IP Library Granted Patent US 6,878,108
Granted Patent B2
US 6,878,108 · App. 10/042,157 · Granted Apr 12, 2005

Insertion unit for endoscope

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,878,108
App. No.
10/042,157
Granted
Apr 12, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

An insertion unit for an endoscope includes a flexible tube having an inner diameter D 1 and an inner cross-sectional area S, and a plurality of components inserted and arranged in said flexible tube. The plurality of components include at least one optical fiber bundle. The insertion unit is configured such that the inner diameter D 1 is not less than 6.5 mm and the inner cross-sectional area S satisfies the condition of 0.5≦Σs/s≦0.6, where Σs represents a sum of cross-sectional areas of the components arranged in the flexible tube. Alternatively, the insertion unit is configured such that the inner diameter D 1 is less than 6.5 mm and the inner cross-sectional area S satisfies the condition of 0.5≦Σs/s≦0.65.

Claims (16)

1. An insertion unit for an endoscope, comprising:

a flexible tube having an inner diameter D 1 and an inner cross-sectional area S; and

a plurality of components inserted and arranged inside said flexible tube inner diameter, said components including an optical fiber bundle,

wherein, said inner diameter D 1 is not less than 6.5 mm and said inner cross-sectional area S satisfies a condition:

0.5≦Σ s/S≦ 0.6

where Σs represents a sum of cross-sectional areas of said components arranged inside said flexible tube inner diameter.

2. The insertion unit according to claim 1 , wherein said inner diameter D 1 is the inner diameter at the narrowest portion of said flexible tube.

3. The insertion unit according to claim 1 , comprising a bendable member connected to said flexible tube, said bendable member being bent with said plurality of components inserted therein, said inner diameter D 1 being the inner diameter in the vicinity of where said bendable member is connected to said flexible tube.

4. An insertion unit of an endoscope, comprising:

a flexible tube having an inner diameter D 1 and an inner cross-sectional area S; and

a plurality of components inserted and arranged inside said flexible tube inner diameter, said components including an optical fiber bundle,

wherein, said inner diameter D 1 is less than 6.5 mm and said inner cross-sectional area S satisfies a following condition:

0.5≦Σ s/S≦ 0.65,

where Σs represents a sum of cross-sectional areas of said components arranged inside said flexible tube inner diameter.

5. The insertion unit according to claim 4 , wherein said inner diameter D 1 is the inner diameter at the narrowest portion of said flexible tube.

6. The insertion unit according to claim 5 , comprising a bendable member connected to a distal end of said flexible tube, said bendable member being bent with said plurality of components inserted therein, said inner diameter D 1 being the inner diameter in the vicinity of a position where said bendable member is connected to said flexible tube.

Assignments (4)
CHANGE OF ADDRESS OF ASSIGNEE Recorded May 9, 2017
From: HOYA CORPORATION
To: HOYA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 042424/0318 →
MERGER Recorded Mar 30, 2017
From: PENTAX CORPORATION
To: HOYA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 042114/0463 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 29, 2004
From: ASAHI KOGAKU KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
To: PENTAX CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 015517/0808 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 11, 2002
From: OUCHI, TERUO
To: ASAHI KOGAKU KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 012470/0637 →