Actuator restraining assembly for medical device
US10195397B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 17, 2014 |
| Grant date | Feb 5, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 12, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2205/582
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A medical device includes an elongate body having a proximal end and a deflectable distal region, a handle coupled to the proximal end, an actuator movable relative to the handle, and a resistance assembly adjacent the actuator. The resistance assembly exerts a force on the actuator that varies according to a direction in which the actuator is moving relative to the handle. For example, the resistance assembly can exert a lower (or zero) force when the actuator is moving relative to the handle in a direction that effects deflection of the distal region of the elongate body from neutral and higher when the actuator is moving relative to the handle in a direction that effects return of the distal region of the elongate body towards neutral. The resistance assembly can also include materials that exhibit anisotropic frictional properties and/or have surface finishes or treatments that yield directionally-dependent frictional forces.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.