Articulating mechanism with flex-hinged links
US8323297B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 16, 2010 |
| Grant date | Dec 4, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 7, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M25/0105
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention provides articulating mechanisms, and flexible members and flexible segments that can form such articulating mechanisms. The mechanisms are useful, for example, for remote steering, guidance and/or manipulation of various instruments and tools at a targeted location. The mechanisms, members or segments include links connected by flexible hinges. The proximal and distal ends of the mechanisms are connected by at least one set of cables in such a fashion that a proximal active flexible segment forms a discrete pair with a distal active flexible segment. Movement of active flexible segments at the proximal end of the mechanism results in a corresponding, relative movement of segments at the distal end of the mechanism. This configuration allows each flexible segment pair to move independently of one another and also permits the articulating mechanism to undergo complex movements and adopt complex configurations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.