FLEXIBLE CONTROLLED TUBE Russian patent published in 1996 - IPC

FIELD: optical-mechanical mechanical engineering. SUBSTANCE: tube is used for examining and therapeutic curing of hollow organs and spaces of body. Tube may also be used in engineering for examining hollow spaces. Flexible controlled tube has flexible elastic envelope, inside which units are disposed connected in series. The units have annular member and two hinge member, disposed along the circle symmetrically; hinge members are made in form of rollers. Tube has the first and the second control ropes, and the third and the fourth control ropes. Moreover, axes of hinge members in subsequent unit are turned parities by 90 deg in relation to axes of hinge members of preceding unit. Control ropes are disposed inside through holes of annular and corresponding hinge members. Through holes of annular and hinge members are made in form of tori. Hinge member has curvature being equal to curvature of annular member, Hinge member is made in form of half-ring, made in form of symmetrical petal. At each unit hinge members are made in form closed ring with torus-shaped side surfaces. Additional through holes are made at minimal thickness places. Microprotrusions are made onto surfaces of hinge and annular members being brought in contact. EFFECT: improved accuracy; improved reliability. 7 cl, 14 dwg