Medical instrument
US7503474B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 17, 2004 |
| Grant date | Mar 17, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 27, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/2927
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A hydraulically actuated medical instrument includes an elongated shaft having proximal and distal ends, a hydraulically actuated end effector at the distal end of the shaft and a fluid flow path extending through the shaft to the end effector. The end effector may be directly manually operated by way of a handle located at the proximal end of the shaft or remotely, for example, via robotic controller. Articulation joints may be provided along the shaft, between the shaft and end effector or handle, or elsewhere. The hydraulic actuation of the present invention permits multiple axis instrument articulation, miniaturization and simplified instrument fabrication.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.