The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 08, 1992
Filed:
Sep. 26, 1991
Rick L Shockey, Coon Rapids, MN (US);
Clarus Medical Systems, Inc., Plymouth, MN (US);
Abstract
An improved endoscope having a flexible tip portion with both a selectable angle of deflection, and a selectable radius of curvature to provide a more maneuverable endoscope for use by a physician. It includes a body member receiving a rigid tube within a lumen thereof. The tube extends toward, but short of the distal end of the body member to define a deflectable tip portion. A pull-wire is positioned within the rigid tube and lumen and extends from the body member's proximal end to the body member's distal end. By selectively retracting the pull-wire in the proximal direction, the distal end of the flexible tip portion is deflected about the distal end of the rigid tube. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a second rigid tube is telescopingly received within the first rigid tube. The second tube is selectively extendable beyond the distal end of the first rigid tube into the lumen of the body member. In this manner, the length of the flexible tip portion of the endoscope is selectable to determine a radius of curvature of the flexible tip portion as well.