Robotically controlled medical instrument
US7854738B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 31, 2008 |
| Grant date | Dec 21, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 3, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/571
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A medical instrument assembly comprises an elongated shaft, a tool carried by the distal end of the elongated shaft for performing a medical procedure on a patient, a plurality of controllably bendable sections spaced along the elongated shaft and disposed proximal to the tool, a plurality of actuation elements extending within the elongated shaft for respectively actuating the controllably bendable sections, and an instrument coupler mounted to the proximal end of the elongated shaft, with the instrument coupler configured for coupling an electromechanical drive to the actuation elements. A robotic medical system comprises the previously described medical instrument assembly, a user interface configured for generating at least one command, a drive unit coupled to the plurality of actuating elements of the medical instrument assembly, and an electric controller configured, in response to the command(s), for directing the drive unit to moves the actuating elements to actuate the controllably bendable sections.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.