Controllable dexterous endoscopic device
US8388519B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 25, 2008 |
| Grant date | Mar 5, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 18, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/20323
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A selectively rigidizable endoscopic device is described. In one aspect, an endoscopic medical device is described that includes a flexible inner tube having a first lumen, a flexible outer tube that receives the inner tube, and a multiplicity of overlapping, rigidizable scale-like strips. Each scale-like strip is coupled with the inner tube and positioned between the inner and outer tubes. Of particular note, the overlapping strips are actuatable between a non-rigidized state in which overlapping strips are slideable relative to one another and a rigidized state in which overlapping strips are not slideable relative to one another.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.