Systems and methods for holding a flexible elongate device in a pose
US12004710B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 19, 2019 |
| Grant date | Jun 11, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 26, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2205/0266
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Stiffening mechanisms or systems that assist or enable holding a pose or shape of a flexible body may be part of a steering mechanism for an end effector. The stiffening mechanisms may be separately actuated and/or may themselves also enable steering of a flexible elongate device. Further, the stiffening mechanisms may use information from sensor systems, such as a shape sensor in the form of an optical fiber, a plurality of EM sensors distributed along the length of a flexible device, and/or navigation systems, such as a sensor system that computes the approximate location of medical instruments (such as a flexible body) within the anatomy of the patient and/or medical tools that are delivered through a main lumen of the flexible body, to inform a control system which then controls formation and holding of a shape of the flexible body.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.