JPS61273517A - Curving mechanism for cable - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To curve a cable in a desired direction with a simple structure by inserting an optical fiber sensor whose tip part is bent previously to the desired radius of curvature into a straight pipe and sliding the straight pipe upward and downward. CONSTITUTION:The optical fiber sensor 1 whose tip part is curved to previously to the desired radius of curvature is inserted into the straight pipe 2, which is moved up and down to curve the optical fiber sensor body 1 in a direction B to curve the tip part in a desired direction. Its structure is simplified and the external diameter is reduced.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a cable equipped with a bending mechanism, and is particularly useful when applied to optical fiber sensors or laser scalpels in medical or industrial endoscopes, etc. .

<Prior art and problems> In optical fiber sensors such as medical or industrial endoscopes, it is often necessary to bend the imaging section at the tip in a desired direction by external operation to capture a desired image. . An optical fiber sensor cable as shown in FIG. 2, developed in response to such demands, is known. In FIG. 2, a large number of nodal rings 4 are inserted around the optical fiber sensor body 6, and each nodal ring 4 is butted against a protruding fulcrum 5 provided at the center of each nodal ring. Also, a plurality of operating wires 3 are arranged symmetrically around each node ring, and by tightening one and stretching the other, the tip imaging section of the optical fiber sensor is bent and directed in a desired direction. We are prepared. However, in an optical fiber sensor with such a structure, the node ring 4
The disadvantage was that the main body became thicker. On the other hand, recent developments in new technology have made it possible to manufacture image fibers that are the main body of optical fiber sensors with extremely small diameters and long lengths.

The present invention has been made in view of the deficiencies of the prior art, and is an optical fiber sensor having a thin outer diameter and a relatively simple structure that allows the tip to be easily manipulated in a desired direction. The purpose is to provide a fiber sensor.

Means for Solving the Problems> The optical fiber sensor according to the present invention, which achieves the above-mentioned objects, has a tip structure for bending a tip imaging section.
A bending type optical fiber sensor that has been bent in advance to a desired bending radius is inserted into a straight tube, and the bending radius of the bending type optical fiber sensor can be arbitrarily changed by sliding the straight tube up and down. It is said that

<Example> An optical fiber sensor equipped with a bending mechanism based on ζ according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings of an example. FIG. 1 is an external view of an optical fiber sensor equipped with a bending mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an optical fiber sensor body 1 is inserted into a straight tube 2 made of thin stainless steel, Teflon, or the like. Since the tip of the optical fiber sensor body 1 is bent in advance with a desired radius of curvature, when the straight tube 2 is slid in the entry direction, the optical fiber sensor body 1 is bent in the B direction. With this mechanism, the degree of bending of the optical fiber sensor main body 1 can be controlled by sliding the straight tube 2.

In the above embodiment, the optical fiber sensor is an image fiber.
AgBr or Ag(
The above-mentioned bending mechanism can be similarly applied to an optical cable (ζ) in which an energy fiber such as J is inserted together with an image fiber or alone. When such a bending mechanism is provided at the tip of a cable having an energy fiber, it is possible to freely change the irradiation direction of the laser beam and irradiate the affected area with the laser beam, thereby performing laser treatment.

<Effects of the Invention> According to the bending mechanism I/TE according to the present invention, it is possible to direct the tip of the optical fiber sensor in a desired direction by sliding the straight tube, and the bending mechanism I/TE according to the present invention is capable of directing the tip of the optical fiber sensor in a desired direction, compared to the conventional one using a node ring. This has the advantage of simplifying the structure and reducing the outer diameter.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of an optical fiber sensor equipped with a bending mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional example. 1 Optical fiber sensor main body 2 Straight tube 3 Operating wire 4-node ring 5 Projecting fulcrum part 6 Optical fiber sensor main body part Fig. 1

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) The tip of an optical fiber sensor consisting of an optical fiber and a highly flexible coating is bent in advance at a desired bending radius, and the bent optical fiber sensor is inserted into a straight tube, A cable bending mechanism characterized in that the bending radius of a bending type optical fiber sensor can be arbitrarily changed by sliding the straight tube up and down. (2) The special cable bending mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber sensor comprises an image transmission section and an illumination light transmission section. (3) The optical fiber sensor is an image fiber and/or
Alternatively, the cable bending mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is made of an energy fiber.