Patent ID: 9039603
Filing Date: 2015-05-26
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A propulsion apparatus for an endoscope, comprising: a propulsion assembly for mounting on a tip device of said endoscope, for propulsion in a body cavity; first and second wire devices, disposed to extend from said tip device in a proximal direction, for driving said propulsion assembly; first and second motors, connected with proximal ends of said first and second wire devices, respectively, for generating torque for actuating said propulsion assembly; a monitoring unit, actuated if a speed difference between said first and second motors becomes equal to or more than a reference speed value, for measuring an elapsed time; a break detector for detecting breakage of said first or second wire device if said elapsed time becomes equal to or longer than a reference time; and a controller for controlling said first and second motors in response to detection of said break detector, wherein said monitoring unit includes: wherein said propulsion assembly includes: wherein the controller stops the first and second motors upon detection of a signal from the break detector.