Patent ID: 6612982
Filing Date: 2003-09-02
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An endoscospic system comprising:a rod-shaped endoscope body which can be entirely swallowed by a patient to be examined so as to be located in a body cavity, at least part of said rod-shaped endoscope body comprising a bendable portion which is bendable along a curve of said body cavity; and an external device provided separately from said rod-shaped endoscope body without a mechanical connection with said rod-shaped endoscope body; said rod-shaped endoscope body comprising a light emitter, an observing system, a transmitter for transmitting a radio wave which carries an image formed by said observing system, and a power supplying device, and said external device comprising a receiver that receives said radio wave which carries said image, said bendable portion comprising a bending portion that is configured to be bent by radio control from the external device so as to orient said light emitter and said observing system in a predetermined direction, and a flexible portion that is configured to be bent by an external force so as to bend said flexible portion along a curve of the body cavity, said bending portion being configured to be more flexible than said flexible portion.