초록 ▼

An ultrasonic endoscopic probe is provided with an articulating distal tip at which and ultrasonic transducer is located. The articulating section of the probe can be locked in an articulated position by a lock control located at a control section of the probe. The locking force is variably selectab

An ultrasonic endoscopic probe is provided with an articulating distal tip at which and ultrasonic transducer is located. The articulating section of the probe can be locked in an articulated position by a lock control located at a control section of the probe. The locking force is variably selectable by the user, so that the articulating section will be locked in position by a desired force. The articulating section is controlled by cables, which include cable tension adjustments that also serve to delimit the range of articulation. The articulating section is formed of alternating pivot rings with intervening polymeric pivot beads, which provide repetitively smooth articulation. The ultrasonic transducer is rotatable to steer the acoustic scan plane during use, and a sliding membrane between the transducer and its acoustic window allows the transducer to rotate smoothly without sticking.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An ultrasonic endoscopic probe including a control section and an articulating distal end at which an ultrasonic transducer is located, comprising:a user adjustable control mechanism, located at said control section and coupled to said distal end, for adjusting the articu

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An ultrasonic endoscopic probe including a control section and an articulating distal end at which an ultrasonic transducer is located, comprising:a user adjustable control mechanism, located at said control section and coupled to said distal end, for adjusting the articulation of said distal end;a braking mechanism, located at said control section and coupled to said control mechanism, for applying a braking force to said control mechanism to lock said articulating distal end in an articulating condition; andwherein said braking mechanism further includes means for setting said braking mechanism to apply one of a plurality of different user selectable degrees of braking force to said control mechanism.