Variable direction of view instrument with on-board actuators

Details Variable direction of view instrument with on-board actuators Variable direction of view instrument with on-board actuators

2011-03-01

2011-03-01

Leubecker, John P (Department: 3779)

Surgery

Endoscope

Having imaging and illumination means

C600S130000, C600S137000, C600S170000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07896803

ABSTRACT:
A viewing instrument with a variable direction of view is disclosed generally comprising an outer instrument shaft, such as endoscope shaft, with a viewing element at its distal end, and an inner drive shaft within the outer shaft for moving the viewing element in order to change the direction of the view vector. First and second on-board actuators, such as motors, are arranged in the proximal portion of the instrument for rotating the outer and inner shaft, respectively, in order to rotate the viewing element through two degrees of freedom. In certain embodiments, the axes of the shafts are coincident, and the viewing element rotates about a rotational axis substantially perpendicular to shaft axes. In some embodiments, the axes of the motors are substantially parallel.

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