The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 22, 2022
Filed:
Apr. 23, 2018
Canon U.s.a. Inc., Melville, NY (US);
Hidekazu Kose, Tokyo, JP;
Kiyoshi Takagi, Tokyo, JP;
Canon U.S.A., Inc., Melville, NY (US);
Abstract
The present application relates to a flexible manipulator including at least one flexible member (bend) controlled by an input device in the form of a joystick. Specifically, to prevent the flexible manipulator inserted into a narrow space from contacting surrounding objects, the flexible manipulator according to the present invention is configured to maintain the shape when the operator releases the joystick. However, when the flexible manipulator is shaped to be at a target position and subsequently needs to be returned to the original shape, the operator manipulates the joystick using complicated and time consuming manipulation techniques. A control device in communication with the flexible manipulator is configured to allow the operator to select an input method for maintaining the shape of the flexible manipulator after the joystick is released. In addition, an input method for returning the flexible manipulator to the original shape may be selected. This enables the operator to use an appropriate input method in accordance with the purpose of a medical procedure.