Patent ID: 6540670
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An endoscope system comprising:an insertion portion to be inserted into a tubular cavity under examination; an image sensor provided at a distal end of the insertion portion; a bending portion provided behind said image sensor; a hydropneumatic actuator for bending said bending portion by applying hydropneumatic pressure, said hydropneumatic actuator having a multi-lumen tube including at least one pressurization chamber; a cylinder filled with a fluid to be supplied to said hydropneumatic actuator; a fluid flow rate adjusting portion for adjusting a flow rate of the fluid supplied from said cylinder; a control unit for controlling said fluid flow rate adjusting portion by a pulse operation; an operating portion for operating a controlled variable of said control unit; and a control device for causing said control unit to control said fluid flow rate adjusting portion in accordance with a signal output from said operating portion so as to stop both supply and exhaustion of the fluid to and from said at least one pressurization chamber at an arbitrary pressure.