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:
Mar. 31, 1998
Filed:
Dec. 10, 1996
Hirotaka Kawano, Omiya, JP;
Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd., Omiya, JP;
Abstract
An endoscope provided with a curved portion protecting mechanism which is capable of straightening the curved portion securely and protecting the insertion portion itself from damage. The endoscope is provided with an end portion �ac! in which an observing means is disposed and an insertion portion including a curved portion which is freely bent, the insertion portion being inserted into a body cavity through a mantle tube. A flexible tube is laid from the end portion to a predetermined position through the curved portion, and a hard straightening rod for straightening the curved portion is withdrawably disposed in the flexible tube. A rack-and-pinion mechanism is connected to the straightening rod, which is advanced and withdrawn by a rotary operating means of an endoscope operating portion. In this manner, when the straightening rod is inserted into the flexible tube by the rotary operating means, the curved portion is straightened securely.