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. 20, 2007
Filed:
May. 21, 2001
Donald Dieter Frantz, Kitchener, CA;
Paul David Clausen, Kitchener, CA;
Terry Harold Fisher, Waterloo, CA;
Stephen Eldon Leis, Waterloo, CA;
Donald Dieter Frantz, Kitchener, CA;
Paul David Clausen, Kitchener, CA;
Terry Harold Fisher, Waterloo, CA;
Stephen Eldon Leis, Waterloo, CA;
Northern Digital Inc., Waterloo, CA;
Abstract
A flexible instrument includes a flexible member having a proximal portion, an intermediate portion, and a distal portion. At least one optical sensor positioned proximate the proximal portion of the flexible member provides a proximal end position signal indicative of the position of the proximal portion of the flexible member. At least one flexible member sensor positioned proximate one of the other portions of the flexible member provides a second position signal indicative of the position of the other portion of the flexible member.