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:
Jun. 13, 2017
Filed:
Aug. 01, 2012
Asghar Ataollahi, London, GB;
Kaspar Althoefer, London, GB;
Tobias Richard Schaeffter, London, GB;
Kawaldeep Rhode, London, GB;
Asghar Ataollahi, London, GB;
Kaspar Althoefer, London, GB;
Tobias Richard Schaeffter, London, GB;
Kawaldeep Rhode, London, GB;
KINGS COLLEGE LONDON, London, GB;
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide a continuum manipulator that can be used, for example, as a steerable catheter tip. The manipulator of the embodiments comprises a plurality of segments arranged in a stack, which is then able to bend in a range of directions away from the long axis of the stack. In one embodiment the segments include a helical portion which winds in the direction of the long axis of the stack, and can thus bend away from the long axis in any direction. In some embodiments a carbon fiber rod is included as a backbone for the stack, to minimize hysteresis and improve repeatability of bending. In addition, in embodiments of the invention tendon control channels are provided formed within the segments, through which tendon control wires extend to apply compression and/or bending forces to the stack.