Patent ID: 8725233

Claim:
A load detection device for detecting load applied to a tip end of a linear body having flexibility when said linear body is inserted in a hollow tube inserted in a bending vessel, comprising: a degree of bending detection device configured to detect a degree of bending of said vessel, said hollow tube, or said linear body; an insertion load detection device configured to detect load in insertion of said linear body in an inlet of said hollow tube; and a processing unit communicatively coupled to the degree of bending detection device and to the insertion load detection device and configured to find the load applied to the tip end of said linear body based on a result of detection by the degree of bending detection device and the insertion load detection device, and based on a coefficient of friction between the linear body and the hollow tube, wherein said processing unit is further configured to correct said coefficient of friction based on variation in flexural rigidity depending on a position in said linear body where the flexural rigidity of said linear body varies depending on the position in said linear body.