Abstract: A puncture instrument capable of punctured high frequency treatments. The puncture instrument essentially includes: a guide tube to be inserted into an intracavitary portion of a patient; a puncture needle member having an elongated needle body slidably received in the guide tube, and a sharp-pointed needle head provided contiguously at the fore end of the elongated needle body and protrudable out of the guide tube to penetrate into a target intracorporeal portion to be treated when the needle body is manipulated in a forward direction; and a high frequency electrode provided on a fore end portion of the needle body to be penetrated into the target intracorporeal portion together with the sharp-pointed needle head.

Abstract: A flexible sheathing tube suitable for encasing an elongated flexible body like a flexible insertion rod of an endoscope or other insertion type examination istrument, and a method for fabrication of such sheathing tubes. The flexible sheathing tube being of the type is basically provided with a flexible base structure having at least an open helical coil member of a cylindrical shape, a protective mesh sleeve fitted on the helical coil member, and an insulating outer coating layer formed on the protective mesh sleeve. The sheathing tube is further provided with an inner coat layer of a resilient material formed on the inner side of the helical coil member in such a manner as to cover the inner periphery of the helical coil member completely, filling in gap spaces between open helices of the coil member.

Abstract: Plural contents such as a light guide and a forceps tube, which are inserted into an insertion part of an endoscope, are connected with each other via an elastic member such as thin wall tubes, etc. at one or more positions in the insertion part. The elastic member changes its form with the dislocation of the contents in the longitudinal direction of the insertion part resulting from the bending of the insertion part. If the insertion part is straightened, the contents are restored to their original positions by the restitutive force of the elastic member.

Abstract: A flexible sheathing tube suitable for encasing an elongated flexible body like a flexible insertion rod of an endoscope or other insertion type examination instrument, and a method for fabrication of such sheathing tubes. The flexible sheathing tube being of the type is basically provided with a flexible base structure having at least an open helical coil member of a cylindrical shape, a protective mesh sleeve fitted on the helical coil member, and an insulating outer coating layer formed on the protective mesh sleeve. The sheathing tube is further provided with an inner coat layer of a resilient material formed on the inner side of the helical coil member in such a manner as to cover the inner periphery of the helical coil member completely, filling in gap spaces between open helices of the coil member.

Abstract: A flexible sheathing tube particularly suitable for use on an endoscopic insertion rod or flexible light guide cable, the sheathing tube having a laminated wall basically including a helical coil as a flexible base structure and a tubular metal wire netting placed around the helical coil member. The helical coil member has a certain number of helices thereof tightly closed and fixed to each other into the form of a rigid ring at least at one end of the sheathing tube to be trimmed in a subsequent stage. The end ring provides a rigid support uniformly on and around the inner periphery of the tubular netting, permitting a cutter blade to cut the end of the sheathing tube to a predetermined length by a straight clear cut through the laminated wall and the backing end ring.

Abstract: A multi-plane electronic scan ultrasound probe having a rotary member rotatably mounted on a distal end portion of an elongated catheter member of the probe and support thereon an ultrasound transducer consisting of a row of a large number of ultrasound elements. The rotary member is connected to a rotation control knob on a manipulating head of the probe by way of rotation transmission wires extended through the catheter member and via a drive pulley mounted on the manipulating head in association with the rotation control knob to turn the ultrasound transducer through an arbitrary angle in multi-plane electronic scanning by manipulation of the rotation control knob.

Abstract: A joint construction for connecting a flexibly bendable angle section of an endoscopic insertion rod with an anteriorly and/or posteriorly located section of the insertion rod, including a line-wrapping layer formed on a fore end portion of a resilient outer skin layer of the angle section at a joint with the adjoining section, and a rigid cover ring fitted on the line-wrapping layer for protective purposes. The rigid cover ring is externally tapered or gradually thinned down in its front and rear end portions to provide front and rear bevel surfaces.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe with a needle guide passage for a puncture needle, the ultrasound probe having an ultrasound transducer mounted on a girder portion of a rigid fore end section at the distal end of a flexible insert section of a catheter member to be introduced into an intracavitary portion, and a needle passage provided axially within the catheter member for launching the puncture needle therethrough. The needle passage is turned toward an exit opened on a lateral side portion of the rigid fore end section at a position on the near side of the ultrasound transducer. The rigid fore end section of the catheter member is provided with a bent portion which is turned off the axis of the catheter member through a predetermined angle in a direction away from a needle launching direction of the needle passage at a position on the near side of the exit opening of the needle passage.

Abstract: A catheter type ultrasound probe having an ultrasound transducer mounted on a rigid fore end section at the tip end of a soft and flexible body section of a catheter member to be introduced into an intracavitary portion. The catheter member includes an articular joint section which is connected between the rigid fore end section and the flexible body section, the articular joint section having front and rear joint members pivotally connected with each other for angular flexing movements in directions forward and rearward of an active face (a signal transmission and reception surface) of the ultrasound transducer on the rigid fore end section of the catheter member. A biasing mechanism is mounted on the articular joint section to urge a front joint member constantly rearward of the active face of the ultrasound transducer into a bent position off the axis of the catheter member along with the rigid fore end section.

Abstract: An endoscope has a flexible insert portion that is inserted into an object to be inspected. A light guide, an image guide or signal cable, an instrument channel and other lengthwise members are provided therein. At least one elastic restoring body is provided in the insert portion in order to restore the lengthwise members to their original positions when straightened back after bending or curving of the insert portion.

Abstract: An endoscope angling mechanism which is provided with: an angle operating means including a pair of first and second operating wires to be pulled to and fro for arcuately bending an angle portion of joint ring structure at the distal end of an insert section extending contiguously from an operating section of an endsoscope, the first operating wire having the fore end thereof securely stopped on an angle ring in the foremost position in the angle portion or to a rigid portion at the distal end of the angle portion and the second operating wire having the fore end thereof securely stopped on an angle ring in a position posterior to and spaced from the foremost angle ring by a predetermined number of angle rings; and a restraining means for restraining forward movement of the second operating wire in angling operation until operated with a predetermined increased force.

Abstract: A material magazine for automatically feeding material such as long steel bars to a metal working machine including at least two parallel chain-conveyers, material guide rollers, a material arrival detecting means, and a material feed roller. The chain-conveyers are driven by a hydraulic motor which runs with a predetermined rotating force continuously produced when overloaded and have material push rollers with the axes vertically upward of the carrying faces of the chain-conveyers. The material push rollers are not only spaced in the direction of the conveyers but also arranged to form straiaght rows in the direction perpendicular to the conveyers, forming material holding spaces between them in the direction perpendicular to the conveyors. The material guide rollers are provided at or near one end of each of the conveyers with the axes kept vertical so that the material guide rollers may be arranged straight and parallel to the rows of the material push rollers.