Era Endoscopy S.r.l.

Other

Korea Institute of Science and Technology

Karl Storz-gmbh & Co. Kg

Alberto Arena

Paolo Dario

Arianna Menciassi

Samuele Gorini

Giuseppe Pernorio

Klaus M Irion

Maria Chiara Carrozza

Fritz Hensler

Robert Puers

Heinz-Gerhard Graf

Christine Harendt

David Turgis

Bert Lenaerts

Vassilis Kodogiannis

Louis Phee Soo Jay

The invention relates to an intracorporeal probe (), for example preferably for examining hollow organs or natural or artificially created body cavities in the human or animal body, the probe () being designed in the form of a capsule that can be introduced into the body without external connecting elements, comprising an elongate housing () and an image pickup unit () inside the housing () that is designed for optically recording a region (pickup region) outside the probe (). The image pickup unit () is held in a fashion capable of moving inside the housing () in order to vary the pickup region by means of such a movement (FIG.).

Intracorporeal videocapsule with swiveling image pickup

An endoscopic device for autonomous locomotion through a selected body cavity in a predetermined direction, the device comprising a hollowed, cylindrical body that extends between two, preferably, the front and rear, end portions, respectively. The body is made of a relatively elastic material and includes an anchor for temporarily and alternately attaching the end portions to a wall portion of the body cavity in synch with corresponding axial extensions and contractions of the body. The body incorporates a reinforcement structure distributed along its length that is substantially rigid in a radial direction and yields in an axial direction, the structure specifically comprising either a plurality of relatively rigid rings or at least one helical spring.

Self-propelled endoscopic device

An endoscopic device capable of autonomous locomotion through a body cavity in a pre-established direction of displacement is described. The endoscopic device comprises a tubular body that extends between a front end portion and a rear end portion and a reinforcement structure distributed along the length of the tubular body. Each end portion includes an anchoring means for temporarily and alternately attaching the end portions to a wall of the body cavity.

Endoscopic device

An endoscopic device for locomotion in a body cavity according to a prefixed advancing direction (A) comprising at least a variable length intermediate section () extending between a front end section () and a rear end section (). First and second clamping means () are integral to the front and rear section, for alternately grasping respective surrounding portions of wall (P) of the body cavity. Sucking means () are associated to the first and second clamping means for creating a depression sufficient to cause the body cavity wall portions to collapse within the first and second clamping means while they are in an open condition. Means for actuating alternate extensions and retractions of the intermediate section and actuating means () of the first and second clamping means are further provides for synchronous operation to generate a forward motion of the rear end section due to a retraction of the intermediate section, the wall portion (P) surrounding the first clamping means being firmly held therebetween, and to generate a forward motion of the front end section due to an extension of the intermediate section, the wall portion (P) surrounding the second clamping means being firmly held therebetween.

Endoscopic device for locomotion through the gastro-intestinal tract

A proportional valve is disclosed for controlling the outlet pressure of a fluid flowing therethrough. The valve comprises a valve body having an inlet port and an outlet port for the fluid. The valve also has an inner chamber, within which there is formed a valve seat that may be opened and closed variably by a shutter axially movable from and towards the valve seat. Movement of the shutter is controlled by a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuating member operating antagonistically to an elastic member, the temperature of the fluid being lower than the transition temperature of the shape memory alloy. The actuating member and the elastic member are connected to the body valve at opposite sides relative to the valve seat. A power control circuit is also provided for circulating an electric current through the actuating member so as to heat the same by Joule effect from a temperature lower than the transition temperature to one that is higher. At least one vent hole is formed in the valve body for putting a portion of the chamber upstream of the valve seat into fluid communication with the outside or a collection network. The actuating member is housed in that portion of chamber corresponding to the inlet port of the fluid, whereby a continuous flow of fluid around the actuating member is ensured for accelerating the cooling process. A closed-loop control circuit for the power control circuit controls the circulating current as a function of a pressure signal generated by fluid pressure sensing means and in such a way as to offset the retarding effect produced by the fluid during heating of the actuating member.

Proportional valve with shape memory alloy actuator

Growing community of inventors

Cascina, Italy

Alberto Arena