Flexible instruments with patterned antenna assemblies having variable recoverable flexibility
AssigneeIntuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
InventorsSerena H. Wong, Samuel Raybin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Flexible instruments and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a flexible instrument comprises an elongate device having an inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor, and a dielectric layer insulating the inner conductor from the outer conductor. The flexible instrument further includes a recess formed in the outer conductor. An insert is positioned within the recess and about the inner conductor.
Claims36
A flexible instrument, comprising:
- an elongate device including an inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor, and a dielectric layer insulating the inner conductor from the outer conductor;
- a recess formed in the outer conductor;
- and
- an insert positioned within the recess and about the inner conductor.
The flexible instrument of clam 3 wherein the barrier layer includes a plurality of non-conductive layers.
An energy delivery system, comprising:
- a flexible instrument including—
- a transmission member;
- an antenna at a distal end portion of the transmission member;
- a sheath surrounding the antenna and the transmission member;
- and
- at least one fluid conduit at least partially disposed within the sheath, wherein—
- the at least one fluid conduit defines a fluid inlet channel configured to transport fluid proximal to a distal end of the antenna, and
- the at least one fluid conduit is configured to provide variable recoverable flexibility along at least a section of the flexible instrument.
A method of operating an energy delivery system, the energy delivery system including a flexible instrument having a transmission member, an antenna at a distal end portion of the transmission member, a sheath surrounding the flexible instrument, and a fluid conduit at least partially disposed within the sheath, the method comprising:
- providing resilient flexibility, using the fluid conduit, to at least a section of the flexible instrument during navigation of the flexible instrument to a target within a patient;
- delivering energy to the target via the antenna;
- and
- delivering fluid proximate the antenna at least while delivering energy to the target,
- wherein the fluid is delivered via the fluid conduit while a distal end of the fluid conduit is extended to a distal end portion of the antenna.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.