Multi-degree of freedom manipulator
US5624380A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 28, 1995 |
| Grant date | Apr 29, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 28, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B1/0058
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A multi-degree-of-freedom manipulator includes a flexible tube having a plurality of flex portions provided therealong, a plurality of actuators made of shape memory alloy and respectively provided near the flex portions to correspond to the flex portions, for flexing the flex portions, two common energy transmission paths, extending along the flexible tube, for transmitting an energy to the actuators, and selective energy supply members, provided between the common energy transmission paths and the actuators in series, for controlling the energy supplied from the common energy transmission path to the actuators, thereby respectively independently driving the actuators to bend the flexible tube.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.