Abstract: An endoscope includes a flexible tube having a helical tube in which a thin strip plate is helically wound, a braid tube covering the outside of the helical tube, and a flexible outer tube covering the outside of the braid tube, a connection mouth ring plastically deformed and fixed to an end of the flexible tube, and a helical tube displacement preventing portion which prevents displacement of the strip plate of the helical tube at the end of the flexible tube to which the connection mouth ring is fixed, when the connection mouth ring is fixed to the end of the flexible tube.

Abstract: A flexible segment system including: a first link; a first flexible hinge integral to the first link; and a second link integral to and continuing from the first flexible hinge.

Abstract: An insertion part of an endoscope includes at least a bending portion and two portions connected to one and the other ends of the bending portion. A bending structure of the bending portion is connected at its other end adjoining area overlapping with an adjoining area of at least one of the two portions to the adjoining area of the at least one of the two portions by a fixing member. A thread member wound on an end portion of a flexible covering member covering the bending structure, the end portion corresponding to the fixing member, has a pulled-in part arranged between the outer peripheral surface of that end portion of the cover member and a winding portion formed by the wound thread member, and the pulled-in part is arranged in a side of the fixing member. The winding portion of the thread member is covered by a resin layer.

Abstract: An apparatus having an elongate hollow metal body extending along a longitudinal axis is disclosed. The hollow body defines a central opening and has a predetermined wall thickness. A pattern of laser cut slits is formed into the body. The slits define a plurality of articulatable elements. The plurality of articulatable elements enable active articulation of the body in a first plane and passive deflection in planes orthogonal to the first plane.

Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope comprises: a spiral tube including a band-shaped plate which is spirally wound; a braid which covers an outer circumferential surface of the spiral tube; and an outer skin made of a resin, which covers an outer circumferential surface of the braid, wherein the braid includes metal fibers deposited with a release agent and heat-resistant resin fibers deposited with a bonding material, the metal fibers and the resin fibers are blended in a mesh pattern, and the braid is bonded to the outer skin by the bonding material.

Abstract: A tightening string is used in an endoscope for firmly securing an outer cover of a flexible tube of the endoscope onto an internal member disposed inside the outer cover. The tightening string is comprised of a filament assembly formed by bundling a plurality of filaments made of a synthetic resin. The invention also provides an outer cover securing method, a flexible tube for an endoscope, and an endoscope equipped with the flexible tube. An outer cover securing method using the tightening string, a flexible tube for an endoscope equipped with the thus secured outer cover, and an endoscope equipped with the flexible tube are also provided.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion portion, a resin tubular covering member, a fastening member and a contact surface. The insertion portion includes a bending portion. The resin tubular covering member is covering a covering target part in the insertion portion including the bending portion. The fastening member is wound around the outer periphery of at least one end of the covering member and fastens the end to the covering target part. The contact surface is provided on the side of the covering target part covered with the end, is placed in contact with the end face of the covering member and becomes thinner toward the side of the covering member.

Abstract: An endoscope tube includes: a first area having a three or more layer structure with an element wire layer between resin layers provided to the rigid part of an operation portion; and a second area being provided from a distal end face of the rigid part of the operation portion to a bending portion through an insertion portion and having a three or more layer structure with a high-density blade layer being a high-density net layer continuous to the element wire layer of the first area between the resin layers. The element wire layer is provided between the resin layers as a low-density blade layer being a low-density net layer to reduce a rigidity of the first area to be lower than a rigidity of the second area so as to easily deform a connection part with a treatment instrument.

Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope and an endoscope device are provided. According to the present invention, a flexible tube for an endoscope is included in an insertion portion of the endoscope to be inserted into a body cavity and the flexible tube for the endoscope includes a bending portion provided at a distal end side and configured to perform a bending operation corresponding to an operation of an operator, and a flexible tube portion having a distal end and a proximal end and the distal end is connected to a proximal end side of the bending portion. The bending portion has a region that is bent at a first curvature radius when the bending portion is maximally bent, and at the distal end side of the flexible tube portion, a region that is set to be bent at a second curvature radius smaller than the first curvature radius when the bending portion is passively bent by a predetermined force quantity is provided.

Abstract: A tightening string is used in an endoscope for firmly securing an outer cover of a flexible tube of the endoscope onto an internal member disposed inside the outer cover. The tightening string is comprised of a filament assembly formed by bundling a plurality of filaments made of a synthetic resin. The invention also provides an outer cover securing method, a flexible tube for an endoscope, and an endoscope equipped with the flexible tube. Alternatively, the filament assembly may include a first filament having an elongation ratio at room temperature of greater than 10% and a second filament having a elongation ratio at room temperature of equal to or lower than 10%, in which the filament assembly is formed by twisting the first and second filaments. An outer cover securing method using the tightening string, a flexible tube for an endoscope equipped with the thus secured outer cover, and an endoscope equipped with the flexible tube are also provided.

Abstract: An endoscope comprising: an endoscope flexible portion that includes: a low-hardness varying portion which is located in a predetermined region extending from a distal end of the flexible portion, and has hardness varying from the lowest hardness in the flexible portion to a predetermined hardness higher than the lowest hardness, the hardness being the lowest hardness at the distal end of the flexible portion, the hardness being the predetermined hardness at a proximal end of the low-hardness varying portion; a hard portion which is located in a predetermined region extending from a proximal end of the flexible portion, and has the highest hardness in the flexible portion; and an intermediate-hardness varying portion which is located between the low-hardness varying portion and the hard portion, and has hardness gradually varying in a region extending from the proximal end of the low-hardness varying portion to a distal end of the hard portion.

Abstract: Methods and systems for nested cannula configuration involving helical tubes (40). The nested cannula (60) includes a plurality of telescoping tubes cooperatively configured and dimensioned to reach a target location relative to an anatomical region through a set of arcs (11, 21, 41) including one or more helical arcs (41) with each arc being determined between a point associated with the anatomical region and the target location. In particular, a three-dimensional image (51) of the anatomical region is utilized to generate the series of arcs, which in turn are utilized to calculate a pathway (53) that is utilized to configure and dimension the tubes.

Abstract: A steerable multi-linked device may include a first multi-linked mechanism and a second multi-linked mechanism. At least one of the first multi-linked mechanism and the second multi-linked mechanism may include a first link, a plurality of intermediate links, a second link movably coupled to a second one of the intermediate links and a reinforcing member. A first one of the intermediate links may be movably coupled to the first link, and the reinforcing member may extend from a first end of a third one of the intermediate links toward a second end of the third one of the intermediate links.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an arc-shaped flexible printed circuit film type endoscope using an imaging device. The endoscope includes an image photographing means and an object insertion means. The image photographing means includes a head housing to which an imaging device and an illumination means are mounted, and functions to photograph an image. The object insertion means includes an arc-shaped flexible thin foil, an insulating adhesive film, a circuit film and an insulating protective film which are layered and inserted into an interior of an object to be inspected. The object insertion means is connected at one end thereof to the image photographing means and connected at the other end to a transmission cable via a connector.

Abstract: The present invention provides an endoscopic apparatus including a partial structure, wherein the partial structure includes: a metallic member; a polymer layer that contains a polymer including a vinylidene fluoride unit; and an epoxy resin layer disposed on the polymer layer, and wherein the polymer layer and the epoxy resin layer are disposed in this order on a surface of at least a part of the metallic member.

Abstract: An endoscope including a deflection section, an objective head, a deflection section cover and a sleeve. The deflection section comprises a flexible frame. The objective head is connected to a front end of the deflection section. The deflection section cover extends over the deflection section and extends over a portion of the objective head. The sleeve is located on an exterior side of the objective head and an exterior side of the deflection section cover at a joint between the objective head and the deflection section cover. The sleeve compresses the deflection section cover against the objective head. Another compression sleeve can be located on an exterior side of a shaft cover and the deflection section cover at a second joint, wherein the second sleeve compresses the shaft cover and the deflection section cover against a frame of a shaft of the endoscope.

Abstract: Embolic protection and plaque removal apparatus and methods are provided wherein an aspiration device aspirates, filters and reperfuses blood using a closed fluid circuit having a bi-directional working lumen. The plaque removal device includes a plurality of self-expanding cutting elements that form a cage that self-centers within the blood vessel to reduce the risk of trauma to the vessel lining.

Abstract: An endoscope of the invention is the endoscope for applying a propulsion force in a direction of insertion axis of an insertion portion main body in accordance with rotation of the insertion portion main body based on driving force of a driving member, and the endoscope includes a flexible elongated inner layer tube configured as a shaft of the insertion portion; and a spiral-shaped portion rotatable around the inner layer tube as an axial center based on the driving force of a motor, the spiral-shaped portion forming an outer surface of the insertion portion main body, in which the spiral-shaped portion is formed by a nondensely wound coil and a resin thin film provided so as to cover gaps of a wire forming the metal coil.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided with a bending tube including sequentially connected plural bending pieces constituting a bending section which is provided in a slim and elongated insertion portion and which is brought into a bending operation by remote control, a distal end section which is provided in the front end side of this bending tube and which constitutes the front end side of the insertion portion, a flexible tube section which is provided in the base end side of the bending tube and which constitutes the rear end side of the insertion portion, and a covering member which is disposed to cover the bending tube and which has elasticity in order that both end portions of the covering member are fixed to the distal end section or the flexible tube section by being fastened radially inward, wherein the relationship represented by 0.3D<d<1.0D is established between a thickness d of the covering member fixed by fastening and the thickness D of the covering member before being fixed by fastening.

Abstract: The invention provides a flexible tube for an endoscope, which is excellent in elasticity (impact resilience), has suitable flexibility and also has chemical resistance. Disclosed is a flexible tube for an endoscope including a flexible-tube material covered thereon with a jacket, wherein the jacket contains two or more thermoplastic polyester elastomers crosslinked therein.

Abstract: A medical device is provided for use in surgery or endoscopy. The device has a control handle, shaft, and end effector. The end effector includes a flexible bending section utilizing layered flat springs to enable two-way deflection of the bending section. Alignment, spacing, and material composition allows movement of the bending section consistent in direction and degree. Multiple bending sections may be joined sequentially to allow for multiple axis for deflection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a structural unit, an endoscope and an adhering method that suppress deterioration in adhesive strength of an adhesive that adheres plural structural members that structure the endoscope. An imaging unit 68 side of an adhesive 88 is covered by a first moisture-proof coating 91, and an obverse side of the adhesive 88 is covered by a second moisture-proof coating 92. Due thereto, in autoclave sterilization processing or the like, even if moisture passes along a wire portion 86 and penetrates into the imaging unit 68, penetration of the moisture into the adhesive is suppressed by the first moisture-proof coating 91. Due thereto, deterioration in adhesive strength of the adhesive, that adheres plural structural members of the imaging unit 68, can be suppressed.

Abstract: A flexible endoscope providing increased control to an operator or user, the flexible endoscope utilizing an ionic polymeric material positioned in the shaft of the endoscope, such that, upon application of an electrical current to the ionic polymeric material, the material contracts and becomes relatively rigid. The flexible endoscope may further include mechanical controls for control of the flexible shaft allowing the user to simultaneously actuate both the polymeric material and mechanically deflect the shaft.

Abstract: A sheath useful for remote steering, guidance and/or manipulation of a flexible instrument, including e.g. an endoscope, received through the sheath.

Abstract: An introducer sheath or catheter can be formed in two or more layers with an inner layer made of a higher durometer material and an outer layer made of a lower durometer material. The inner layer can have one or a combination of the following: one or more longitudinal slits, overlapping portions, monolithic hinges, or other formations to allow for radial expansion.

Abstract: In this invention, a drum around which an insertion portion is wound is integrally housed in a carrying case, and a cylinder for supplying a fluid to a hydropneumatic actuator and a solenoid valve unit for controlling the application of a hydropneumatic pressure are housed in the carrying case or drum. In addition, a joystick for operating the controlled variables of the solenoid valve unit can be housed in the carrying case.

Abstract: A rigid endoscope includes an outer housing subassembly that supports an optics subassembly. The outer housing subassembly includes concentric tubes with optical fiber for providing object illumination. The optics subassembly includes a tubular sheath sealed at both ends for carrying lenses and other optical elements. First and second positioners associated with the optics subassembly and the outer housing subassembly, respectively, limit the transfer of axial forces from the proximal end of the endoscope to the tubular sheath.

Abstract: An endoscope flexible portion includes a spiral tube that is formed by spirally winding a strip-shaped member and has a hollow portion, a mesh tube that is disposed on the outer periphery of the spiral tube and is formed by braiding together fine wires, an operation-use angle wire that is disposed inside the spiral tube and is formed by bundling together metal strands into a stranded wire in order to operate a curving portion disposed on a distal end side of the endoscope, and an outer sheath member that covers the outer periphery of the mesh tube. A coating layer formed of poly-para-xylylene resin is formed on the outer peripheral surface of at least one of the spiral tube, the mesh tube or the operation-use angle wire.

Abstract: There is provide an endoscope soft portion including: a spiral tube that is formed by spirally winding a strip-shaped member; a mesh tube that is disposed on the outer periphery of the spiral tube and is formed in an annular shape by braiding together fine wires; and an outer sheath member that covers the outer periphery of the mesh tube, wherein the mesh tube is formed by a thermoplastic resin material, and a poly-para-xylylene resin layer is coated on the outer peripheral surface of the mesh tube.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided which comprises an elongated body adapted for insertion into a body lumen, and a plurality of electrically controlled actuators associated with the body which are controllable to impart an orientation to the body that is complimentary to the natural orientation of the lumen into which the endoscope is inserted.

Abstract: A flexible tube making up most of the length, in the longitudinal direction, of an insertion section of an endoscope from a connection section of the insertion section to a manipulation section. The flexible tube including a helical tube formed with a strip shaped member wound in a helical shape and a mesh tube at the outer periphery of the helical tube, the mesh tube formed in a ring shape from braided fine wires. A thermoplastic resin is formed in a patterned shape at the outer periphery of the mesh tube, and an outer skin, formed at the outer periphery of the mesh tube at which is formed the thermoplastic resin, is made from a material that has a smaller thermal deformation than the thermoplastic resin. The flexible tube of the endoscope is not readily thermally deformed and is not readily imparted with a permanent or semi-permanent curvature when autoclave processing.

Abstract: A rigid endoscope includes an outer housing subassembly that supports an optics subassembly. The outer housing subassembly includes concentric tubes with optical fiber for providing object illumination. The optics subassembly includes a tubular sheath sealed at both ends for carrying lenses and other optical elements. A slow-curing adhesive material fills an annular gap between the optics and outer housing subassemblies. The adhesive material has a tear strength that seals and positions the optics subassembly for normal use and that enables the optics subassembly to be withdrawn from the outer housing subassembly for repair.

Abstract: A flexible tube device has proximal and distal ends, for attachment of the proximal end to a handle assembly of an endoscope. The flexible tube device includes a spiral pipe formed by helically winding an elongate strip of metal. A tubular mesh material is disposed around the spiral pipe. A jacket material is disposed around the tubular mesh material, and formed from rigid resin and non-rigid resin. In the jacket material, a content of the non-rigid resin is higher than a content of the rigid resin at the proximal end. The content of the rigid resin gradually increases from the proximal end toward a first change point predetermined nearer to the proximal end than to the distal end. The content of the rigid resin is higher than the content of the non-rigid resin at the first change point.

Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope comprises: a spiral tube including a band-shaped plate which is spirally wound; a braid which covers an outer circumferential surface of the spiral tube; and an outer skin made of a resin, which covers an outer circumferential surface of the braid, wherein the braid includes metal fibers deposited with a release agent and heat-resistant resin fibers deposited with a bonding material, the metal fibers and the resin fibers are blended in a mesh pattern, and the braid is bonded to the outer skin by the bonding material.

Abstract: The invention provides a flexible tube for an endoscope, which is excellent in elasticity (impact resilience), has suitable flexibility and also has chemical resistance. Disclosed is a flexible tube for an endoscope including a flexible-tube material covered thereon with a jacket, wherein the jacket contains two or more thermoplastic polyester elastomers crosslinked therein.

Abstract: An insertion tube for an endoscope includes a braid tube, the braid tube includes fine line portions arranged in a braided manner and intersecting portions where the fine line portions intersect with each other, and the fine line portions is restricted with each other in the intersecting portions.

Abstract: An endoscope flexible tube comprises: a tubular structure having flexibility; and a shell layer on an outer peripheral surface of the tubular structure, wherein the shell layer has a two-layer structure including a rigid resin layer of a rigid resin and a soft resin layer of a soft resin, and wherein the two-layer structure is maintained over the entire flexible tube in its length direction.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion portion, a resin tubular covering member, a fastening member and a contact surface. The insertion portion includes a bending portion. The resin tubular covering member is covering a covering target part in the insertion portion including the bending portion. The fastening member is wound around the outer periphery of at least one end of the covering member and fastens the end to the covering target part. The contact surface is provided on the side of the covering target part covered with the end, is placed in contact with the end face of the covering member and becomes thinner toward the side of the covering member.

Abstract: A borescope device having an insertion tube, a camera head assembly, and a fluid supply system. The camera assembly includes through holes allowing fluid escape. The fluid supply system is controllable to force fluid through the through holes. The fluid supply system may be actuated to cool the camera head assembly.

Abstract: A flexible endoscope providing increased control to an operator or user, the flexible endoscope utilizing an ionic polymeric material positioned in the shaft of the endoscope, such that, upon application of an electrical current to the ionic polymeric material, the material contracts and becomes relatively rigid. The flexible endoscope may further include mechanical controls for control of the flexible shaft allowing the user to simultaneously actuate both the polymeric material and mechanically deflect the shaft.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided with a pliable tube composed of an integument layer formed from a resin and a metal tube integrally fitted into this integument layer in an insertion portion. The inner diameter dimension of the pliable tube at ambient temperature after application of the thermal load of the high-pressure steam sterilization step is larger than the inner diameter dimension at ambient temperature before application of the thermal load.

Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope has an elongated tubular core body, and an outer cover which is provided over the core body. The outer cover is composed of an inner layer, an outer layer and at least one intermediate layer. In this flexible tube, any one of the layers is different from one of the other layers in its property. Further, at least one of the layers has a thickness-varying region where the thickness of the layer varies in its longitudinal direction. In addition, the inner layer of the outer cover has projections which are integrally formed on the inner layer so that the projections project into holes and/or the recesses formed on the core body. This structure makes it possible to produce a flexible tube for an endoscope that has high durability, high flexibility and high chemical resistance as well as excellent operationability.

Abstract: An inspection system includes a cooling apparatus for conducting visual inspections within operating temperature environments, such as, for example, the interior of a combustion turbine shortly after shut down. The cooling apparatus provides cooling for an inspection probe such as a video borescope. The cooling apparatus includes an articulating guide tube having a control portion, an elongate flexible portion and an articulating section. The video borescope is inserted down through the articulating guide tube. A thermal protective sleeve surrounds and thermally insulates a portion of the articulating guide tube. Vortex coolers circulate cooled, compressed air within the cooling apparatus, thereby maintaining a cool video borescope operating temperature.

Abstract: Endoscopic apparatus, including a probe (9) having an anterior component (12) and a posterior component (14), and a flexible dual-sleeved tube (31). The flexible dual-sleeved tube consists of a flexible external sleeve (26) and a flexible internal sleeve (36) within the external sleeve. The sleeves are coupled between the anterior component and the posterior component so as to define an enclosure (37) between the sleeves, which enclosure is inflated in order to propel the anterior component within a lumen (49).

Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope includes a tubular core member, and an outer cover provided around the core member, the outer cover being formed of a material containing as a major component thereof polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomer and polyolefin, wherein the amount of the polyolefin contained in the material is 5 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomer. The polyolefin is mainly constituted from polypropylene, and the average thickness of the outer cover is 0.08 to 0.9 mm.

Abstract: An flexible tube for an endoscope having excellent resilience and durability is provided. The flexible tube for an endoscope includes a spiral coil formed by helically winding a band-shaped member, a reticular tube formed by braiding a plurality of fine wires and provided over the spiral coil, and a flexible outer cover provided over the reticular tube. The fine wires include at least one first fine wire having a coating layer mainly made from a resin material and at least one second fine wire having no such a coating layer, and the first fine wire is made more flexible than the second fine wire. The difference between the flexibilities of the first fine wire and the second fine wire can be obtained in such a way (method) that the first fine wire is made from a constituent material softer than a constituent material of the second fine wire, or that the diameter of the first fine wire is made to be smaller than the diameter of the second fine wire, or the like.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided with a pliable tube having an integument layer made of a resin constituting an insertion portion and at least one slender tube element inserted through the insertion portion. The amount of contraction of the pliable tube after application of a thermal load during a high-pressure steam sterilization step is set larger than the amount of contraction of the tube element after application of thermal load during the high-pressure steam sterilization step.

Abstract: A transesophageal probe shaft has a cover which is formed by a plurality of separate layers joined by a pressure sensitive adhesive. In a preferred embodiment the cover forms the outer cover of an articulating section of the probe. The layers are chosen to be thin enough so that the stiffness of the cover does not significantly restrain the bending of the articulating section. The adhesive viscosity is chosen to enable the joined layers to be able to move relative to each other as the probe is bent, and to be able to flow to fill any small cut in the cover caused by biting through the cover.

Abstract: A flexible tube for an endoscope has an elongated tubular core body, and an outer cover which is provided over the core body. The outer cover is composed of an inner layer, an outer layer and at least one intermediate layer. In this flexible tube, any one of the layers is different from one of the other layers in its property. Further, at least one of the layers has a thickness-varying region where the thickness of the layer varies in its longitudinal direction. In addition, the inner layer of the outer cover has projections which are integrally formed on the inner layer so that the projections project into holes and/or the recesses formed on the core body. This structure makes it possible to produce a flexible tube for an endoscope that has high durability, high flexibility and high chemical resistance as well as excellent operationability.

Abstract: In an outer sheathed endoscope, an outer sheath (20) for shielding a flexible insertion portion (11, 12, 13) from the outside is disposed to detachably cover the flexible insertion portion (11, 12, 13). The basal end of the flexible insertion portion is connected to an operation portion (15). In the outer sheathed endoscope, A break prevention member (100) which is formed by an elastic material is disposed to surround a basal end part of the flexible insertion portion (11, 12, 13), and the outer sheath (20) is formed to cover continuously the flexible insertion portion (11, 12, 13) and the break prevention member (100).