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Abstract

An endoscope deflection control is described whereby enhanced one-hand control of the tip of a polydirectionally deflectable endoscope is obtained. The deflection control is mounted external to the head of the endoscope in such manner that convenient single-hand manipulation of deflection control wheels mounted on the head provides tip deflection in either a freewheeling deflection mode or an incremental mode characterized by discrete stable incremental tip deflections. Single-hand operation of the endoscope deflection control is obtained by locating incremental deflection position elements in a compact structure which is wholly or partly external to the head while the control wheels remain within manipulatable reach of the single hand's fingers. The deflection control wheels are under continuous control by the operator whose single hand may rotate either or both wheels in either mode and selectively, at any time, with the fingers of the same hand, may switch either or both control wheels into either of the modes by axially sliding the wheels into or out of engagement with associated incremental deflection position elements.

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First Claim