the wire and mounted in a distal end of the insertion cable, the insertion element mounted at a proximal end to the rotatable operating section and extending from the second end thereof; a grip section having a longitudinal axis and mounted to the body section and extending toward the insertion element such that the longitudinal axis of the rotatable operating section and the longitudinal axis of the grip section intersect at an acute angle; and focus adjustment means in the rotatable operating section for translating a rotation of the rotatable operating section into a longitudinal movement of the wire, wherein the rotatable operating section is disposed adjacent to an intersection between the body section and the grip member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
An endoscope, comprising: a body section; a rotatable operating section having a longitudinal axis, a first end mounted to the body section and a second end; an insertion element comprising an insertion cable, a wire extending through the insertion cable and a lens system connected to the wire and mounted in a distal end of the insertion cable, the insertion element mounted at a proximal end to the rotatable operating section and extending from the second end thereof; a grip section having a longitudinal axis and mounted to the body section and extending toward the insertion element such that the longitudinal axis of the rotatable operating section and the longitudinal axis of the grip section intersect at an acute angle; and focus adjustment means in the rotatable operating section for translating a rotation of the rotatable operating section into a longitudinal movement of the wire, wherein the rotatable operating section is disposed adjacent to an intersection between the body section and the grip member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the acute angle is in a range of 20°-45°.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the grip member is rotatably mounted to the body section thereby making the acute angle adjustable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The endoscope according to claim 3, further comprising a lock member for locking a position of the grip member relative to the body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein the acute angle is adjustable over a range from 20° to 45°.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
224 words
A hand holdable endoscope, comprising: an operation section having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end; a rotatable focus adjustment section having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end, the first end mounted to the first end of said operation section, the longitudinal axes of said focus adjustment section and said operation section being aligned with one another; a connection portion having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the second end of said focus adjustment section; an insertion section connected to and extending from the second end of said connection portion and having a forward end containing a focus lens system; a grip member mounted to said operation section and having a longitudinal axis, said grip member extending from said operation section toward said insertion section in such a manner that the longitudinal axis of said grip member is at an acute angle against the longitudinal axes of said focus adjustment section and said operation section; and a focus adjustment wire extending through said insertion section, said focus adjustment wire fixed at one end to said focus adjustment section and at an opposite end to said focus lens system, whereby the focus adjustment section is adapted to be rotated by a finger of a hand of an operator holding the grip member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
224 words
A hand holdable endoscope, comprising: an operation section having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end; a rotatable focus adjustment section having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end, the first end mounted to the first end of said operation section, the longitudinal axes of said focus adjustment section and said operation section being aligned with one another; a connection portion having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the second end of said focus adjustment section; an insertion section connected to and extending from the second end of said connection portion and having a forward end containing a focus lens system; a grip member mounted to said operation section and having a longitudinal axis, said grip member extending from said operation section toward said insertion section in such a manner that the longitudinal axis of said grip member is at an acute angle against the longitudinal axes of said focus adjustment section and said operation section; and a focus adjustment wire extending through said insertion section, said focus adjustment wire fixed at one end to said focus adjustment section and at an opposite end to said focus lens system, whereby the focus adjustment section is adapted to be rotated by a finger of a hand of an operator holding the grip member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The endoscope according to claim 6, wherein the acute angle formed by the extension of the longitudinal axes and the extended axis of grip member is set within a range from 20° to 45°.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The endoscope according to claim 6, wherein the mounting of said grip member is a rotatable mounting to the operation section, so that the acute angle formed by the extension of the longitudinal axes and the extended axis of the grip member is adjustable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The endoscope according to claim 8, further comprising a lock member to retain the angle at a desired angle.
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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) | 2000-12-29 | 2001-06-30 | 2001-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-29 | 2005-06-30 | 2005-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-29 | 2009-06-30 | 2009-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |