GB548462A - Improvements in gastroscopes and other instruments for examining tubes and cavities in the human and other bodies - Google Patents

Abstract

548,462. Gastroscopes &c. SCHRANZ, R. April 28, 1941. No. 5464. [Class 81 (ii)] A gastroscope or similar instrument for examining tubes and cavities in the human and other bodies and formed with a flexible metal tube containing the necessary lens has the flexing movement of the distal end of the instrument controlled from the eye piece by means of a pair of wires housed in longitudinal passages along the cylindrical wall of the instrument and substantially. diametrically opposite to one another, each wire sufficiently firm to transmit a push or pull movement from end to end and being anchored at or about the distal end and at the other end to suitable operating mechanism carried at or near the eye-piece and constructed to impart a push to either of the wires and simultaneously a pull to the other whereby the distal end of the instrument may be moved to or from the straight axial centre line of the instrument and maintained in the adjusted position As shown the instrument comprises a rigid tube 15 to which the eye-piece is attached, Figs. 1 and 2, joined to the flexible part by a collar 16, Fig. 4, this flexible part consisting of inner and outer spirally wound metal tubes, 1, 5 covered by a rubber sheath 6, Fig. 5, and provided with an outer rubber sheath. the tube 1 has three longitudinal grooves formed on its periphery, two grooves 2, 3 being diametrically opposite one another and the third groove 4 being equidistantly disposed between them ; these grooves are closed by the tube 5 and are continued by passages made by grooving or flatting a tube 20 within the tube 15. Air may be supplied to the space between the sheath 6, 7, for exit through a hole 8 at the distal end of the instrument, from a supply hole 31 in a union 22 leading to a chamber between the tubes 15, 20 formed by the flat 21 on the tube 20 and leading to a hole 19 communicating with the space between the sheaths. The wires 9, 10 for operating the distal end D of the instrument are secured thereto at the points 13, 14 and pass up the grooves 2, 3 to continuing grooves 2a 3a in the tube 20 and which lead to a gear box G where the wires are fastened to racks 32 having gears 34 meshing with wheels 36 on shafts 37 journalled in blocks dovetailed to slide in the gear box to allow for the differential movement of the wires when the end D is flexed. The leads from the lamp 12 in the end D pass up the groove 4 to a continuing groove 4a in the tube 20 and are coiled about the tube 15 before passing out through a hole 28 in the gear box into a bore in the union 22 leading to the air supply bulb 23. Specifications 373,000 and 403,896 are referred to.