Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.

Tiejun Hu

Anqi Fan

A method includes generating thermal energy at a distal end of an elongate member and transferring the thermal energy between the elongate member and a housing coupled to a proximal end of the elongate member by activating a heat pump device thermally coupled between the elongate member and the housing. The heat pump device is disposed at least partially outside the housing. In some examples, a plurality of heat pump devices each located at least partially outside the housing and along a heat path formed between the distal end of the elongate member and the housing may be activated.

Apparatus and method for increasing heat dissipation capacity of a medical instrument

A method and apparatus for improving a heat dissipation capacity. An apparatus comprises an elongate member, a housing, and a heat pump device. The elongate member has a distal end and a proximal end. The housing is coupled to the proximal end of the elongate member. The heat pump device is disposed between the proximal end of the elongate member and the housing. The heat pump device is disposed at least partially outside the housing and is configured to transfer thermal energy between the elongate member and the housing. The heat pump device has a maximum outer diameter that is greater than a maximum outer diameter of the elongate member.

Growing community of inventors

Fremont, CA, United States of America

Tiejun Hu