Endoscope
AssigneeRichard Wolf GmbH
InventorJorg Diener
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An endoscope is disclosed which is flexible at least section-wise and comprises at least one picture guide with an objective arranged at the distal side, and an eyepiece as well as a light guide arranged at the proximal side and a shank surrounding these components. The shank is made from a superelastic material and is dimensioned such that the endoscope is automatically restored to its original shape.
Claims10
A hollow shank endoscope, flexible at least section-wise, comprising at least one picture guide (2) with an objective (6) arranged at its distal side, an eyepiece (9) arranged at the proximal side, further comprising at least one light guide (3) and a surrounding tubular shank (1), characterized in that the shank (1) is made from a continuous walled, one-piece, tubular superelastic material and is so dimensioned, that the endoscope is automatically restored to its original shape by mechanical elasticity when the endoscope is removed from a body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.