Surgical instruments with sheathed tendons
US8939963B2 · kind B2 · utility
21Cited by
35References
25Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jan 27, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 8, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/20323
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A flexible surgical instrument employs sheaths around tendons that actuate an end effector or other mechanisms in a distal tip of the instrument. A liquid lubricant can be introduced in the sheaths to reduce friction, and the sheaths can be porous or non-porous. The lubricant can be confined, for example, with an o-ring or a bellow seal, to keep lubricant from leaking where the tendons extend out of the sheaths. More generally, the distal end of the instrument is sealed to prevent leakage of lubricant into a patient. To further reduce risks, a non-toxic water-based lubricant can be used.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.