Flexible and steerable elongate instruments with shape control and support elements
US9254123B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 29, 2009 |
| Grant date | Feb 9, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 9, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/0293
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An instrument having a flexible and elongated body includes at least a lumen and a flex member disposed within the lumen. The flex member may be capable of providing steering control to a first portion of the elongate body while providing load bearing support to a second portion of the elongate body. A pull wire may be disposed within the flex member, and at least a distal portion of the pull wire may be coupled to the elongate body and a proximal portion of the pull wire may be operatively coupled to a control unit. The control unit may be coupled to a proximal portion of the elongate body. In addition, a control member may be operatively coupled to the control unit such that a distal portion of the control member may be positioned near a proximal portion of the flex member. The control member may be configured to support the flex member and control the movement or displacement of the flex member. Furthermore, the flex member may be configured to selectively decouple articulation or steering forces of a first portion of the elongate body away from a second portion of the elongate body; thereby, preventing compression of the second portion of the elongate body while maintaining ela…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.