# US 8,540,625 B2 · Endoscope

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 8,540,625 B2
- Document ID: US8540625B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/626,493
- Filed: 2012-09-25
- Published: 2013-04-25
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2011-03-29
- Assignees: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
- Applicants: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
- Inventors: Hiroaki Miyoshi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540625B2

## CPC

- A61B 1/00066: {Proximal part of endoscope body, e.g. handles (A61B1/0052 takes precedence)}
- A61B 1/009: {with bending or curvature detection of the insertion part}
- A61B 1/0016: {using motor drive units}
- A61B 1/0052: {Constructional details of control elements, e.g. handles}
- A61B 1/0057: {Constructional details of force transmission elements, e.g. control wires}
- A61M 25/0136: {Handles therefor}
- A61M 25/0147: {with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires}
- A61M 2025/0161: {wherein the distal tips have two or more deflection regions}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

An endoscope includes an insertion portion, a bending operation input portion, a first bending drive mechanism and a second bending drive mechanism. The insertion portion includes a first bending portion and a second bending portion disposed at the proximal end of the first bending portion. The bending operation input portion can bend the first bending portion. The first bending drive mechanism bends the first bending portion in accordance with the operation of the bending operation input portion. The second bending drive mechanism can automatically bend the second bending portion in the same direction as the bending direction of the first bending portion in conformity to the first bending portion after the start of the bending of the first bending portion.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An endoscope comprising:
an insertion portion which includes a first bending portion and a second bending portion provided at the proximal end of the first bending portion;
a first traction wire with one end coupled to the first bending portion, the first traction wire being configured to bend the first bending portion in a predetermined direction;
an operation input portion configured to input an operation to pull the first traction wire;
a second traction wire with one end coupled to the second bending portion, the second traction wire being configured to bend the second bending portion in a predetermined direction; and
a bending conforming mechanism which includes one end coupled to the other end of the second traction wire and the other end coupled to the operation input portion, and which is configured to pull the second traction wire so as to bend the second bending portion at a bending velocity lower than the bending velocity of the first bending portion which is bent by a pull of the first traction wire being pulled by the input of an operation to the operation input portion and in conformity to the first bending portion after a start of the bending of the first bending portion by pulling the first traction wire.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein
the bending conforming mechanism includes:
a damping device which is configured to suppress the pulling velocity of the second traction wire so that the pulling velocity of the second traction wire is lower than the pulling velocity of the first traction wire when the first traction wire and the second traction wire are pulled by the input of an operation to the operation input portion, and
an elastic member which is configured to elastically expand and generate the traction force in response to the input of the operation to the operation input portion.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The endoscope according to claim 2, further including a connection portion which connects the elastic member and the damping device, wherein:
the elastic member has one end coupled to the operation input portion, and
the second traction member is connected to the connection portion.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising a switch mechanism which is configured to switch between an interlock condition to interlock and pull the second traction wire with the pulling operation of the first traction wire and a non-interlock condition to stop the pulling operation of the second traction wire to release the interlock and pulling of the second traction wire with the first traction wire.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein the switch mechanism is provided in the vicinity of the operation input portion.