Patent ID: 7440661
Filing Date: 2008-10-21
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A configuration detection device for detecting a configuration of an endoscope, said configuration detection device comprising: a light-providing optical fiber that transmits detection light in a plurality of wavelength ranges that differ from one another; a light reflector that reflects said detection light as reflected light, in a same reflection ratio as for said wavelength ranges, said light reflector being provided at an output end of said light-providing optical fiber; a curvature-detecting optical fiber that transmits said reflected light, said curvature-detecting optical fiber being bent together with said endoscope; and a light modulator that modulates at least one of a strength and a wavelength of said reflected light for each of said wavelength ranges, said light modulator being provided in said curvature-detecting optical fiber, wherein said configuration of said endoscope is detectable, based on at least one of the strength and the wavelength of said reflected light that is pre-modulated and post-modulated, and based on a distance between said light modulator and an output end of said curvature-detecting optical fibers, wherein a plurality of said light modulators are provided at equidistant positions from the output end of said curvature-detecting optical fiber, and wherein at least a pair of said plurality of light modulators are provided to form a right angle by said light modulators and a center point of said curvature-detecting optical fiber.