Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
An endoscope for insertion into the body through the mouth and into the gullet comprising a grip portion end located outside the body, an intermediate portion for location in the gullet, and a tip end, said intermediate portion being flexible and comprising two tubes arranged side by side, said two tubes being joined at said tip and grip portion ends, said intermediate portion including said two tubes comprising a fixed cross-sectional non-circular shape having opposite sides thereof in parallel relation to conform to the shape of the gullet, said intermediate portion retaining said non-circular shape and bearing against the gullet to prevent rotation of the intermediate portion held in the gullet while transmitting angular rotation of the grip portion end to the tip end so that said tip and grip portion ends rotate an equal amount.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
An endoscope for insertion into the body through the mouth and into the gullet comprising a grip portion end located outside the body, an intermediate portion for location in the gullet, and a tip end, said intermediate portion being flexible and comprising two tubes arranged side by side, said two tubes being joined at said tip and grip portion ends, said intermediate portion including said two tubes comprising a fixed cross-sectional non-circular shape having opposite sides thereof in parallel relation to conform to the shape of the gullet, said intermediate portion retaining said non-circular shape and bearing against the gullet to prevent rotation of the intermediate portion held in the gullet while transmitting angular rotation of the grip portion end to the tip end so that said tip and grip portion ends rotate an equal amount.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said non-circular shape comprises said opposite parallel sides joined at their ends by circular segments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein each of said tubes is formed as a braided structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein each of said tubes comprises three helically wound strips arranged one over another, with an intermediate one of said helical strips being wound oppositely with respect to the other two helical strips.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein one of said two tubes is formed as a braided structure, and the other of said two tubes comprises three helically wound strips arranged one over another, with an intermediate one of said three helical strips being wound oppositely with respect to the two other helical strips.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein one of said two tubes is formed as a braided structure, and the other tube comprises a single helically wound strip.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein one of said tubes comprises three helically wound strips arranged one over another, with an intermediate one of said helical strips being wound oppositely with respect to the other two helical strips, and the other tube comprises a single helically wound strip.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said tubes is made of a metal material.