Patent · US Expired

Microdrive for probes

US6416520B1 · kind B1 · utility

137Cited by
7References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 20, 2000
Grant dateJul 9, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 20, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2090/0813
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A probe is connected to a probe carrier that is positioned with respect to the body of a patient. The probe is moved into or out of the body incrementally by means of a driver mechanism and flexible coupler. The flexible coupler in one embodiment comprises a flexible sheath with a flexible driver shaft that can be passed within the flexible sheath and can be rotated or pushed forward and backward with respect to the sheath by a driver element thereby causing translational movement of probe. Several forms of probes, flexible coupling elements, and driver apparatus as well as methods of applications accommodate specific objectives.

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