摘要:
Methods and devices are provided for facilitating movement of a surgical tool through a tortuous pathway in the body. The devices and methods disclosed herein can be used in conventional, open surgical procedures, and they are particularly useful in minimally invasive surgical procedures, such as endoscopic procedures. In one aspect, the movement of the device relative to tissue is effected by applying suction to draw tissue to the device thus straightening the passageway. The suction can be removed or reduced and then the device can be further advanced along the passageway.
摘要:
An endoscope includes an insertion tube having an end, and an imaging catheter assembly. The imaging catheter assembly includes a tubular body, an imaging device, and a shape memory link that connects the imaging device to the tubular body.
摘要:
An electrically insulative layer of a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator includes an inorganic material formed upon a portion of an SMA substrate. A conductive material formed upon a portion of the electrically insulative layer in a trace pattern includes a first end, a second end, and a heating element disposed between the first and second ends. The SMA substrate is trained to deform at a transition temperature achieved when electricity is conducted through the conductive material via first and second interconnect pads terminating the first and second ends of the trace pattern.
摘要:
A medical device (100) enables a user to bend it into a shape to suit a specific patient need or to orient efficiently the medical device for use. The medical device (100) includes an elongate member (104), a mechanism (109), and an actuator (110). The mechanism (109) is disposed at the distal portion of the elongate member (104). The actuator (110) is at least partially disposed within the elongate member (104) and coupled to the mechanism (109) for actuating the mechanism relative to the elongate member. The elongate member (104) is capable of being bent into a shape by the user and of retaining the shape during use. The shape may include multiple bends, in multiple directions, as needed for an application. Thereafter, the elongate member is capable of being bent into a second shape by the user and of maintaining the second shape during use.
摘要:
A minimally invasive surgical instrument comprising: an elongate shaft having a working end, a proximal end, and a shaft axis between the working end and the proximal end; an end effector; a wrist member having an inner spring which includes a proximal portion connected to the working end of the elongate shaft and a distal portion connected to the end effector, the wrist member having a plurality of annular disks distributed along an axis of the inner spring, the annular disks each having an inside edge connected with the inner spring; and a plurality of actuation cables having distal portions connected to the end effector and extending from the distal portion of the wrist member through the wrist member toward the elongate shaft to proximal portions which are actuatable to bend the wrist member in pitch rotation and yaw rotation.
摘要:
There is provided a method of advancing an instrument along a path, comprising: selectively steering a distal portion of the instrument to assume a selected curve along the path; and creating a three dimensional model of the selected curve in the memory of an electronic motion controller. There is also provided a method of advancing an instrument along a path, comprising: attempting more than one time to selectively steer the distal portion of the instrument along the path; selecting a curve from the attempts to selectively steer the distal portion of the instrument along the path; and logging the curve into the memory of an electronic motion controller adapted to control the instrument. Provided also is an apparatus, comprising: an elongated instrument body having a selectively steerable distal portion and an automatically controllable proximal portion, the selectively steerable distal portion being configured to selectively assume a selected curve along a desired path, and the automatically controllable proximal portion being configured to propagate the selected curve along the elongated instrument body as the elongated instrument body is advanced along the selected curve; a proximal handle attached to the elongated instrument body; an electronic motion controller connected to the proximal handle and having an electronic memory; a three dimensional model of the selected curve created in the electronic memory of the electronic motion controller; and a steering control connected the handle for selectively steering the selectively steerable distal portion.
摘要:
An aneurysm patch apparatus (10) for treating an aneurysm (30) formed in a vessel includes a vessel interface side (16) and an opposing non-interface side (18). A patch (14) is formed of a sufficiently flexible material to provide a patch stowed state when the patch is delivered through the vessel and a patch deployed state when the patch is at least partially positioned over the mouth of the aneurysm. The interface side of the patch is configured to form an adherence between the patch and an area of a vessel wall adjacent to the aneurysm mouth (28). The adherence (22) maintains a fixed position of the patch relative to the aneurysm mouth and can be achieved by use of vacuum, barbs, hooks, graspers, pinchers or the like. The patch delivery catheter (12) includes a first lumen (32) coupled to a low pressure source for collapsing the aneurysm, and a second lumen (36) for consequently applying adhesive to provide contact between patch and vessel wall.
摘要:
A shape memory device includes a shape memory alloy member configured to have at least a portion of the shape memory alloy member be selectively activated. A heating device is coupled to the member and configured to provide heat to a selected section of the member and activate at least a portion of the selected section.