| 摘要 |
<p><P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope apparatus capable of effectively changing flexibility in an insertion part in response to a state of insertion to a subject without any increase in size. <P>SOLUTION: The endoscope 1 includes: an insertion part 3 to be bent in response to the subject and inserted to the inner part; and a flexibility changing means 20 for restricting the bending deformation of the insertion part 3. The flexibility changing means 20 includes: a tubular body 21 which is arranged in the axial direction of the insertion part 3 and where a plurality of non-elastic fiber members 27 are embedded in or attached to an elastically deformable and substantially tubular elastic member 26 in the axial direction; a restricting part 22 for restricting a deformation in a diameter direction concerning a part of the tubular body 21 in the axial direction; a flexible tubular member 24 which is substantially tubular and arranged on one of the inner and outer circumferential surface sides of the tubular body 21 with a gap 23 from the tubular body 21; and a fluid supply part 25 for injecting by pressure a fluid to a pressurizing chamber 39 arranged on the other one of the inner and outer circumferential surface sides of the tubular body 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT</p> |
