Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.

Joseph D Bogusky

Serena H Wong

Randall L Schlesinger

Kyle R Miller

An antenna system for tissue ablation comprises an energy transmission member, an antenna body coupled to the energy transmission member, a fluid source, and a choke member including a choke body and a choke connector electrically coupling the choke body to the energy transmission member. The choke connector is in direct contact with fluid from the fluid source and forms a delivery path for the fluid between the choke body and the energy transmission member. The choke connector and the choke body are integrally formed of a continuous wire mesh.

Cooled chokes for ablation systems and methods of use

Stiffening mechanisms or systems that assist or enable holding a pose or shape of a flexible body may be part of a steering mechanism for an end effector. The stiffening mechanisms may be separately actuated and/or may themselves also enable steering of a flexible elongate device. Further, the stiffening mechanisms may use information from sensor systems, such as a shape sensor in the form of an optical fiber, a plurality of EM sensors distributed along the length of a flexible device, and/or navigation systems, such as a sensor system that computes the approximate location of medical instruments (such as a flexible body) within the anatomy of the patient and/or medical tools that are delivered through a main lumen of the flexible body, to inform a control system which then controls formation and holding of a shape of the flexible body.

Systems and methods for holding a flexible elongate device in a pose

An antenna system for tissue ablation includes an energy transmission member, an antenna body coupled to the energy transmission member, a fluid source, and a choke member comprising an integrally formed choke body and choke connector electrically coupled to the energy transmission member by the choke connector. The choke body defines an outermost portion of the choke member. The choke body has an axial length and the choke connector extends along a majority of the length of the choke body and contacts the choke body along the majority of the length. The choke connector is in direct contact with a fluid from the fluid source. The choke connector is disposed between the choke body and the energy transmission member. The choke connector forms a delivery path for the fluid between the choke body and the energy transmission member. The choke connector and the choke body are a continuous wire mesh.

The following describes various applications and uses for a controllably rigidizable flexible device or sheath. Such rigidizing mechanisms can allow for a transition between a rigid state and a flexible state of a sheath. Rigidization can be applied along an entire length of a flexible sheath or along select portions of the sheath, and the rigidization can be of varying stiffness. Rigidization can be user controlled or automatically controlled using computer processes.

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Joseph D Bogusky