PURPOSE: To make the diameter of the insertion portion finer and to enable ensured operation of a bending mechanism in an insertion portion, by driving the bending mechanism by a ultrasonic motor set in the operation part of an endoscope and switching a bending direction by a controlling means.
CONSTITUTION: By operating a bending on-off switch 28 and a horizontal and vertical bending switch 29 set in the operation portion 1 of an endoscope, rotators 14 and 17, which constitute the ultrasonic motors 24 and 25, can be driven selectively to operate the bending mechanism. Briefly, the rotator 14 is rotated by progressing waves of a vibrator 15, and this rotation is transmitted to a pulley 13 to pull an operation wire 19a for vertical bending. Through this tractive force, the bending mechanism is operated to bend vertically a bending portion 4. Progressive waves from the vibrator 15 rotate a rotator 17 by way of a rotator 14. This rotating movement is sent to a pulley 16 to pull an operation wire 19b for horizontal bending. This tractive force operates the bending mechanism to bend the bending portion 4 horizontally.
NAKAMURA TAKEAKI
SATO MICHIO
HASEGAWA AKIRA
KANBARA KOJI
HAYASHI MASAAKI
ADACHI HIDEO
YAMATANI TAKATSUGU
