Steerable structure of catheter or endoscope type
US8558878B2 · kind B2 · utility
2Cited by
16References
20Claims
0Family size
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 22, 2008 |
| Grant date | Oct 15, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 9, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B23/2476
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A steerable structure of the catheter or endoscope type is disclosed. The structure includes an elastically or deformable longitudinal body including at least one actuator of material of the shape memory type incorporated longitudinally with the body together with a Joule-effect heater enabling the actuator to be contracted longitudinally in order to cause the longitudinal body to bend. The actuator extends over at least one portion of the body that presents varying stiffness.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.