Abstract:
A propulsion assembly for mounting on a tip device of an endoscope includes a barrel sleeve having inner and outer surfaces. A flexible endless track device is disposed to extend along the inner and outer surfaces of the barrel sleeve, for endlessly moving in an axial direction, for propulsion by contacting a wall of a body cavity. A drive gear is engaged with the endless track device, for moving the same. A driving mechanism rotates the drive gear. Engaging teeth are formed on the endless track device at a predetermined pitch, arranged serially, moved by the drive gear in mesh therewith. A peripheral surface of the engaging teeth is curved without a sharp form. Furthermore, a support sleeve is disposed between the driving mechanism and the endless track device, for supporting the drive gear in a rotatable manner.
Abstract:
A propulsion assembly for an endoscope includes a support sleeve and a barrel unit. An endless track device is disposed to extend along inner and outer surfaces of the barrel unit, for endlessly moving in an axial direction of an elongated tube of the endoscope, and contacting a wall of a body cavity, for propulsion of the elongated tube. Worm wheels are disposed on the support sleeve, for driving the endless track device by engagement therewith. Plural idler rollers are disposed on the inner surface of the barrel unit in a rotatable manner, for keeping the endless track device movable in driving of the worm wheels. An guide projection is formed on the endless track device. A guide groove is formed in the barrel unit, for receiving the guide projection, to guide the endless track device on the barrel unit in the axial direction.
Abstract:
A propulsion assembly for an endoscope includes a support sleeve and an endless track device. A clamping sleeve is contained in the support sleeve. Male and female threads cooperate for moving the clamping sleeve between operative and non-operative states upon rotation of the clamping sleeve. The operative state is on a side of a proximal direction from the non-operative state along a central axis. A sealing device is contained in the support sleeve, has a C-shape in a resiliently deformable manner, is disposed around the endoscope and between the clamping sleeve and a receiving surface. The sealing device is pushed by the clamping sleeve when the clamping sleeve is in the operative state, for squeezing the endoscope by radially compressing thereabout, and released from push of the clamping sleeve when the clamping sleeve is in the non-operative state, for releasing the endoscope by radially returning to expand thereabout.
Abstract:
A propulsion apparatus for an endoscope includes a propulsion assembly for mounting on a tip device of the endoscope, for propulsion in a body cavity. First and second wire devices are disposed to extend from the tip device in a proximal direction, having a coil winding, for rotating to drive the propulsion assembly. First and second motors are connected with proximal ends of respectively the first and second wire devices, for rotating the first and second wire devices. A timer is actuated if a speed difference between rotational speeds of the first and second motors becomes equal to or more than a reference speed value, for measuring an elapsed time. A break detector detects breakage of the first wire device if the elapsed time becomes equal to or longer than a predetermined time. A controller controls the first and second motors in response to an output of the break detector.
Abstract:
An auxiliary thrust device includes a membrane, a carrier tube, and a drive cylinder. First and second insertion holes into which first and second torque wires are inserted are formed in a wire sheath. First and second gears are fixed to tip portions of the torque wires, which protrudes from a tip of the wire sheath, respectively. The first gear fixed to the first torque wire meshes with a spur gear portion of the drive cylinder, and the second gear connected to the second torque wire meshes with the first gear. Since the respective torque wires are inserted into one wire sheath and are bent in the same shape, a frictional force generated between the first torque wire and the inner surface of the wire sheath is substantially the same as that generated between the second torque wire and the inner surface of the wire sheath.
Abstract:
A propulsion assembly includes a support sleeve for mounting on a tip device of an endoscope. An endless track device is supported on the support sleeve in an endlessly movable manner, for contacting a wall of a body cavity, for propulsion of the tip device relative to the body cavity. A drive sleeve drives the endless track device. First and second torque wire devices have proximal and distal end portions, the proximal end portion being rotated by a motor, the distal end portion actuating the drive sleeve. Plural helical windings of a first group constitute the first wire device, and are so wound as to increase tightness thereof upon moving the endoscope in a distal direction. Plural helical windings of a second group constitute the second wire device, and are so wound as to increase tightness thereof upon moving the endoscope in a proximal direction.