Microdrive for probes
AssigneeSherwood Services AG
InventorsLutz T. Kynast, William Rittman, James P. O'Connor, Michael Cundari, Eric Cosman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A probe is connected to a probe carrier that is positioned with respect to the body of a patient. The probe is moved into or out of the body incrementally by means of a driver mechanism and flexible coupler. The flexible coupler in one embodiment comprises a flexible sheath with a flexible driver shaft that can be passed within the flexible sheath and can be rotated or pushed forward and backward with respect to the sheath by a driver element thereby causing translational movement of probe. Several forms of probes, flexible coupling elements, and driver apparatus as well as methods of applications accommodate specific objectives.
Claims17
A system for driving a probe into the body of a patient, comprising:
- a probe carrier adapted to be positioned with respect to the body of a patient and to guide a probe which is to be advanced into the body of the patient;
- a driver apparatus comprising a base and a driver element which moves with respect to the base;
- a flexible coupler connecting said base to said probe for connecting the probe and the driver element so that movements of said driver element with respect to said base will cause movements of said probe with respect to said probe carrier and cause advancement or retraction of said probe into the body of the patient.
A system for driving a probe into the body of a patient comprising:
- a probe carrier adapted to be positioned with respect to the body of a patient and to guide a probe which is to be advanced into the body of a patient;
- a driver apparatus remote from the probe and having a driver element;
- a connector connecting the remote driver apparatus and the probe carrier to mechanically advance and retract the probe so that movement of the driver element will cause movements of the probe with respect to the probe carrier and with respect to the body of the patient.
A system for driving a probe into the body of a patient comprising:
- a probe carrier adapted to be positioned with respect to the body of a patient and to guide a probe which is to be advanced into the body of a patient;
- a driver apparatus remote from the probe and having a driver element, the driver element actuable to advance and retract the probe with respect to the probe carrier and patient;
- and
- a movement detector positioned adjacent the probe carrier to detect the position of the probe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.