Back to results
US 8,771,224 B2Granted
Shape-transferring cannula system and method of use
AssigneeIntuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
InventorJaime S. Vargas
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a novel shape-transferring cannula system, which provides access to tortuous and unsupported paths. The shape-transferring cannula system and method enables exploration of hollow body structures, and creates a custom-contoured access port for insertion and removal of, for example, diagnostic, surgical, or interventional instruments to and from a site within the body to which the physician does not have line-of-sight access.
Claims8
A rigidizable medical device comprising:
- a plurality of links positioned end-to-end to form an elongate member, the links being coupled together to articulate relative to one another;
- a compliant cover positioned around at least some of the plurality of links;
- and
- a pressure source in communication with the cover to actuate the cover between a first state and a second state,
- wherein the cover in the first state is sufficiently compressed against the elongate member to prevent articulation of the links, and
- wherein the cover in the second state does not significantly interfere with the plurality of links and allows the plurality of links to articulate relative to one another.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.