Self-propelled endoscopic device

摘要

An endoscopic device capable of autonomous locomotion through a body cavity with a pre-established direction of displacement, comprising of a tubular body (1) made of an elastic material extending between two, front (2) and rear (3) end portions respectively comprising anchoring means (4) for temporarily and alternately attaching said end portions to the wall of the body cavity in synchronism with corresponding axial extensions and contractions of the tubular body (1). The tubular body (1) incorporates a reinforcement structure (5,8,9) distributed along its length that is substantially rigid in the radial direction and yielding in the axial direction, specifically comprising of a plurality of rigid rings or at least one helical spring.