Microminiaturized minimally invasive intravascular micro-mechanical systems powered and controlled via fiber-optic cable

US5722989A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Joseph P. Fitch · Livermore, US
• Karla G. Hagans · Livermore, US
• Robert E. Clough · Danville, US
• Dennis Matthews · Moss Beach, US
• Abraham P. Lee · Irvine, US
• Peter Krulevitch · Pleasanton, US
• William J. Benett · Livermore, US
• Luiz B. Da Silva · Danville, US
• Peter M. Celliers · Berkeley, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 6, 1997
• Grant date: Mar 3, 1998
• Expiry date: Mar 6, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2017/2926
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A micro-mechanical system for medical procedures is constructed in the basic form of a catheter having a distal end for insertion into and manipulation within a body and a near end providing for a user to control the manipulation of the distal end within the body. A fiberoptic cable is disposed within the catheter and having a distal end proximate to the distal end of the catheter and a near end for external coupling of laser light energy. A microgripper is attached to the distal end of the catheter and providing for the gripping or releasing of an object within the body. A laser-light-to-mechanical-power converter is connected to receive laser light from the distal end of the fiberoptic cable and connected to mechanically actuate the microgripper.