US 12,016,537 B2
Sponge-based variable-stiffness support structure for natural orifice surgical instrument and method for using the same
Shuxin Wang, Tianjin (CN); Xuyang Ren, Tianjin (CN); Guokai Zhang, Tianjin (CN); Zufeng Shang, Tianjin (CN); and Jinhua Li, Tianjin (CN)
Assigned to Tianjin University, Tianjin (CN)
Appl. No. 15/733,576
Filed by TIANJIN UNIVERSITY, Tianjin (CN)
PCT Filed Jun. 29, 2018, PCT No. PCT/CN2018/093599
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Sep. 2, 2020,
PCT Pub. No. WO2019/205277, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 31, 2019.
Claims priority of application No. 201810371746.1 (CN), filed on Apr. 24, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0000460 A1, Jan. 7, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/12 (2006.01); A61B 17/32 (2006.01); A61B 17/34 (2006.01)
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
OG exemplary drawing
 
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.