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:
Feb. 10, 2004
Filed:
Jun. 06, 2000
Takayasu Miyagi, Hachioji, JP;
Michio Satou, Hachioji, JP;
Hideo Ito, Akishima, JP;
Akira Suzuki, Kitatsuru-gun, JP;
Atsushi Watanabe, Hino, JP;
Kan Naito, Hachioji, JP;
Ryuichi Toyama, Hachioji, JP;
Olympus Optical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
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.