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:
Apr. 01, 2003
Filed:
Jan. 29, 2001
Barry Edward Luke, Canvey Island, GB;
Keymed (Medical & Industrial) Ltd., Southend-on-Sea, GB;
Abstract
An apparatus and method for performing an operation on a workpiece at an inaccessible location are described. The apparatus includes a tube with proximal and distal ends, the distal end being insertable in use into an inaccessible location. A head is flexibly coupled to the distal end of the tube and can be moved relative to the tube by control means. Laser energy can be transmitted through the tube and out of the head. The apparatus includes viewing means for gathering and displaying an image of the workpiece and tracking means operable to identify and record the position of one or more selected points of the workpiece. A processor is provided to actuate the control means so as to move the head to direct the laser energy to the selected point or points of a workpiece and to control the laser so as to perform the desired operation on the workpiece.