Flexible device shaft with angled spiral wrap
US7579550B2 · kind B2 · utility
99Cited by
17References
15Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 31, 2006 |
| Grant date | Aug 25, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 25, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49995
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Spiral-wound materials, spirals, and shafts made therefrom that have wraps with edges that may nest within one another are described. Such edges allow the spiral to achieve a smaller bending radius, meaning tighter turns and more flexibility due to the ability of adjacent wraps to nest within each other when the shaft is bent. Spirals having wraps with edges capable of nesting can be used in the medical field for devices that track anatomy, such as endoscopes, colonoscopes, catheters, and the like.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.