Olympus Optical Company, Ltd.

Michio Satou

Hideo Ito

Akira Suzuki

Takayasu Miyagi

Ryuichi Toyama

Atsushi Watanabe

Kan Naito

Three magnetic field generating coils on the distal end side of the shape detection probe are provided in the curvable portion, and the first coil at the leading end position is placed at the position corresponding to the leading end curvable piece, whereas the third coil at the position corresponding to the trailing end curvable piece. Further, the second coil is placed at a middle position between the leading end curvable piece and the trailing end curvable piece in the curvable portion. With this structure, the accuracy of detecting the shape of the curvable portion can be improved, and the production cost of the system as a whole can be lowered.

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Hachioji, Japan

Michio Satou