Flexible steerable device for conducting exploratory procedures

Details Flexible steerable device for conducting exploratory procedures Flexible steerable device for conducting exploratory procedures

1995-06-07

1998-06-02

Flannagan, Beverly M.

Surgery

Endoscope

Having flexible tube structure

600139, A61B 100

Patent

active

057591512

ABSTRACT:
A flexible, steerable device for conducting exploratory procedures is disclosed. The device includes at least one spine, each having stiffening means for selectively rendering the spine rigid and flexible along its length. A flexible sheath surrounds the spine and is axially slidably moveable relative to the spine so that the sheath will follow and conform to the shape of a spine in the rigid state and resist further flexure when the spine is in a relaxed state. A steerable distal tip is provided on the distal end of the device. Controls for the distal tip are mounted on the proximal end of the device. Mechanisms are provided on the distal end of the device for selectively activating and deactivating the stiffening means of the spine. An instrument conduit may be mounted on the sheath.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3946727 (1976-03-01), Okada et al.
patent: 4054128 (1977-10-01), Seutert et al.
patent: 4236509 (1980-12-01), Takahashi et al.
patent: 4327711 (1982-05-01), Takagi
patent: 5125395 (1992-06-01), Adair
patent: 5251611 (1993-10-01), Zehel et al.
IEE Conf. Proc. (1991).

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Flexible steerable device for conducting exploratory procedures does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Flexible steerable device for conducting exploratory procedures, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Flexible steerable device for conducting exploratory procedures will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1453833