Patent · US Active

Method and system for steerable medical device path definition and following during insertion and retraction

US8568302B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by

2References

5Claims

0Family size

Assignee

INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC. · US

Inventors

Caitlin Q. Donhowe · Mountain View, US
Amir Belson · Savyon, IL
Kristoffer J. Donhowe · Mountain View, US
Kenneth R. Krieg · Fremont, US
Eric Storne · Menlo Park, US
Thomas J. Yorkey · San Ramon, US
Jun Zhang · Longbeilingcun, CN

Key dates

Filing date	Nov 6, 2009
Grant date	Oct 29, 2013
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Jun 2, 2032

Classification

Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
CPC primaryA61B2034/301
WIPO fieldMedical technology
WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Waypoints for a steerable medical device are stored as the steerable medical device is moved within a patient. The stored waypoints are an ordered sequence of locations. The ordered sequence of locations defines a safe path within the patient for moving an articulatable portion of the steerable medical device. The articulatable portion of the steerable medical device is constrained to follow the safe path as the articulatable portion moves within the patient. For example, the articulatable portion of the steerable medical device is constrained to remain within a boundary region enclosing the safe path as the articulatable portion of the steerable medical device follows the safe path.

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