Surgery – Endoscope – Having flexible tube structure
Patent
1994-10-27
1998-04-14
Apley, Richard J.
Surgery
Endoscope
Having flexible tube structure
600146, 74527, A61B 100, A61B 1005
Patent
active
057386315
ABSTRACT:
A ratchet control mechanism for an endoscope having a generally elongated flexible shaft extending between a proximal control head and a distal objective assembly is shown. The ratchet control mechanism comprises an inner shaft having a first driving end and a second end which is operatively connected to a first spur gear and an outer shaft having an opening extending therethrough which encloses the inner shaft. The outer shaft has a second driving end and a second end which is operatively connected to a second spur gear. The outer shaft rotatably supports the inner shaft, the first spur gear on the second end of the inner shaft being in a spaced opposed relationship from the second spur gear on the second end of said outer shaft. The ratchet control mechanism further includes a ratchet mechanism having a rotatable ratchet member having an outer cam surface and positioned substantially perpendicular to and spaced from the first spur gear and the second spur gear. A pair of resilient actuation members are positioned in the space between the first and second spur gears and the outer cam surface forming a ratchet engagement therebetween such that rotation of at least one of the inner shaft and the outer shaft may occur under ratchet control to inhibit reversal of motion. The ratchet engagement may be variable ranging from no ratchet engagement, light ratchet engagement and heavy ratchet engagement.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4461282 (1984-07-01), Ouchi et al.
Apley Richard J.
Circon Corporation
Flanagan Beverly M.
Meaney, Jr. Daniel J.
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