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US 8,444,549 B2Granted
Self-steering endoscopic device
AssigneeCovidien LP
InventorsFrank Viola, Eric Taylor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An endoscopic device including mechanisms to facilitate insertion of the device is disclosed. The device includes a sensing assembly configured for determining the position of the distal end of the device relative to a lumen. The device may further including a steering mechanism configured to direct the distal end of the device. A controller may be operably connected to the sensing assembly and the steering mechanism. The controller may be incorporated into the endoscopic device. Alternately, the controller may be positioned remote of the endoscopic device.
Claims22
An endoscopic device comprising:
- an elongated tubular body;
- a guide member extending distally from said elongated tubular body;
- and
- a sensing assembly operably affixed to said guide member and configured for sensing the location of said guide member relative to a lumen, wherein said sensing assembly includes a plurality of sensors configured to measure at least one of conductance, capacitance, resistance and proximity between at least two of said plurality of sensors.
1 more element
An endoscopic device comprising:
- an elongated tubular body;
- a guide member extending distally from said tubular body;
- and
- a steering mechanism operably connected to said elongated tubular body and said guide member for moving said guide member relative to said elongated tubular body, wherein said steering mechanism includes a plurality of magnetic members and a plurality of corresponding magnets.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.