Abstract: The invention relates to an intracorporeal probe (10), for example preferably for examining hollow organs or natural or artificially created body cavities in the human or animal body, the probe (10) being designed in the form of a capsule that can be introduced into the body without external connecting elements, comprising an elongate housing (16) and an image pickup unit (26) inside the housing (16) that is designed for optically recording a region (pickup region) outside the probe (10). The image pickup unit (26) is held in a fashion capable of moving inside the housing (16) in order to vary the pickup region by means of such a movement (FIG. 1).

Abstract: An endoscopic device for autonomous locomotion through a selected body cavity in a predetermined direction, the device comprising a hollowed, cylindrical body that extends between two, preferably, the front and rear, end portions, respectively. The body is made of a relatively elastic material and includes an anchor for temporarily and alternately attaching the end portions to a wall portion of the body cavity in synch with corresponding axial extensions and contractions of the body. The body incorporates a reinforcement structure distributed along its length that is substantially rigid in a radial direction and yields in an axial direction, the structure specifically comprising either a plurality of relatively rigid rings or at least one helical spring.

Abstract: An endoscopic device capable of autonomous locomotion through a body cavity in a pre-established direction of displacement is described. The endoscopic device comprises a tubular body that extends between a front end portion and a rear end portion and a reinforcement structure distributed along the length of the tubular body. Each end portion includes an anchoring means for temporarily and alternately attaching the end portions to a wall of the body cavity.

Abstract: An endoscopic device capable of autonomous locomotion through a body cavity with a pre-established direction of displacement, comprising a tubular body (1) made of an elastic material extending between two, front (2) and rear (3) end portions respectively comprising pneumatically actuated anchoring means (4) for temporarily and alternately attaching said end portions to the wall of the body cavity in synchronism with corresponding axial extensions and contractions of the tubular body. The tubular body incorporates a reinforcement structure (6, 7) distributed along its length that is substantially rigid in the radial direction and yielding in the axial direction. The tubular body wall is formed by superimposed inner (9) and outer (10) layers, the reinforcement structure being incorporated therebetween. Through openings (11, 12, 13) are formed on the outer layer for allowing air possibly entered between the inner layer and the outer layer from the inside of the tubular body to be discharged to the outside.

Abstract: The invention relates to an intracorporeal probe (10), for example preferably for examining hollow organs or natural or artificially created body cavities in the human or animal body, the probe (10) being designed in the form of a capsule that can be introduced into the body without external connecting elements, comprising an elongate housing (16) and an image pickup unit (26) inside the housing (16) that is designed for optically recording a region (pickup region) outside the probe (10). The image pickup unit (26) is held in a fashion capable of moving inside the housing (16) in order to vary the pickup region by means of such a movement (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A self-propelled endoscopic device with anchor system, comprising a tubular body of variable length extending between front end and rear end sections with respective anchors for securing the ends, temporarily and alternately, to a wall of a body cavity in synch with corresponding axial contractions and elongations of the tubular body that result from injection of compressed air and, hence, creation of a vacuum therein. Also provided is a pneumatic actuator of a mobile jaw of the anchors sliding axially on a multichannel support, wherein at least one suction hole is formed for generating a vacuum suitable for drawing surrounding tissue of the body cavity into the anchors. A relatively evenly perforated diaphragm is placed, coaxially with the support, at the suction hole and in a spaced relationship from the surface of the support, the width of the perforations being generally smaller than that of the suction hole.

Abstract: An endoscopic device for autonomous locomotion through a body cavity with a predetermined direction, the device comprising a tubular body constructed of a relatively elastic material that extends between two, preferably, the front and rear, end portions, respectively. The tubular body includes an anchor for temporarily and alternately attaching the end portions to a wall portion of the body cavity in synch with corresponding axial extensions and contractions of the tubular body. The tubular body incorporates a reinforcement structure distributed along its length that is substantially rigid in a radial direction and yields in an axial direction, the structure specifically comprising either a plurality of relatively rigid rings or at least one helical spring.

Abstract: An endoscopic device for locomotion in a body cavity according to a prefixed advancing direction (A) comprising at least a variable length intermediate section (1a, 21a) extending between a front end section (1b, 21b) and a rear end section (1c, 21c). First and second clamping means (7, 12, 27, 32) are integral to the front and rear section, for alternately grasping respective surrounding portions of wall (P) of the body cavity. Sucking means (13, 14, 37, 38) are associated to the first and second clamping means for creating a depression sufficient to cause the body cavity wall portions to collapse within the first and second clamping means while they are in an open condition.

Abstract: A proportional valve is disclosed for controlling the outlet pressure of a fluid flowing therethrough. The valve comprises a valve body having an inlet port and an outlet port for the fluid. The valve also has an inner chamber, within which there is formed a valve seat that may be opened and closed variably by a shutter axially movable from and towards the valve seat. Movement of the shutter is controlled by a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuating member operating antagonistically to an elastic member, the temperature of the fluid being lower than the transition temperature of the shape memory alloy. The actuating member and the elastic member are connected to the body valve at opposite sides relative to the valve seat. A power control circuit is also provided for circulating an electric current through the actuating member so as to heat the same by Joule effect from a temperature lower than the transition temperature to one that is higher.

Abstract: A proportional valve for the control of the outlet pressure of a fluid flowing therethrough comprising a valve body (1) with an inlet port (15) and an outlet port (17) for the fluid and an inner chamber (8), within which there is formed a valve seat (9) whose opening is varied by means of a shutter (10) axially movable from and towards the valve seat, the movement of the shutter being controlled by a SMA actuating member (11) acting antagonistically to elastic means (12), the temperature of the fluid being lower than the transition temperature of the shape memory alloy. The actuating member and the elastic means are connected to the valve body (1) at opposite sides with respect to the valve seat and power means (105) are provided to be activated for circulating an electric current through said actuating member to heat it by Joule effect from a temperature lower than the transition temperature to an higher one.

Abstract: An endoscopic device for locomotion in a body cavity according to a prefixed advancing direction (A) comprising at least a variable length intermediate section (1a, 21a) extending between a front end section (1b, 21b) and a rear end section (1c, 21c). First and second clamping means (7, 12, 27, 32) are integral to the front and rear section, for alternately grasping respective surrounding portions of wall (P) of the body cavity. Sucking means (13, 14, 37, 38) are associated to the first and second clamping means for creating a depression sufficient to cause the body cavity wall portions to collapse within the first and second clamping means while they are in an open condition.