Patent · US Active

Retrograde instrument

US8551076B2 · kind B2 · utility

1,589Cited by

12References

18Claims

0Family size

Assignee

INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC. · US

Inventors

Eugene F. Duval · Menlo Park, US
Bruce M. Schena · Menlo Park, US

Key dates

Filing date	Oct 12, 2010
Grant date	Oct 8, 2013
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Oct 14, 2031

Classification

Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
CPC primaryA61B2034/306
WIPO fieldMedical technology
WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A minimally invasive surgical instrument includes a U-turn mechanism that transmits actuating forces around a U-turn. The U-turn mechanism is coupled between segments of the instrument and has a bend radius that is smaller than flexible arms having a similar cross section diameter. The actuating forces transmitted by the U-turn mechanism are used to move distal components of the instrument, such as an end effector and a wrist mechanism.

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