US 12,419,505 B2
Steerable endoscope system and method
Matthew J. Phillips, Carlsbad, CA (US); and Amand Kasimatis, Carlsbad, CA (US)
Assigned to Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed by Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed on Dec. 21, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/557,505.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/139,591, filed on Jan. 20, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0225859 A1, Jul. 21, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 1/005 (2006.01); A61B 1/05 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 1/0057 (2013.01) [A61B 1/05 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A steerable endoscope system, comprising:
an endoscope comprising:
a tubular body;
a plurality of wires disposed within the tubular body, wherein each wire of the plurality of wires is coupled to an endoscope distal end such that, upon deflection of one or more wires of the plurality of wires in a non-axial direction, the endoscope distal end changes orientation;
a controller in communication with the endoscope and comprising:
a display screen responsive to a user command to steer the endoscope; and
a processor that receives the user command and generates instructions to change the orientation of the endoscope distal end; and
at least one clamp having clamp sections, wherein the instructions cause the clamp sections to move closer together such that at least one of the one or more wires follows a contoured surface of one or more of the clamp sections, under a clamping force of the at least one clamp, to cause the change to the orientation of the endoscope distal end.