CPC A61B 17/00234 (2013.01) [A61B 2017/003 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00305 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00938 (2013.01); A61B 17/12013 (2013.01); A61B 17/320016 (2013.01); A61B 17/3415 (2013.01); A61B 2017/3419 (2013.01); A61B 17/3421 (2013.01); A61B 2017/3429 (2013.01); A61B 2017/3445 (2013.01); A61B 2017/345 (2013.01); A61B 2017/3452 (2013.01); A61B 17/3494 (2013.01); A61B 17/3496 (2013.01)] | 13 Claims |
1. A sponge-based variable-stiffness support structure for natural orifice surgical instrument, configured to support the natural orifice surgical instrument comprising:
a variable-stiffness sponge pipeline connected with the natural orifice surgical instrument and configured to support the natural orifice surgical instrument in a natural orifice;
a first hydrophobic breathable film attached to an outer wall of the variable-stiffness sponge pipeline, and configured to isolate the variable-stiffness sponge pipeline from body fluid in the natural orifice; and
a gas delivery assembly connected with the variable-stiffness sponge pipeline and configured to inject high-pressure air or water vapor into a variable-stiffness sponge pipe of the variable-stiffness sponge pipeline;
wherein the variable-stiffness sponge pipeline has a stiffness inversely proportional to content of the water vapor.
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