US Patent:
20110184241, Jul 28, 2011
Inventors:
Brett Zubiate - Pittsburgh PA, US
Howard Choset - Pittsburgh PA, US
Assignee:
CARDIOROBOTICS, INC. - Raynham MA
International Classification:
A61B 1/008
Abstract:
An articulate probe device includes a first mechanism, a second mechanism, and an overtube mechanism. The first mechanism includes a proximal link which is movable coupled to a first intermediate link, a plurality of intermediate links, and a distal link which is moveably coupled to a second one of the intermediate links. The second mechanism includes a proximal link which is movable coupled to a first intermediate link, a plurality of intermediate links, and a distal link which is moveably coupled to a second one of the intermediate links. The overtube mechanism includes a proximal link which is movable coupled to a first intermediate link, a plurality of intermediate links, and a proximal link which is moveably coupled to a second one of the intermediate links. Further, at least one of the first mechanism, second mechanism, and overtube mechanism is steerable and extendable beyond the other mechanisms.