Robotic endoscope and an autonomous pipe robot for performing endoscopic procedures
US6162171A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 7, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 19, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 7, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B1/12
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A robotic endoscope for performing endoscopic procedures in a tubular organ comprising: (a) a plurality of segments, connected together by a plurality of flexible articulated joints, having a distal end; (b) a plurality of flexible linear actuators attached, skewed sideways with respect to the longitudinal axis of said robot, circumferentially round each segment; (c) a central cavity running longitudinally through said robotic endoscope which houses a plurality of optical fibres, a water/air hose, an instrumentation channel and a plurality of electrical wires associated with an imaging means being mounted at the distal end of the robotic endoscope; and (d) a network of tributary channels for the distribution of pressure to said linear actuators. The present invention is also applicable to an autonomous pipe robot.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.