Patent · US Expired

Probe position sensing system and method of employment of same

US6471710B1 · kind B1 · utility

137Cited by
43References
38Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 11, 2000
Grant dateOct 29, 2002
Priority date—
Expiry dateAug 11, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N5/1048
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A probe position sensing system for accurately determining a spatial location in a coordinate system of a distal end of a probe assembly. The probe assembly includes an articulated arm having a pair of sections interconnected by a flexible joint and at least one element. The element extends through the joint and is positioned to be subjected to a degree of flexure due to relative displacement of the sections. A flexure of the element induces a change in a physical property associated with the element. An instrument monitors the physical property and derives an angle between adjacent sections from variations of the physical property.

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