DEVICE FOR CARRYING OBSERVATION AND/OR MANIPULATION INSTRUMENTS

摘要

The disclosure herein describes a carrier adapted to receive observation and/or manipulation instruments; the carrier consists of a train of articulated segments whose angular displacement is controlled by a series of magnetic clutches; the leading segment is guided from the carrier's proximal end, and the guide angle is repeated automatically at the articulations of all following segments; a central channel in each segment accepts instruments for observation and manipulation. One advantageous application of the present carrier is its use as an endscope for inspecting a hollow portion in a living body.