US 5,188,111 A · Device for seeking an area of interest within a body

Abstract

An assembly is provided for seeking an area of interest within a body. The assembly includes an elongated directable member having a distal end for insertion into the body. The distal end includes a tip portion. The assembly also includes a deflector coupled to the directable member for deflecting the distal end of the directable member to direct the directable member within the body. The assembly further includes a sensor located in close proximity to the top portion of the directable member for sensing an area of interest within the body. The sensor generates an indicator signal upon detection of the area of interest. The assembly still further includes a control unit coupled to the deflector for controlling deflection of the distal end of the directable member by the deflector. The control unit generates a control signal to drive the deflector. The control unit stops deflection of the distal end of the directable member in response to the indicator signal generated by the sensor upon detection of the area of interest. The control unit holds the tip portion of the directable member in a stationary position directed toward the area of interest.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An assembly for seeking an area of interest within a body, the assembly comprising

an elongated directable member having a distal end for insertion into the body, the distal end including a tip portion,
deflecting means coupled to the directable member for deflecting the distal end of the directable member to direct the directable member within the body,
sensing means located in close proximity to the tip portion of the directable member for sensing an area of interest within the body, and generating an indicator signal upon detection of the area of interest, and
controlling means coupled to the deflecting means for controlling deflection of the distal end of the directable member by the deflecting means and generating a control signal to drive the deflecting means, the controlling means including means for stopping deflection of the distal end of the directable member by the deflecting means in response to the indicator signal generated by the sensing means upon detection of the area of interest.

1 more element

An assembly for seeking an area of interest within a body, the assembly comprising

an elongated directable member including a distal end for insertion into the body and at least one temperature activated memory element coupled to the distal end, the memory element moving to assume a predetermined shape when heated to a predetermined temperature,
heating means for heating the at least one memory element to deflect the distal end of the directable member to direct the directable member within the body,
means for coupling the heating means to the at least one temperature activated memory element,
a sensor located in close proximity to the distal end of the directable member for detecting an area of interest within the body,
controlling means coupled to the heating means for controlling deflection of the distal end of the directable member by the heating means and generating a first control signal to cause the heating means to deflect the distal end of the directable member, and the controlling means including means for generating a second control signal to cause the heating means to hold the distal end of the directable member in a stationary position directed toward the area of interest upon detection of the area of interest by the sensor, and
means for coupling the sensor to the controlling means.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Device for seeking an area of interest within a body

Life of this patent

Device for seeking an area of interest within a body

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20