Steerable segmented endoscope and method of insertion
US7087013B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 27, 2003 |
| Grant date | Aug 8, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 13, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2034/742
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A steerable endoscope has an elongated body with a selectively steerable distal portion and an automatically controlled proximal portion. The endoscope body is inserted into a patient and the selectively steerable distal portion is used to select a desired path within the patient's body. When the endoscope body is advanced, an electronic motion controller operates the automatically controlled proximal portion to assume the selected curve of the selectively steerable distal portion. Another desired path is selected with the selectively steerable distal portion and the endoscope body is advanced again. As the endoscope body is further advanced, the selected curves propagate proximally along the endoscope body, and when the endoscope body is withdrawn proximally, the selected curves propagate distally along the endoscope body. This creates a serpentine motion in the endoscope body allowing it to negotiate tortuous curves along a desired path through or around and between organs within the body.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.