Self-propelled colonoscope

Details Self-propelled colonoscope Self-propelled colonoscope

1995-03-24

1996-10-08

Apley, Richard J.

Surgery

Endoscope

With guide means for body insertion

600139, A61B 1005

Patent

active

055626017

ABSTRACT:
A self-propelled colonoscope comprises control part and an insertion tube including a distal part, a bending part, and a flexible part. The distal part is equipped with an image pickup element. Endless belts extend along the surfaces of the flexible part from a guide hole positioned at a distance of 3 to 10 cm from the distal end of the flexible part to the control part. The endless belts are driven by a driving mechanism situated in the control part. They are guided from the inner surface of the flexible part to the outer surface through the guide hole. The endless belts are held by guide hooks which are arranged on the outer surface of the flexible part. The colonoscope can be safely and rapidly inserted into the colon without causing pain to a patient thanks to the particular length of the endless belts. The endless belts are driven to guide the colonoscope by the effect of friction between the endless belts and the wall of the colon. The colonoscope does not cause abdominal pain nor accidents such as bleeding or perforation of the colon even in cases of adhesion of the colon from previous abdominal surgery, because it can be smoothly inserted without changing position and shape of the colon. When the endless belts slacken, their tension can be corrected with an adjustment mechanism connected to the colonoscope.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4066071 (1978-01-01), Nagel
patent: 4176662 (1979-12-01), Frazer
patent: 4561427 (1985-12-01), Takada
patent: 5345925 (1994-09-01), Allred, III et al.

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