Systems and methods for inserting an elongate flexible instrument into an environment
US12089903B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 11, 2020 |
| Grant date | Sep 17, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 13, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/064
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Illustrative systems and methods for inserting an elongate flexible instrument into a target environment are described. An illustrative system includes a guide device positioned near an opening to the target environment and having a rotary mechanism and a motor configured to drive the rotary mechanism. The system further includes a sensor system associated with insertion of the elongate flexible instrument along an insertion axis and a processor communicatively coupled to the motor and the sensor system. The processor is configured to receive sensor data from the sensor system, evaluate the sensor data, and control, based on the evaluation, the motor to actuate the elongate flexible instrument along the insertion axis. In some examples, the processor controls the motor to vary a rate of rotation of the rotary mechanism based on a determined system status.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.