Flexible end effectors with an aperture
AssigneeInnerWave Health LLC
InventorsRobert Schmidt, Neal Piper
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for end effectors having an aperture are disclosed. An end effector may be driven by a reciprocating driver that drives the end effector in a reciprocating manner. The end effector may have an aperture therethrough and may be formed from a flexible high rebound material. When driven, the end effector may transfer energy from the reciprocating driver to a target treatment area on a recipient for therapeutic purposes. Energy may pass from the reciprocating driver and be temporarily stored within the end effector before being released and imparted to the target treatment area. The end effector may contract about the aperture and rebound to deliver the energy.
Claims20
An end effector configured to be driven by a reciprocating driver, comprising:
- an elastomeric contact portion having a distal end and a proximal end along a longitudinal axis,
- wherein the end effector is configured to be coupled to the reciprocating driver via the proximal end, and
- wherein the elastomeric contact portion comprises a first outer width;
- at least one aperture through the elastomeric contact portion and comprising a second width,
- wherein a ratio of the second width to the first outer width is at least 0.33;
- and
- at least one support member in contact with the elastomeric contact portion and comprising a material having a greater hardness than the elastomeric contact portion.
An end effector configured to be driven by a reciprocating driver, comprising:
- a contact portion comprising a first material and having a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the contact portion configured to contact a target treatment area on a recipient,
- wherein the longitudinal axis is coaxial with a reciprocating axis of the reciprocating driver;
- at least one aperture extending through the contact portion;
- and
- at least one support member comprising a second material distinct from the first material.
An end effector assembly, comprising:
- an end effector having a first material and comprising:
- an end effector proximal end;
- an end effector distal end;
- and
- at least one aperture;
- and
- an internal member at least partially received within the end effector proximal end of the end effector and comprising a second material having a greater hardness than the first material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.