IP Library Granted Patent US 9,351,631
Granted Patent B2
US 9,351,631 · App. 14/445,578 · Granted May 31, 2016

Bending angle adjustment mechanism for endoscope and endoscope having the bending angle adjustment mechanism

Inventor: Reiji Koyama (Tachikawa, JP)
Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
A61B1/008A61B1/0011A61B1/0052A61B1/0057A61B1/01A61B1/313
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,351,631
App. No.
14/445,578
Granted
May 31, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A bending angle adjustment mechanism for an endoscope includes a rod member that is disposed along a traveling path of a long member that is connected to a bending portion that is bendable and is pulled, a support member made of metal that is integrally provided to support both ends of the rod member, an adjustment piece that is engaged with the rod member, is movable along the rod member, and restricts movement of the long member, a guide member made of resin having a guide surface for guiding movement of the adjustment piece, wherein the guide member is fixed in a state in which the guide member is sandwiched between the adjustment piece and the support member so that the guide surface is disposed in a position capable of guiding the adjustment piece.

Claims (15)

1. A bending angle adjustment mechanism for an endoscope, comprising:

a rod member that is disposed along a traveling path of a long member that is connected to a bending portion that is bendable and is pulled;

a support member made of metal that is integrally provided to support both ends of the rod member;

an adjustment piece that is engaged with the rod member, is movable along the rod member, and restricts movement of the long member; and

a guide member made of resin having a guide surface for guiding movement of the adjustment piece;

wherein

the guide member is fixed in a state in which the guide member is sandwiched between the adjustment piece and the support member so that the guide surface is disposed in a position capable of guiding the adjustment piece.

2. The bending angle adjustment mechanism for an endoscope according to claim 1 , wherein in the rod member, a threaded portion is formed on a surface.

3. The bending angle adjustment mechanism for an endoscope according to claim 2 , wherein the support member is a plate-shaped member that is provided to be substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the rod member, and has both ends formed into plate shapes that are bent at substantially right angles.

4. The bending angle adjustment mechanism for an endoscope according to claim 3 , further comprising:

a rotation preventing member that prevents the rod member from rotating with respect to the guide member, with the longitudinal direction of the rod member as an axis.

5. The bending angle adjustment mechanism for an endoscope according to claim 1 , wherein the guide member has a groove portion integrally forming a plurality of the guide surfaces.

6. The bending angle adjustment mechanism for an endoscope according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a snap fit that fixes the guide member to the support member.

7. An endoscope comprising the bending angle adjustment mechanism according to claim 1 .

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2015
From: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
To: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 036276/0543 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 29, 2014
From: KOYAMA, REIJI
To: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
Reel/Frame 033412/0586 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2013-003844 · Jan 11, 2013 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTJP2013077096 · Oct 4, 2013
Related Publication 20150025319A1 · Jan 22, 2015