Flexible shaft for an endoscope and such an endoscope

Details Flexible shaft for an endoscope and such an endoscope Flexible shaft for an endoscope and such an endoscope

2005-11-18

2010-12-14

Leubecker, John P (Department: 3739)

Surgery

Endoscope

Having flexible tube structure

C600S144000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07850604

ABSTRACT:
A flexible shaft for an endoscope comprises a shaft body which, in the longitudinal direction of the shaft, has a first portion with a first degree of flexibility, and, proximally from the first portion, has at least a second portion with a second degree of flexibility which is less than the first degree of flexibility, the shaft body having, in the first portion, at least a first spring element, and, in the second portion, at least a second spring element. A spring hardness of the second spring element is increased by a permanent pretensioning of the second spring element, as a result of which the flexibility of the shaft body is reduced in the second portion.

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European Search Report; Mar. 4, 2006; 3 pages.

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