Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Endoscope apparatus, actuators, and methods therefor
- Patent Title (中): 内窥镜装置,致动器及其方法
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Application No.: US13336726Application Date: 2011-12-23
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Publication No.: US08845523B2Publication Date: 2014-09-30
- Inventor: Dale A. Lawrence , Sutha Aphanuphong
- Applicant: Dale A. Lawrence , Sutha Aphanuphong
- Applicant Address: US CO Denver
- Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate
- Current Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate
- Current Assignee Address: US CO Denver
- Agency: Sheridan Law, LLC
- Main IPC: A61B1/00
- IPC: A61B1/00 ; A61B1/012 ; A61B1/267 ; A61B17/00

Abstract:
There is disclosed a MicroFlex Scope (MFS). The MFS is a dexterous endoscope providing access, direct visualization, tissue sampling, and treatment, of body lumens. In one embodiment, the distal end of the MFS is an ultra-flexible tip that comprises a plurality of thin, curved shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator elements attached to at least one structural skeleton, a coil spring skeleton or hinge structure. The SMA actuator elements in each structural skeleton segment are indirectly heated by a heater element and produce force in response to their temperature relative to specific thresholds. In configurations comprising a plurality of actuator elements, multiplexing/demultiplexing of heating currents and sensor voltages may be accomplished via a parallel bus and demultiplexing circuit. In this regard, a demultiplexing circuit using standard microelectronic fabrication techniques may be designed to achieve individual sensing and control over each actuator element.
Public/Granted literature
- US20120172666A1 ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS, ACTUATORS, AND METHODS THEREFOR Public/Granted day:2012-07-05
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