Methods and apparatuses for reducing curvature of a colon
AssigneeNeptune Medical Inc.
InventorsFrancisco G. LOPEZ, Neal TANNER, Mark C. SCHEEFF, Alexander Q. TILSON
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Abstract
Described herein are methods and apparatuses for reducing the curvature of a body lumen, such as a colon, using a robotic system. In particular, described herein are methods and apparatuses for reducing curvature of a body lumen (e.g., colon) using apparatuses comprising one or more, including two or more, elongate rigidizable members. The elongate rigidizable members may be arranged telescopically and may be activated by applying positive pressure and/or vacuum.
Claims31
-90. (canceled)
A method of reducing curvature of a colon using a robotic system, the method comprising:
- navigating an elongate member distally into the colon;
- and
- activating a set of movements of the robotic system to control a steerable distal end region of the elongate member relative to a wall of the colon while withdrawing a proximal portion of the elongate member proximally out of the colon to reduce the curvature of the colon.
A method of reducing curvature of a colon using a robotic system, comprising:
- inserting an elongate member into the colon, the elongate member comprising a first elongate rigidizable member and a second elongate member, wherein the second elongate member is axially slideable relative to the first elongate rigidizable member;
- advancing the elongate member through a lumen of the colon;
- and
- controlling the elongate member to reduce the curvature in the colon by maintaining a position, orientation or position and orientation of a distal end of the elongate member relative to the lumen of the colon and withdrawing a proximal end of the elongate member out of the colon.
The method of claim 122, further comprising controlling the robotic system to transition the first elongate rigidizable member and the second elongate member to the flexible configurations prior to reducing the curvature in the colon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.