Patent ID: 8613700
Filing Date: 2013-12-24
Classification: A61B,G02B

Abstract:
1. A bending mechanism which vertically and horizontally bends a bending portion disposed in an insertion portion to be inserted into a body cavity, the bending mechanism comprising: a base plate comprising a front surface extending along a longitudinal direction of the insertion portion and a rear surface extending along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion and being opposite to the front surface; a vertical driving portion which generates vertical driving force to vertically bend the bending portion and which is disposed in the front surface so that a central axis of the vertical driving portion extends along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion; a horizontal driving portion which generates horizontal driving force to horizontally bend the bending portion and which is disposed in the front surface so that a central axis of the horizontal driving portion extends along the longitudinal direction and is adjacent to the vertical driving portion so as to have a constant distance therebetween; a vertical rotary portion which has a central axis arranged on a side of the front surface and coaxial with the central axis of the vertical driving portion, which is coupled to the vertical driving portion and which is rotated around the central axis of the vertical driving portion by the vertical driving force and which is disposed on the side of the front surface; a horizontal rotary portion which has a central axis arranged on the side of the front surface and coaxial with the central axis of the horizontal driving portion which is coupled to the horizontal driving portion and which is rotated around the central axis of the horizontal driving portion by the horizontal driving force and which is disposed on the side of the front surface to be adjacent to the vertical rotary portion in the perpendicular direction; a vertical operation wire, the vertical operation wire being wound around the vertical rotary portion, extending toward the rear surface from the vertical rotary portion and bending to surround an edge portion of the base plate, being disposed along the longitudinal direction in the rear surface, being connected to the bending portion, the vertical operation wire pulling the bending portion and vertically bending the bending portion when the vertical rotary portion is rotated by the vertical driving force; a horizontal operation wire, the horizontal operation wire being wound around the horizontal rotary portion, extending toward the rear surface and bending from the horizontal rotary portion to surround an edge portion of the base plate, being disposed along the longitudinal direction in the rear surface, being connected to the bending portion, the horizontal operation wire pulling the bending portion and horizontally bending the bending portion when the horizontal rotary portion is rotated by the horizontal driving force; and a holding portion which holds the vertical operation wire extending from the vertical rotary portion and the horizontal operation wire extending from the horizontal rotary portion so that the vertical operation wire extends from the vertical rotary portion to the rear surface on a side where the horizontal rotary portion is disposed and so that the horizontal operation wire extends from the horizontal rotary portion to the rear surface on a side of the vertical rotary portion and further intersects with the vertical operation wire when the vertical operation wire and the horizontal operation wire extend toward the rear surface.