Articulating mechanism

Inactive Publication Date: 2011-01-27
INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]According to aspects of the invention, articulating tools are provided with improved articulating mechanisms as well as methods of assembling

Problems solved by technology

Oftentimes, this limited range of motion makes it difficult to negotiate acute angles (e.g., in the rectosigmoid colon), creating patient discomfort and increasing the risk of trauma to surrounding tissues.
Although there are many benefits of laparoscopic surgery, e.g., less postoperative pain, early mobilization, and decreased adhesion formation, it is often difficult to

Method used

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Examples

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Example

[0026]Articulating tools are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,090,637; US 2005 / 0107667; US 2005 / 0273084; US 2005 / 0273085; US 2006 / 0111209, US 2006 / 0111210, and US 2006 / 0111615. The articulating mechanisms of the tools described in those publications use multiple pairs of segments or links controlled, e.g., by multiple sets of cables, as well as tools that have a single pair of links, connected by a single set of cables, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,146. Depending upon the specific design of the device, the links can be discrete segments (as described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 7,090,637) or discrete portions of a flexible segment (as described, e.g., in US 2005 / 0273085). The instrument may also include steerable or controllable links, e.g., as described in US 2005 / 0273084, US 2006 / 0111209 and US 2006 / 0111210. The devices of this invention may include optional end effectors at their distal ends and end effector actuators supported by a handle at their proximal ends. When u...

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Abstract

An articulating mechanism is provided with at least one pair of spherical joints interconnected by a set of tension members. Each joint includes a ball member, a socket member configured to pivotably receive at least a portion of the ball member, and at least one tension member extending through both the ball and socket members parallel to and offset from a central longitudinal axis of the joint.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to articulating mechanisms and applications thereof, including the remote guidance and manipulation of surgical or diagnostic tools.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Surgical procedures such as endoscopy and laparoscopy typically employ instruments that are steered within or towards a target organ or tissue from a position outside the body. Examples of endoscopic procedures include sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and bronchoscopy, as well as newer procedures in natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (“NOTES”). Traditionally, the insertion tube of an endoscope is advanced by pushing it forward, and retracted by pulling it back. The tip of the tube may be directed by twisting and general up / down and left / right movements. Oftentimes, this limited range of motion makes it difficult to negotiate acute angles (e.g., in the rectosigmoid colon), creating patient discomfort and increasing the risk of trauma to...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A61B17/28A61B1/00F16C11/06
CPCA61B17/29A61B17/2909A61B2017/003A61B2017/00314A61B2017/00327A61B2017/2908Y10T403/32639A61B2017/2911A61B2017/2925A61B2017/2927F16C11/0614B25J17/00Y10T74/20323A61B2017/291F16C2316/10Y10T403/32Y10T403/32032
Inventor HINMAN, CAMERON DALE
Owner INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS INC
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