| 摘要 |
<p>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flexibility variable endoscope changeable the flexibility, and hardened with a small operating force and damaging no internal material of the endoscope in hardening. SOLUTION: In this endoscope, an insert part is provided with a flexible tube having flexibility, and the flexibility of the tube varies by changing the rigidity of a body disposed in the flexible tube. In the flexible tube, a joint ring storing tube having flexibility is disposed in the longitudinal direction of the flexible tube, and the rigidity variable body is formed by a plurality of cylindrical joint rings disposed with the end faces thereof opposite to each other in the joint ring storing tube. A joint ring contact and separate mechanism is operated to set the hardening state where the end faces of the plurality of joint rings closely adhere to each other to heighten the rigidity, and the non- hardening state where the close adhesion is released to lower the bending rigidity.</p> |
