# US 12,007,614 B2 · Medical observation system and transmission cable > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,007,614 B2 - Document ID: US12007614B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/799,934 - Filed: 2021-01-22 - Published: 2023-03-02 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2020-03-11 - Assignees: Sony Olympus Medical Solutions Inc. - Applicants: Sony Olympus Medical Solutions Inc. - Inventors: Kenji Sakamoto - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12007614B2 ## CPC - G02B 6/4416: {Heterogeneous cables} - A61B 1/00: Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes (examination of body cavities or body tracts using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/12; endoscopic instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy A61B10/04); Illuminating arrangements therefor (for the eyes A61B3/00) - A61B 1/00105: {characterised by modular construction} - A61B 1/00114: {Electrical cables in or with an endoscope} - A61B 1/00167: {Details of optical fibre bundles, e.g. shape or fibre distribution} - A61B 1/07: using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres - G02B 6/4401: {Optical cables (glass fibres with a protective coating G02B6/02395)} - G02B 6/4477: {with means for strain-relieving to interior strengths element} - A61B 1/00149: {using articulated arms} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Provided is a medical observation system capable of preventing disconnection of metal cables without increasing the thickness of a braided shield wire. The medical observation system includes a transmission cable including: an optical cable having one or more optical fiber cores; a plurality of metal cables arranged around the optical cable; and a tension member made of a high-strength fiber, and disposed in parallel with an extending direction of the optical cable. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A medical observation system comprising a transmission cable including: an optical cable including one or more optical fiber cores; a plurality of metal cables arranged around the optical cable; and a tension member made of an insulating fiber, disposed in parallel with an extending direction of the optical cable, and in a first gap between the optical cable and the metal cables or in a second gap between the metal cables and an outer periphery of the transmission cable. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The medical observation system according to claim 1, wherein the metal cables are arranged so as to form a spiral structure around the optical cable, and the tension member is disposed between the optical cable and the metal cables. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The medical observation system according to claim 1, wherein a periphery of the optical cable, the metal cables, and the tension member is covered with a braided shield wire. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The medical observation system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the tension members is arranged rotationally symmetrically around the optical cable in a corresponding plurality of gaps. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The medical Observation system according to claim 1, wherein a connector is disposed at an end of the transmission cable, and an end of the tension member is fixed to the connector. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The medical observation system according to claim 5, wherein the component included in the connector includes a first component and a second component, and the tension member is fixed by being wound around the first component and clamped by the second component. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The medical observation system according to claim 1, wherein the tension member is between the optical cable and the metal cables. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The medical observation system according to claim 1, further comprising a shield that surrounds the optical cable, the metal cables and the tension member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The medical observation system according to claim 1, further comprising a shield that surrounds the optical cable and the metal cables. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The medical observation system according to claim 9, wherein the second gap is between the metal cables and the shield. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The medical observation system according to claim 9, wherein the tension member extends through the shield. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The medical observation system according to claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the transmission cable is maintained with the inclusion of the tension member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The medical observation system according to claim 1, wherein the tension member is made of high-strength insulating fiber. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The medical observation system according to claim 1, wherein the insulating fiber has at least one of para-aramid fiber, polyethylene fiber, polyarylate fiber, and polyparaphenylene benzobis oxazole fiber. ### Claim 15 A transmission cable comprising: an optical cable including one or more optical fiber cores; a plurality of metal cables arranged around the optical cable; and a tension member made of an insulating fiber, disposed in parallel with an extending direction of the optical cable and in a first gap between the optical cable and the metal cables or in a second gap between the metal cables and an outer periphery of the transmission cable. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The transmission cable according to claim 15, wherein a plurality of the tension members is arranged rotationally symmetrically around the optical cable in a corresponding plurality of gaps. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The transmission cable according to claim 15, further comprising a shield that surrounds the optical cable, the metal cables and the tension member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The transmission cable according to claim 15, further comprising a shield that surrounds the optical cable and the metal cables. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The transmission cable according to claim 18, wherein the second gap is between the metal cables and the shield. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The transmission cable according to claim 18, wherein the tension member extends through the shield. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The transmission cable according to claim 15, wherein an outer diameter of the transmission cable is maintained with the inclusion of the tension member. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) The transmission cable according to claim 15, wherein the tension member is made of high-strength insulating fiber. ### Claim 23 (depends on 15) The transmission cable according to claim 15, wherein the insulating fiber has at least one of para-aramid fiber, polyethylene fiber, polyarylate fiber, and polyparaphenylene benzobis oxazole fiber.