Articulated surgical instrument for performing minimally invasive surgery with enhanced dexterity and sensitivity
US5976122A · kind A · utility
1,183Cited by
9References
54Claims
0Family size
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Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 25, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 2, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 25, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/20335
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An articulated surgical instrument for enhancing the performance of minimally invasive surgical procedures. The instrument has a high degree of dexterity, low friction, low inertia and good force reflection. A unique cable and pulley drive system operates to reduce friction and enhance force reflection. A unique wrist mechanism operates to enhance surgical dexterity compared to standard laparoscopic instruments. The system is optimized to reduce the number of actuators required and thus produce a fully functional articulated surgical instrument of minimum size.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.