Bendable tube assembly

Abstract

Abstract Bendable tube assembly for an endoscope comprised of a plurality of thin-walled cylindrical segments arranged in series endwise to each other. The end edge of the segment is bevelled starting from the diametrically opposed two points in the end edge so that two diametrically opposed raised portions are formed in the end edge thereby permitting the series of the segments connected endwise to each other to be bent. A bifurcation having two leg portions is provided at each of the two diametrically opposite raised portions, one of the two leg portions being offset radially inwardly so that it engages with the inner surface of the adjacent segment while the other of the two leg portions is offset radially outwardly so that it engages with the outer surface of the adjacent segment. Thus, each of the two bifurcations in one end edge of a segment is engaged with the corresponding bifurcation in the adjacent end edge of the neighboring segment thereby permitting the pivotal movement of the segment with respect to the neighboring segment about the axis passing through the points of engagement of the mating bifurcations located at the two diametrically opposed points in the end edge of the segment. Means is provided to prevent the disengagement of the bifurcations engaged with each other while permitting the pivotal movement therebetween. A pair of control strings is provided extending along the bendable tube assembly at diametrically opposed positions thereof disposed normal to the diameter passing through each of the diametrically opposed bifurcations. One end of each of the control strings is secured to one endmost segment in the series while the other end extends beyond the other of the endmost segments so as to be operated from the exterior of the bendable tube assembly for controlling the bending thereof.

Inventors

• 👤 Nagashige Takahashi

Bibliographic Details