Friction torque limiter for an imaging catheter
US10028725B2 · kind B2 · utility
13Cited by
51References
20Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 11, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jul 24, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 19, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D43/211
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention provides a frictional torque limiter assembly for an imaging core spinning in a patient's body. The torque limiter assembly torsionally isolates the imaging core from a motor that spins the imaging core. An interference fit between a slitted drive tube and a spacer tube acts as a clutch that allows a spinning imaging probe to slow or stop relative to the motor until the motor is stopped, thereby preventing an unsafe condition.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.