Abstract: A self-propelled colonoscope comprises a tubular flexible insertion portion (15) inserted into the colon and an endless belt (17) arranged on a circulating path on a part of the outer wall and the inner wall of the flexible insertion portion (15) The endless belt (17) travels outside the flexible insertion portion (15) initially as supported by the guide hooks (39), mounted on the outer wall of the flexible insertion portion, at the distal end portion of the flexible insertion portion (15) and then passes through the guide pipe (43) arranged on the inner wall of the flexible insertion portion (15) At least a part of the guide hook (39) is embedded in the outer wall of the flexible insertion portion (15) And, a pulley (61) is attached at the distal end of the circulating path of the endless belt (17).

Abstract: A self-propelled colonoscope comprises a tubular flexible insertion portion (15) inserted into the colon and an endless belt (17) arranged on a circulating path on a part of the outer wall and the inner wall of the flexible insertion portion. The endless belt (17), supported by the guide hooks (39) mounted on the outer wall of the flexible insertion portion at the distal end portion of the flexible insertion portion (15), travels outside the flexible insertion portion (15). And, the endless belt (17) passes through the guide pipe (43) mounted on the inner wall of the flexible insertion portion (15) at a portion other than the distal end portion. The circulating path on the outer wall of the flexible insertion portion (15) is 10 to 60 cm in length.

Abstract: A self-propelled colonoscope includes a tubular flexible insertion portion inserted into the colon, an endless belt arranged on a circulating path around the outer and inner walls of the flexible insertion portion, a driving mechanism to drive the endless belt, and a guide pipe extending along the circulating path and guiding the endless belt inside the flexible insertion portion. At the distal end of the flexible insertion portion, the guide pipe passes through a guide hole penetrating the flexible insertion portion to the outside, and the flange section formed at the distal end of the guide pipe adheres to the outer wall of the flexible insertion portion. Accordingly, the body of the colonoscope (especially the insertion tube) can be kept from being contaminated when the endless belts are driven or the body of the colonoscope is cleaned.

Abstract: A colonoscope (1) is equipped with a plurality of endless belts (17) at circulating passes around an outside and an inside of a flexible section (15) thereof and also equipped with a driving mechanism for driving the endless belts. Each of the endless belt (17) is mounted to the colonoscope (1) such that a separated belt is passed through the circulating pass and then the both ends of the separated endless belt are adhered with an adhesive. At this point, the lead and tail ends of the separated endless belt are placed in a positioning groove formed on a mounting tool and then adhered face to face each other. Thus, the endless belt can be mounted to the flexible section of the colonoscope easily and securely.

Abstract: The self-propelled colonoscope (1) is self-inserted into a colon by driving endless belts (17) mounted on the outside of the bending section (15) of the insertion tube (9). The cross section of the endless belt (17) is substantially circular and a rack gear teeth having a circular cross section are formed on the outside of the endless belts (17). A recess having a circular cross section and pinion gear teeth which correspond to the shape of the endless belt and the rack gear teeth. Since the endless belt (17) has a circular cross section, it can easily bend in all radial directions. Upon insertion of the insertion tube (9) into the colon, the endless belt (17) can easily follow the movement of the insertion tube (9).

Abstract: The self-propelled colonoscope (1) is self-inserted into a colon by driving endless belts (17) mounted on the outside of the bending section (15) of the insertion tube (9). The cross section of the endless belt (17) is a substantially circle and a rack gear teeth having a cross section of circle are formed on the outside of the endless belts (17). And, a recess having a cross section of semi-circle and pinion gear teeth which are corresponded to the shape of the endless belt and the rack gear teeth. Since the endless belt (17) has across section of circle so as to have equal bending ability in all radial direction, the endless belt (17) can easily bend in all direction. So, on the insertion of the insertion tube (9) into the colon, the endless belt (17) can be easily followed the motion of the insertion tube (9).

Abstract: A self-propelled colonoscope (1) includes an insertion tube (5) having a distal section (11), a bending section (13) and a flexible section (15), an operation unit (7) and driving unit. A plurality of endless belts (17) are arranged at the surface of the flexible section (15). Each endless belt (17) passes out to the surface of the flexible section (15) through a guide hole near the tip of the flexible section (15) by driving a driving unit mounted at a driving casing. The colonoscope is self-propelled into the colon by driving the endless belt (17). A length of the endless belt is 102 to 104% of the length of such as endless belt, when the endless belt tensely turns around, from the guide hole near the tip of the flexible section to the same hole, through the driving unit, while the flexible section (15) is maintained straight.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided, being insertable in the colon of a patient, in a self-propelled manner, by driving a plurality of endless belts mounted along the outside surface of a flexible section of an insertion tube thereof, and having a cleaning mechanism therein to be easily cleaned after use. A self-propelled colonoscope (1) is an endoscope insertable in the colon by driving endless belts (10) mounted along the almost entire length of a flexible section (4) of an insertion tube (5), and having guide pipes, which guide returning endless belts, being mounted in the insertion tube thereof, each of said guide pipes being provided with an opening for a cleaning brush (35) and a casing (31), which surrounds the endless belt driving unit, being formed with a cleaning window (33), said window being provided with a lid (37).

Abstract: A self-propelled colonoscope (1) includes an insertion tube (5) having a distal section (11), a bending section (13) and a flexible section (15), an operation unit (7) and driving unit. A plurality of endless belts (17) are arranged at the surface of the flexible section (15). Each endless belt (17) passes out to the surface of the flexible section (15) through a guide hole near the tip of the flexible section (15) by driving a driving unit mounted at a driving casing. The colonoscope is self-propelled into the colon by driving the endless belt (17). A length of the endless belt is 102 to 104% of the length of such as endless belt, when the endless belt tensely turns around, from the guide hole near the tip of the flexible section to the same hole, through the driving unit, while the flexible section (15) is maintained straight.

Abstract: A propellant support apparatus to help a self-propelled colonoscope in its smooth insertion, said colonoscope being insertable in the colon of a patient by driving a plurality of endless belts, mounted along the flexible section of an insertion tube of the colonoscope, without causing pain to the patient even at initial insertion of the colonoscope, comprising an insertable anal pipe (1) that has a smooth outer surface and a high frictional inner surface. By using motive force produced by friction between the high frictional inner surface (3) of the insertable anal pipe (1) and the outside circles of endless belts (23), mounted along an insertion tube (21) of the colonoscope, the propellant support apparatus helps the insertion tube (21) to propel forward, without causing damage to the inside wall of the anus, whereby the colonoscope can be inserted into the colon smoothly.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided, being insertable in the colon of a patient, in a self-propelled manner, by driving a plurality of endless belts mounted along the outside surface of a flexible section of an insertion tube thereof, and having a cleaning mechanism therein to be easily cleaned after use. A self-propelled colonoscope (1) is an endoscope insertable in the colon by driving endless belts (10) mounted along the almost entire length of a flexible section (4) of an insertion tube (5), and having guide pipes, which guide returning endless belts, being mounted in the insertion tube thereof, each of said guide pipes being provided with an opening for a cleaning brush (35) and a casing (31), which surrounds the endless belt driving unit, being formed with a cleaning window (33), said window being provided with a lid (37).

Abstract: An endoscope is provided, being insertable in the colon of a patient, in a self-propelled manner, by driving a plurality of endless belts mounted along the outside surface of a flexible section of an insertion tube thereof, and having a cleaning mechanism therein to be easily cleaned after use. A self-propelled colonoscope (1) is an endoscope insertable in the colon by driving endless belts (10) mounted along the almost entire length of a flexible section (4) of an insertion tube (5), and having guide pipes, which guide returning endless belts, being mounted in the insertion tube thereof, each of said guide pipes being provided with an opening for a cleaning brush (35) and a casing (31), which surrounds the endless belt driving unit, being formed with a cleaning window (33), said window being provided with a lid (37).

Abstract: A self-propelled colonoscope comprises control part and an insertion tube including a distal part, a bending part, and a flexible part. The distal part is equipped with an image pickup element. Two or more endless belts each of which is circular in cross section extend along the surface of the flexible part from a guide hole positioned at a distance of less than 3 cm from the distal end of the flexible part to the control part. The endless belts are driven by a driving mechanism located at the control part. They are guided from the inner surface of the flexible part to the outer surface through the guide hole. The endless belts are held by guide hooks which are arranged on the outer surface of the flexible part. The length of each endless belt is equal to about 105% to 150% of an imaginary endless belt fully tensioned and extending from said control part to a respective guide hole. The colonoscope can be easily, safely and rapidly inserted into the colon without causing pain to a patient.

Abstract: A self-propelled colonoscope comprises control part and an insertion tube including a distal part, a bending part, and a flexible part. The distal part is equipped with an image pickup element. Endless belts extend along the surfaces of the flexible part from a guide hole positioned at a distance of 3 to 10 cm from the distal end of the flexible part to the control part. The endless belts are driven by a driving mechanism situated in the control part. They are guided from the inner surface of the flexible part to the outer surface through the guide hole. The endless belts are held by guide hooks which are arranged on the outer surface of the flexible part. The colonoscope can be safely and rapidly inserted into the colon without causing pain to a patient thanks to the particular length of the endless belts. The endless belts are driven to guide the colonoscope by the effect of friction between the endless belts and the wall of the colon.

Abstract: This invention relates to an endoscope in which an endless belt is guided around via the interior and the exterior of an insertion tube of the endoscope and this endless belt is turned in contact with the body cavity wall surface, thereby enabling to insert the endoscope quickly.The endless belt is guided around between a hole formed at the forward end portion of the insertion tube and a control portion at the proximal end of the insertion tube in a manner to be partially exposed to the outside of the insertion tube, while, a drive means for turning the endless belt is provided in the control portion.