Robotic endoscopy actuator

• US 20080214894A1
• Filed: 04/18/2007
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Wedel, Matthias
• Application Number:
  US11/788,177
• Publication Number:
  US 20080214894A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/118
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00158 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00411 actuated by application of energy from an energy source outside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/70 Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/72 Micromanipulators
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 7/06 using expansion or contraction of bodies due to heating, cooling, moistening, drying or the like using thermal expansion of non-vaporising liquids F01K

Abstract

A robotic endoscopy actuator is provided. The robotic endoscopy actuator includes a function means; and an energy absorption element that is operable to absorb energy from an electromagnetic field. The energy absorption element includes a heat element. The function means is operable to fulfill a function using heat energy.

Claims

1. A robotic endoscopy actuator comprising:

a function unit operable using heat energy; and

an energy absorption element operable to absorb energy from an electromagnetic field,

wherein the energy absorption element comprises a heat element operable to provide the heat energy to the function unit.

2. The robotic endoscopy actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat element is operable to directly absorb the energy from the electromagnetic field.

3. The robotic endoscopy actuator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the function unit is operable to generate a movement and the heat element is operable to apply a force needed for the movement.

4. The robotic endoscopy actuator as claimed in claim 3, wherein the function unit deforms by a heating of the heat element.

5. The robotic endoscopy actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat element is operable to be deformed through heating.

6. The robotic endoscopy actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat element comprises a fluid that is operable to be heated.

7. The robotic endoscopy actuator as claimed in claim 6,

wherein the fluid is provided for a deformation of the heat element through a phase transition.

8. The robotic endoscopy actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the function unit comprises an inner cavity with an outlet, the heat element being operable to force a substance from the outlet by a size change.

9. The robotic endoscopy actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat element is operable to absorb electromagnetic radiation from a first absorption frequency band.

10. The robotic endoscopy actuator as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of heat elements that can be controlled separately.

11. The robotic endoscopy actuator as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of heat elements that are operable to absorb electromagnetic radiation from absorption frequency bands.

18. The robotic endoscopy actuator as claimed in claim 9, wherein the heat element is operable to leave electromagnetic radiation from a second frequency band substantially unabsorbed.

12. An endorobot comprising:

an actuator that includes a function unit and an energy absorption element operable to absorb energy from an electromagnetic field; and

a control unit that is operable to control the actuator.

13. The endorobot as claimed in claim 12, wherein the control unit is operable to control a plurality of heat elements, each of the plurality of heat elements has a frequency assigned to the respective heat element, wherein the frequencies differ from one another.

14. The endorobot as claimed in claim 12, comprising a sensor for determining a size of the heat element.

15. The endorobot as claimed in claim 12, wherein a sensor is operable to determine an energy absorption of the heat element.

16. The endorobot as claimed in claim 12, wherein a sensor is operable to determine a shift of an absorption frequency band based on a movement of the heat element.

17. The endorobot as claimed in claim 12, comprising a plurality of sensors that are operable to monitor a respective plurality of heat elements.