초록 ▼

A mechanism for bending an elongated body such as the tube of an endoscope without the use of electric elements, thereby eliminating a shock hazard. A shape-memorizing alloy is inserted into the elongated body at portions to be bent. In some embodiments, heat for causing the shape-memorizing alloy a

A mechanism for bending an elongated body such as the tube of an endoscope without the use of electric elements, thereby eliminating a shock hazard. A shape-memorizing alloy is inserted into the elongated body at portions to be bent. In some embodiments, heat for causing the shape-memorizing alloy and hence the elongated body to bend is produced by light carried by an optical fiber, while in other embodiments frictional heat produced by a mechanism vibrator is employed. In some embodiments using light, a shutter arrangement is added to control the heating of the shape-memorizing alloy.

대표청구항 ▼

In a mechanism for bending an elongated body including an optical fiber, the improvement wherein said optical fiber comprises a core for leading a heating light beam and a cladding and a shape-memorizing alloy is disposed in a portion within said elongated body corresponding to a tip of said optical

In a mechanism for bending an elongated body including an optical fiber, the improvement wherein said optical fiber comprises a core for leading a heating light beam and a cladding and a shape-memorizing alloy is disposed in a portion within said elongated body corresponding to a tip of said optical fiber such that said shape-memorizing alloy is heated by said tip of said optical fiber thereby bending said shape-memorizing alloy and in turn said elongated body and said optical fiber.