Patent ID: 7951068
Filing Date: 2011-05-31
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A rotating self-traveling endoscope system comprising: an insertion portion having an image pickup unit provided at a distal end portion of the insertion portion and a helical structure formed on an outer surface of the insertion portion, the insertion portion being configured to rotatably advance in a longitudinal axis direction thereof; a rotating driving device for rotating the insertion portion around the longitudinal axis thereof; a flexible tube having a lumen through which the insertion portion is rotatably advanced; a bending portion disposed continuously at a distal end side of the flexible tube, the bending portion being configured to bend in an instructed direction; and a protecting member having flexibility and inserted through the lumen of the flexible tube, for separating the helical structure of the insertion portion from an inner surface of the flexible tube, wherein the protecting member has an entire length not reaching the bending portion in a state of being inserted through the lumen of the flexible tube so as to prevent a bending mobility of the bending portion from being undermined.