Patent · US Expired

Surgical instrument for an endoscope

US4474174A · kind A · utility

202Cited by
14References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 23, 1983
Grant dateOct 2, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 23, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N1/056
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A surgical instrument is described for use with a flexible endoscope. The instrument includes a tubular member such as a catheter, in which a surgical tool is placed. The tool is formed of a working end and a control wire connected thereto and formed of a helically twisted flat ribbon sized to slidingly fit within the lumen of the tubular member. With a helically twisted control wire, the instrument may be bent and flexed in any plane without breakage, yet preserving accurate axial positional control substantially without longitudinal backlash. A distal end of the tubular member has a predetermined bend, with a channel cut therein in a manner selected to enable the working end of the tool, such as a knife, to be automatically moved into the channel and thus reliably extended from a side of the distal end of the catheter. A manipulator is used at the proximal end of the endoscope to precisely control the position of the working end of the surgical tool.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.