Abstract: An endoscope comprising an endoscope shaft (2) having in the front end portion a movable section, with the endoscope shaft (2) having provided therein at least one miniaturized electric drive member (22) for moving the movable section (4).

Abstract: An apparatus for surgically manipulating tissue without causing irreparable damage to the tissue during retention and manipulation is disclosed. The tissue manipulator apparatus includes a shaft having proximal and distal ends, a rod member with proximal and distal ends circumferentially contained within the shaft, a contact member having at least one tissue contact surface area comprising a plurality of projections connected to the distal end of the rod member, and a handle member attached near the proximal end of the shaft. The plurality of projections preferably point in the direction of retraction of the targeted tissue. The apparatus is designed to distribute the interdentating contact over the tissue micro surface area in an effort to reduce reliance on pressure induced friction alone.

Abstract: A bendable portion for an endoscope includes a bending mechanism which minimizes the bendable portion diameter and allows a large degree of bending. A bending mechanism embodiment uses a shape memory alloy coil encircling the elastic body of the bendable portion. The shape memory alloy coil is heated to define the shape of the bendable portion.

Abstract: An articulation mechanism for an endoscope wherein the endoscope has a generally elongated shaft and cables extending between a control head located at the proximal end thereof and an objective assembly located at the distal end thereof wherein the objective assembly is capable of being deflected over an arcuate co-planar path by the articulation mechanism is shown. The articulation mechanism comprises a proximal ring having a first outer edge and a second outer edge and the proximal ring is operative coupled to the distal end of the endoscope at one of the first outer ring and second outer ring and having a coupling member defined on the other of the first outer ring and second outer ring. A central ring having a first outer edge and a second outer edge, each of which defines an actuation member, is operatively connected by one of the actuation members to the coupling member.

Abstract: A bendable portion for an endoscope includes a bending mechanism which minimizes the bendable portion diameter and allows a large degree of bending. A first bending mechanism embodiment uses fluid pressure in an axially oriented chamber in a elastic body of the bendable portion. Expansion restraining members are used to restrict the expansion of the bendable portion to only the axial direction, and to protect internal members in the bendable portion. A second bending mechanism embodiment uses a shape memory alloy coil encircling the elastic body of the bendable portion. The shape memory alloy coil is heated to define the shape of the bendable portion.

Abstract: A bending drive member to bend a bending member is arranged to extend in the direction of length of an elongate tube having flexibility, and attached to near the distal end of the tube with the distal end of the bending drive member being restricted in its position. The bending member drive member comprises a shape memory member formed by bundling together a plurality of wire-like shape memory materials each having a length, that spans from the position of one end to the other end, reversibly changed upon heating/cooling. The length of the shape memory member is changed dependent on a drive signal from a unit with a capability of heating. A non-compressive coil sheath through which the bending drive member extends is fixed at a distal end thereof to the elongate tube while the proximal end of the coil sheath is a free end with respect to the elongate tube.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus according to the present invention includes a warping velocity control device which receives an angle of warp detected by an angle detection device and a value of an electric current realized at this angle of warp and detected by an electric current detection device. The control device makes comparisons between the angle of warp and the value of the electric current and data about a normal state stored in a storage device. If the result is larger than data for the normal state by a predetermined value, the warping velocity is lowered while a discrimination is made that an abnormal state (the warp-enabled portion has come in contact with the body wall) takes place. Additionally, the apparatus could include a time detecting device for detecting a time in which an electric quantity supplied to a drive means is larger than a predetermined time. The warping velocity control device controls the warping velocity according to the comparison made by the time detecting device.