Steerable structure of catheter or endoscope type
AssigneesSnecma, Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique, Universite Pierre et Marie Curie
InventorsSadia Bousquet, Jerome Szewczyk
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Abstract
A steerable structure of the catheter or endoscope type is disclosed. The structure includes an elastically or deformable longitudinal body including at least one actuator of material of the shape memory type incorporated longitudinally with the body together with a Joule-effect heater enabling the actuator to be contracted longitudinally in order to cause the longitudinal body to bend. The actuator extends over at least one portion of the body that presents varying stiffness.
Claims20
A steerable structure of catheter or endoscope type for observing or treating a masked object, the structure comprising:
- an elastically deformable longitudinal body having at least one actuator of shape memory type material incorporated longitudinally in the longitudinal body together with Joule-effect heater means enabling the actuator to be contracted longitudinally so as to cause the longitudinal body to bend,
- wherein the actuator extends over at least one portion of the longitudinal body of a varying stiffness comprising at least one extra thickness of material, said portion of the longitudinal body being formed with at least one extra thickness varying the thickness of the body over said portion and said varying stiffness resulting from said extra thickness.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.