Patent · US Active

Flexible instrument

US7775972B2 · kind B2 · utility

1,329Cited by
190References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 14, 2007
Grant dateAug 17, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 13, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2090/506
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A medical probe and medical system are provided. The medical probe comprises an elongated shaft, a plurality of electromagnetic elements spaced along the elongated shaft, and a plurality of wires extending through the elongated shaft and configured for energizing the electromagnetic elements that actuate a controlled bending of the elongated shaft. The medical system may comprise the medical probe and a controller configured for energizing the electromagnetic elements via the wires to actuate the controlled bending of the elongated shaft. The medical system may optionally comprise a user interface configured for conveying commands to the controller, in which case, the controller will be configured for energizing the electromagnetic elements via the wires to actuate a controlled bending of the elongated shaft in response to the commands.

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