Articulation state detection mechanisms
US10603117B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 28, 2017 |
| Grant date | Mar 31, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 22, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/067
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A surgical shaft assembly includes a proximal shaft portion, a distal shaft portion, and a control circuit. The proximal shaft portion includes a first sensor generating a first signal and a second sensor generating a second signal. The distal shaft portion includes a clutch assembly rotatable with the distal shaft portion about a longitudinal axis and relative to the proximal shaft portion. The clutch assembly is further rotatable relative to the distal shaft portion to transition the shaft assembly between two articulation states. The rotation of clutch assembly with the distal shaft portion changes the first signal, and the rotation of the clutch assembly relative to the distal shaft portion changes the second signal. The control circuit is configured to detect a change in the second signal occurring without a corresponding change in the first signal. The detected change indicates a transition between the two articulation states.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.