| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080245841 | Method for Operating an Electrical Surgical Instrument with Optimal Tissue Compression - A method for effecting a tissue-compressing surgery at a user-selected compression force provides an electrical switch having switching states changed solely by mechanical movements. The switch is mechanically coupled with an adjustable biasing device retaining the switch in one state until a force greater than the bias device is imparted to the switch. The switch is in line with a tissue-compressing device to place a proportional amount of compression force on the switch as imparted upon the tissue. The biasing device is set to a desired state-changing tissue compression force so that the switch changes its state when the force on the switch is at least the desired force. Tissue compresses until a force imparted on the switch at least equals the desired state-changing tissue compression force and, at such time, the switching state changes and, thereafter, a surgical procedure is carried out on the compressed tissue. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080251569 | Optimal Tissue Compression Electrical Surgical Instrument - An OTC surgical device includes a handle having therein a compression controller and thereat an end effector, which has an electrically controlled tissue-compressor coupled to the controller and powered thereby to selectively control tissue compression. A mechanical binary-output electrical switch is disposed in-line with the compressor to place a compressing force directed upon the compressed tissue proportionally upon the switch. The switch has two switching states initiated and changed only by mechanical movement. The switch includes a biasing device retaining the switch in a first switching state until a force imparted thereupon overcomes the bias force to change to the second switching state. A switching-state-status output provides information identifying a current state and communicates with the compression controller to selectively control compression of tissue based upon the information. With appropriate feedback, the controller can keep the tissue at OTC while the surgical procedure is carried out. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080277447 | Surgical Stapling and Cutting Device - A medical device includes a control handle, an end effector, and a passive articulating joint connecting the end effector to the handle. The handle has a stapling actuator, an articulation joint actuator different from the stapling actuator, and a body through which the stapling and articulation joint actuators traverse. The end effector has an anvil, a stapler cartridge with staples, and an anvil-cartridge control device connected thereto and to the stapling actuator and staples when the stapling actuator is actuated. The stapling actuator passes through the articulating joint and flexes correspondingly to articulation of the articulating joint. The articulation joint actuator, when unactuated, holds the articulation joint and, thereby, the end effector, in a substantially fixed articulation position, and, when actuated, releases the articulation joint into its freely articulating state to permit free articulation of the end effector dependent upon external forces acting upon the end effector. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20090057369 | Electrically Self-Powered Surgical Instrument With Manual Release - An electrically operated surgical instrument includes a surgical end effector having an actuation assembly effecting a surgical procedure when actuated and a handle connected to the end effector for actuating the assembly. A part of the assembly moves between start and fully actuated positions. The handle has a self-contained power supply and a drive assembly disposed entirely within the handle. The drive assembly has an electrically powered motor and a controller electrically connected to the power supply and to the motor. The controller selectively operates the motor. A transmission mechanically connects the motor to the moving part and selectively displaces the moving part anywhere between the start and fully extended positions when the motor is operated. A manual release is mechanically coupled to the transmission to selectively interrupt the transmission and, during interruption, displaces the moving part towards the start position independent of motor operation. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090137878 | Flexible, Selectively Rotatable Tissue Retractor and Method for Using the Retractor - A retractor for manipulating an object, the retractor includes a retractor body with proximal and distal ends, a retraction device with a head connected at the distal end of the retractor body and flexible needles of a shape memory material having a memory shape, the memory shape of the needles including a portion with an arcuate shape housed, at least partially, within the head. The retractor further includes an actuation device connected to the proximal end of the retractor body and operatively connected to the needles, the actuation device, upon actuation thereof, moving the needles out of the head and withdrawing the needles into the head and a rotation joint allowing the distal end of the retractor body and the retraction device to rotate independent of the proximal end of the retractor body. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090138003 | Cordless Medical Cauterization and Cutting Device - A cordless cautery and cutting surgical device includes a modular battery and a surgical handle. The battery has a cordless radio-frequency-signal-generation assembly generating an output radio-frequency signal and a first selectively removable connector part. The surgical handle has a first handle body portion with a bipolar cautery and cutting end effector. The end effector has jaws with bipolar contacts and a cutting blade disposed between the jaws. The handle has a second body portion connected to the first body portion, defines therein an aseptically sealable battery-holding compartment selectively exposed to the environment and removably holding therein the battery, and a second selectively removable connector part operable to removably hold the first connector part thereto. The second connector part has conductors electrically connecting the RF assembly to the bipolar contacts for supplying the radio-frequency signal to the bipolar contacts when the first and second connector parts are removably secured together. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090138006 | CORDLESS POWER-ASSISTED MEDICAL CAUTERIZATION AND CUTTING DEVICE - A cordless cautery and cutting surgical device includes a modular battery and a surgical handle operable to removably hold the battery thereto. The handle has a cordless radio-frequency-signal-generation assembly and a surgical bipolar end effector having jaws and a cutting blade therebetween. The signal-generation assembly selectively supplies radio-frequency signal to the end effector when powered for electrocautery of tissue between the jaws. The handle defines therein an aseptically sealable battery-holding compartment selectively exposed to the environment and removably holding therein the battery. A motor assembly is disposed in the handle and is electrically connected to the battery and/or the signal-generation assembly and is powered and controlled thereby. The motor assembly physically couples to the blade and/or at least one jaw for moving the blade/jaw(s). The second connector part electrically connects the battery to the signal-generation assembly and/or the motor assembly when the battery is removably disposed in the compartment. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090143797 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - An ultrasonic surgical assembly includes a reusable cordless ultrasonic transducer and a disposable handle body that defines a battery-holding compartment therewithin, having an ultrasonic surgical waveguide, and operable to removably couple the transducer to the waveguide, the transducer being removably couplable to the handle body. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090143798 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - An ultrasonic surgical waveguide driving assembly for attachment to a surgical ultrasonic instrument handle with a cordless power source therein includes a reusable cordless ultrasonic transducer that has an ultrasonic waveguide couple at which the transducer is operable to excite a waveguide attached thereto and a power input disposed to substantially simultaneously connect the waveguide couple to a waveguide and the power input to a power source located within the handle. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090143799 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - A disposable ultrasonic surgical handle includes a disposable handle body defining a battery-holding compartment shaped to receive a battery therein and operable to couple a proximal end of an ultrasonic waveguide to an ultrasonic transducer therethrough. The body has a transducer dock exposed to the environment and interchangeably housing the transducer and a waveguide attachment dock shaped to align and attach the proximal end of the waveguide to the transducer and hold them at the body when the respectively docked at the transducer and attachment docks. A disposable driving-wave generation circuit in the handle body electrically contacts the battery and the transducer when the battery and the transducer are disposed respectively in the battery-holding compartment and the transducer dock. The circuit generates an output waveform sufficient to cause ultrasonic movement along the waveguide by exciting the transducer when the transducer is coupled to the waveguide. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090143800 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - An ultrasonic surgical assembly for connection to an ultrasonic surgical handle includes a reusable exterior body defining an internal compartment and having a connection operable to removably secure the body in a body-holding compartment within the ultrasonic surgical handle, a reusable cordless ultrasonic-movement-generation assembly disposed in the compartment and having an output couple removably attachable to an ultrasonic waveguide and operable to impart ultrasonic movement to the ultrasonic waveguide, and a reusable and rechargeable battery disposed in the compartment and electrically connected to and powering the assembly. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090143801 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - A disposable ultrasonic surgical handle includes a disposable handle body that has a first handle body portion defining a handgrip and a second handle body portion connected to the first handle body portion, where the second handle body portion has a waveguide attachment dock exposed to the environment and having a first couple operable to connect an ultrasonic waveguide thereto and an aseptically sealable powered-ultrasonic-motion-generator assembly dock shaped to connect the ultrasonic waveguide in the attachment dock to an assembly within the assembly dock through the second handle body portion. The disposable ultrasonic surgical handle also includes a disposable compartment door movably connected to the second handle body portion to selectively expose the assembly dock to the environment, where the handle has an open position exposing the assembly dock to the environment and permitting entry and removal of the powered-ultrasonic-motion-generator assembly respectively into and from the assembly dock and a closed position aseptically sealing the assembly dock from the environment. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090143802 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - An ultrasonic surgical assembly includes a disposable ultrasonic waveguide, a reusable exterior body, and a cordless ultrasonic-movement-generation assembly removably disposed in the body and operable to generate ultrasonic movement of the waveguide when connected thereto. The assembly also includes a reusable and rechargeable battery disposed in the body, a disposable handle having both a waveguide attachment dock exposed to the environment and operably connecting the waveguide thereto and an aseptically sealable assembly dock exposed to the environment and shaped to connect the waveguide in the attachment dock to the assembly through the handle when the assembly is disposed in the assembly dock. The assembly further includes a disposable compartment door that is movably connected to the handle to selectively expose the assembly dock to the environment and has an open position, permitting entry and removal of the assembly respectively into and from the assembly dock, and a closed position, aseptically sealing the assembly dock from the environment. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090143803 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - An ultrasonic surgical assembly includes an ultrasonic waveguide and a cordless ultrasonic-movement-generation assembly that has a selectively removable securing connector and an output couple operable to impart ultrasonic movement to the ultrasonic waveguide when the waveguide is connected thereto. The assembly also includes a removable battery and a surgical handle that has a first handle body portion defining therein an aseptically sealable battery-holding compartment selectively exposed to the environment, aseptically removably holding therein the battery and electrically connecting the battery therein to the ultrasonic-movement-generation assembly. A second handle body portion is connected to the first handle body portion and has a waveguide attachment dock that is exposed to the environment and has a first couple operable to connect the waveguide thereto and an ultrasonic-movement-generation assembly dock that is exposed to the environment and shaped to removably secure the second handle body portion to the securing connector and connect the ultrasonic waveguide in the attachment dock to the output couple through the second handle body portion. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090143804 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - An ultrasonic assembly that is removably connectable to an ultrasonic waveguide of an ultrasonic surgical handle includes a cordless ultrasonic-movement-generation assembly having an ultrasonic generator and an ultrasonic transducer electrically coupled to the generator and having an output couple, a shell housing therein the ultrasonic-movement-generation assembly and having a securing connection shaped to removably connect to the ultrasonic surgical handle. The output couple is operable to impart ultrasonic movement to the ultrasonic waveguide when the securing connection is connected to the ultrasonic surgical handle and the waveguide is connected to the output couple. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090143805 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - A disposable ultrasonic surgical handle connectable to an ultrasonic waveguide, a battery, and an ultrasonic-movement-generator assembly includes a first handle body portion defining therein an aseptically sealable battery-holding compartment shaped to receive the battery therein, a second handle body portion connected to the first handle body portion, and an electrical couple. The second handle body portion has a waveguide attachment dock exposed to the environment and an ultrasonic-movement-generator assembly dock exposed to the environment and shaped to connect the ultrasonic waveguide in the waveguide attachment dock to the ultrasonic-movement-generator assembly through the second handle body portion. The electrical couple is operable to connect a battery within the battery-holding compartment to the ultrasonic-movement-generator-assembly when the ultrasonic-movement-generator assembly is docked at the ultrasonic-movement-generator assembly dock. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090171354 | Cordless Medical Cauterization and Cutting Device - A cordless surgical device includes a modular battery, a radio-frequency signal generating assembly, a surgical handle and an interchangeable circuit casing. The RF signal generating assembly includes RF-signal-generating circuitry, a voltage-control circuit and an external output. The voltage circuit is configured to control an output of the RF-signal-generating circuitry. The handle is configured to support a bipolar end effector having jaws with bipolar contacts and a cutting blade disposed between the jaws. The handle includes leads operable to receive RF signals from the external output and defines an aseptically sealable battery-holding compartment configured to hold the battery. The circuit casing is configured to house the RF signal generating assembly and includes a securing connection adapted to couple the external output of the RF signal generating assembly to the leads. The external output is operable to impart RF signals to the handle when the circuit casing connects to the handle. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090240245 | Method for Powering a Surgical Instrument - A method for powering an electrosurgical instrument includes the steps of inserting a removable battery assembly into an electrosurgical instrument and activating the power control circuit to power the electrosurgical instrument. The removable battery assembly includes a power control circuit powered by at least one energy storage cell, a radio-frequency-signal-generation assembly communicatively coupled to the power control circuit and operable to selectively produce a radio-frequency signal, and a battery assembly/instrument interface operably coupled to the radio-frequency-signal-generation assembly. The battery assembly/instrument interface includes a first plurality of connectors removably connectable with at least one corresponding connector coupled to the electrosurgical instrument, at least one of the first plurality of connectors being operable to supply the radio-frequency signal to the electrosurgical instrument. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090299280 | Catheter with Controllable Stiffness and Method for Operating a Selective Stiffening Catheter - A method and device for treating a Chronic Total Occlusion provides a controllable stiffness catheter with a shaft having a stiffness sheath and an access lumen. The device has a stiffness device in a stiff state below a given temperature and in a soft state above the temperature, a temperature-changing device in thermal contact with the stiffness device, the temperature-changing device changing a temperature of the stiffness device below and above the temperature, and a power controller electrically connected to the stiffness device and selectively supplying power to the temperature-changing device to change a stiffness of the stiffness device between the stiff and soft states. A guidewire is moved to a treatment site and the catheter moves along the guidewire up to CTO in its soft state. The catheter stiffens without straightening and, in the stiff state, the catheter or the guidewire is projecting through the CTO. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090327715 | System and Method for Cryptographic Identification of Interchangeable Parts - An anti-counterfeiting identification system for a medical tubing system, including a tubing assembly having upstream and downstream tubing portions removably connected to one another in a mechanically coupled state and a mechanically uncoupled state. The mechanically coupled state is a reliable fluid tight connection of the upstream and downstream portions for fluids passing there through from the upstream portion to the downstream portion. A two-part encrypted identification assembly has a first part connected to the upstream portion and a second part connected to the downstream portion. The first and second parts are electrically connected only through one lead and ground and are electrically connected to one another only in the mechanically coupled state. Also provided are methods for identification, anti-piracy, and inventory. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100000074 | Method of Assembling a Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - A method for assembling an ultrasonic surgical assembly includes the steps of substantially simultaneously removably coupling an ultrasonic-driving-wave-signal generating circuit to an ultrasonic surgical handle body and removably inserting an ultrasonic-movement-producing distal end of a rotatably free ultrasonic transducer into the ultrasonic surgical handle body. An ultrasonic waveguide is inserted into the ultrasonic surgical handle body opposite the ultrasonic-movement-producing distal end. The ultrasonic waveguide is rotated with respect to the ultrasonic transducer to fixedly couple the ultrasonic waveguide to the ultrasonic-movement-producing distal end of the ultrasonic transducer. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100004668 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device and Method - A disposable ultrasonic surgical handle connectable to an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic waveguide, a removable battery, and an ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly, includes a handle body with a portion defining a battery-holding compartment, the battery-holding compartment having at least two battery contacts, a waveguide attachment dock exposed to the environment and shaped to accept the waveguide therein, a transducer attachment dock exposed to the environment and shaped to place the ultrasonic transducer in coaxial alignment with the waveguide when the waveguide is disposed within the waveguide attachment dock, and an ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly dock exposed to the environment. The ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly dock is shaped to substantially simultaneously selectively removably secure the ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly to the handle body, place an end of the ultrasonic transducer within the transducer attachment dock, and electrically couple the ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly to the at least two battery contacts. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100004669 | Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device and Method - A disposable ultrasonic surgical handle connectable to an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic waveguide, a battery, and an ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly, includes a handle body having a power supply portion defining a battery-holding compartment, the battery-holding compartment having at least two battery contacts, a waveguide attachment dock exposed to the environment and shaped to accept the waveguide therein, an ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly dock exposed to the environment and shaped to selectively removably secure the ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly to the handle body and electrically couple the ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly to the battery contacts, and a transducer attachment dock exposed to the environment and shaped to substantially simultaneously place the ultrasonic transducer in coaxial alignment with the waveguide when the waveguide is disposed within the waveguide attachment dock and electrically couple the ultrasonic transducer to the ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly when the ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly is secured to the ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly dock. The battery can be removable. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100030248 | Medical Ultrasonic Cauterization and Cutting Device and Method - An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a first jaw having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the shaft terminating at the proximal end of the first jaw and the first jaw has an internal trough running from and through the proximal end of the first jaw and terminating at a point prior to the distal end of the first jaw and a surface having a plurality of teeth on either side of the trough and at the distal end of the first jaw. A second jaw has a surface facing the surface of the first jaw and having a plurality of teeth thereat. An ultrasonic waveguide extends beyond the shaft and is slidably engagable with the trough, where the ultrasonic waveguide has a distal end, a proximal end, a top surface portion, and a tissue compressing surface upwardly sloping from the distal end of the ultrasonic waveguide to the proximal end of the ultrasonic waveguide, at least one of the tissue compressing surface and the top surface portion forming a cutting surface and wherein the jaws are operable to compress tissue therebetween and the ultrasonic waveguide is operable to slide within the trough to further compress and cut the compressed tissue as the ultrasonic waveguide moves in a direction from the proximal end of the first jaw to the distal end of the first jaw. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100096431 | ACTIVE BRAKING ELECTRICAL SURGICAL IINSTRUMENT AND METHOD FOR BRAKING SUCH AN INSTRUMENT - An electrically powered surgical instrument includes a surgical end effector having a surgical procedure effecting actuation assembly. A handle is coupled with the end effector. An electric motor is disposed within a shell of the handle and has power terminals and a drive train actuating the assembly when the motor is supplied with power. A break-before-make power supply switch at the handle selectively controls supply of power to the motor. A post-termination braking circuit electrically short-circuits the power terminals when the switch does not supply power to the motor. A method for post-termination braking of an electrical motor utilizes the permanent magnetic field of the motor to counteract an inertia-induced over-stroke characteristic of the motor, drive train, and/or actuation assembly after powered operation by short-circuiting the still-spinning motor to create an electrically generated magnetic field in opposition to the permanent magnetic field upon ceasing supply of power to the motor. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100127040 | Method for Surgical Stapling and Cutting Device with Dual Actuating Control Knob - A method for operating a surgical end effector, including providing a control shaft having a longitudinal axis with a distal end effector assembly at least partially actuated by a displacement of an actuating part along the longitudinal axis and providing the control shaft with a proximal handle connector having a rotating link operable to connect the control shaft to a control handle rotatably about the longitudinal axis. An end effector two-function control device is fixed rotationally to at least part of the control shaft to couple rotation of the two-function control device, the control shaft, and the end effector assembly about the longitudinal axis and is fixed longitudinally to the actuating part to couple longitudinal movement of the two-function control device and the actuating part with respect to the control shaft. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100230465 | Methods for Cryptographic Identification of Interchangeable Parts for Surgical Instruments - A method for encrypted authentication of interchangeable parts of a surgical instrument includes providing a surgical end effector at a distal end of a handle of the surgical instrument and electrically connecting an authentication controller within the handle to a receiving portion of the end effector. An interchangeable part is removably placed at the receiving portion. The interchangeable part is authenticated with the authentication controller when the interchangeable part is seated in the end effector. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100258611 | Electrical Surgical Stapling Instrument with Tissue Compressive Force Control - A surgical stapling instrument includes a handle having a stapler-closing device. A surgical stapling end effector is connected to the handle and has a pair of opposing stapling surfaces. At least one of the stapling surfaces is operable to move with respect to the other of the stapling surfaces upon actuation of the stapler-closing device to apply a compressive force to tissue therebetween. At least one variable member is operable to receive the compressive force applied to the tissue and to exhibit at least one of mechanical and electrical change associated with the received compressive force. The change influences a surgical procedure on the compressed tissue. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100280510 | Method for Operating a Selective Stiffening Catheter - A method for delivering RF energy to living tissue includes the steps of extending a guidewire to a tissue treatment site in a body. A controllable stiffness catheter is provided with a stiffness device having non-metallic properties and a temperature-changing device. The stiffness device is in a stiff state below a given temperature and in a soft state above the given temperature. While supplying power to the temperature-changing device, the catheter is threaded along the guidewire up to the treatment site in the soft state. Power is removed from the temperature-changing device to alter the non-metallic properties of the stiffness device and directly result in a change of the stiffness device to the stiff state without straightening the catheter. The RF energy supply device is physically contacted with the treatment site and RF energy is delivered to the treatment site from the RF energy supply device. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20110009890 | Method of Switching a Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - A method for operating an ultrasonic, self-powered surgical device, includes the steps of connecting a self-contained power supply to a surgical device handle, providing a control circuit within at least one of the handle and the power supply, the control circuit being operable to carry out at least two operational conditions of the surgical device, and effecting the at least two operational conditions with a two-stage switch electrically connected to the control circuit, a first stage of the switch effecting a first of the at least two operational conditions and a second stage of the switch effecting a second of the at least two operational conditions different from the first operational condition. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110054506 | Two-Stage Switch for Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device - An ultrasonic, self-powered surgical device includes a handle, a self-contained power supply associated with the handle, and a control circuit disposed within the handle and/or the power supply. The control circuit is operable to carry out at least two operational conditions of the surgical device. A two-stage switch is electrically connected to the control circuit and effects the at least two operational conditions of the surgical device. A first stage of the switch effects a first of the at least two operational conditions and a second stage of the switch effects a second of the at least two operational conditions that is different from the first operational condition. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110071360 | Tissue Retractor and Method for Using the Retractor - A retractor for manipulating an object includes a body having proximal and distal ends and a retraction device with a head connected to the distal end of the body, a connector movably disposed in the body, and flexible needles of a shape memory material having a memory shape. The needles are connected to the connector and each have a distal tip. The memory shape of the needles include a portion with an arcuate shape biasing the needles in a memory direction out and away from the head and toward the body to position the distal tip of each of the needles closer to the body when the needles are fully extended out of the head than when the needles are only partially extended out of the head. An actuation device is connected to the proximal end of the body and operatively connected to the connector through the body, the actuation device, upon actuation thereof, moves the connector to selectively extend the needles out of the head in different directions and withdraw the needles into the head. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110082444 | Zero-Pressure Balloon Catheter and Method for Using the Catheter - A safety catheter includes a multi-lumen shaft. The shaft has a proximal shaft portion with a distal end having a given outer diameter and a distal tip portion having an outer diameter less than the given outer diameter. A hollow balloon is disposed at a junction of the proximal shaft portion and the distal tip portion. The balloon has a distal leg fixedly secured to the distal tip portion and a proximal leg removably secured to the proximal shaft portion. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110130628 | Method for Transmitting Torque and Variably Flexing a Corrugated Insertion Device - A method for transmitting torque and variably flexing an insertion device for receiving an instrument includes the steps of providing a hollow body having a proximal end with an entrance for receiving an instrument, a distal end with a tip for protrusion of the instrument, an outer jacket and an inner sleeve, maintaining the hollow body in relatively flexible and relatively stiff conditions with wires disposed at least partly between the outer jacket and the inner sleeve and being free of at least one of the outer jacket and the inner sleeve, transmitting torque along the hollow body with a corrugated tube disposed between the outer jacket and the inner sleeve, and applying suction to create a vacuum between the outer jacket and the inner sleeve for placing the hollow body in the relatively stiff condition and relieving the vacuum for placing the hollow body in the relatively stiff condition, with a transitioning device for frictionally locking the wires and the corrugated tube in place. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110130630 | Method for Transmitting Torque and Variably Flexing a Corrugated Insertion Device - A method for transmitting torque and variably flexing an insertion device for receiving an instrument includes the steps of providing a hollow body, transmitting torque along the hollow body with a corrugated tube, applying suction to create a vacuum in the hollow body for placing the hollow body in a relatively stiff condition, relieving the vacuum for placing the hollow body in a relatively flexible condition, maintaining the hollow body in the relatively flexible and relatively stiff conditions with tendons disposed within the hollow body, and individually adjusting at least some of the tendons in length for steering a distal end of the hollow body. | 06-02-2011 |
