Sensors and control for an interventional catheter
US8347738B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 9, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jan 8, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 14, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2562/043
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
This invention provides small position sensors for applications where localized sensing in a small volume of space is needed but where measurement of large relative displacement is also necessary. The invention enables a surgeon to accurately position the tip of a catheter during minimally invasive therapy. The current invention further improves the quality of tactile feedback to a physician during catheter-based surgeries with an axial force sensor at the tip of the catheter that allows for the transmission of force information to the physician. One embodiment of this invention is a position sensor for active interventional catheters, where the sensor may be laser-machined shape memory alloy (SMA), and the catheter actuators may be heated SMA or wire-pulleys. Providing position feedback from a catheter during minimally invasive therapy allows for closed-loop control of the catheter tip position under computer-aided guidance and enable force feedback to the physician.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.