Medical instrument electronically energized using drive cables
US9204923B2 · kind B2 · utility
1,459Cited by
9References
25Claims
0Family size
Assignee
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Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 16, 2008 |
| Grant date | Dec 8, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 2, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2034/305
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electrically energized medical instrument uses one or more drive cables to both actuate mechanical components of a wrist mechanism or an effector and to electrically energize the effector. Electrical isolation can be achieved using an insulating main tube through which drive cables extend from a backend mechanism to the effector, an insulating end cover that leaves only the desired portions of the effector exposed, and one or more seals to prevent electrically conductive liquid from entering the main tube. Component count and cost may be further reduced using a pair of pulleys that are shared by four drive cables.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.