Uterus maneuvering and associated apparatus and method, with controlled drive
First Claim
1. In a uterus maneuvering apparatus, the combination comprising:
- a) a lengthwise elongated boom, and a strut carried at one end of the boom to be pivoted relative to the boom, the strut and boom adapted to be inserted via the vaginal canal to locate the strut to project into the uterine cavity,b) actuator means associated with the boom and strut for effecting controlled pivoting of the strut about a first axis and the boom about a second axis, said axes being relatively perpendicular,c) said actuator means including worm gear mechanism through which said controlled pivoting is effected,d) control means for controlling said actuator means, and including a servo system having an extra-corporeal manual control means, for coupling between said manual control means and actuator means, said coupling including electrical signal transmission means,e) said actuator means including;
i) a first electrically responsive actuator to affect pivoting of the strut about said first axis, through a first section of said worm gear mechanism, andii) a second electrically responsive actuator to effect pivoting of the boom, about said second axis, through a second section of said worm gear mechanism,f) and including a rotary link extending within the boom and coupling between the first actuator and said strut.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A uterus maneuvering apparatus comprising a lengthwise elongated boom, and a strut carried at one end of the boom to be pivoted relative to the boom, the strut and boom adapted to be inserted via the vaginal canal to locate the strut to project in the uterine cavity; actuator structure associated with the boom and strut for effecting controlled pivoting of the strut and worm gear mechanism through which drive to effect said pivoting is effected. Control structure may be provided for controlling the actuator structure, and including a servo system having an extra-corporeal manual control structure, for coupling between the manual control structure and actuator structure, the coupling including electrical signal transmission structure.
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Citations
57 Claims
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1. In a uterus maneuvering apparatus, the combination comprising:
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a) a lengthwise elongated boom, and a strut carried at one end of the boom to be pivoted relative to the boom, the strut and boom adapted to be inserted via the vaginal canal to locate the strut to project into the uterine cavity, b) actuator means associated with the boom and strut for effecting controlled pivoting of the strut about a first axis and the boom about a second axis, said axes being relatively perpendicular, c) said actuator means including worm gear mechanism through which said controlled pivoting is effected, d) control means for controlling said actuator means, and including a servo system having an extra-corporeal manual control means, for coupling between said manual control means and actuator means, said coupling including electrical signal transmission means, e) said actuator means including; i) a first electrically responsive actuator to affect pivoting of the strut about said first axis, through a first section of said worm gear mechanism, and ii) a second electrically responsive actuator to effect pivoting of the boom, about said second axis, through a second section of said worm gear mechanism, f) and including a rotary link extending within the boom and coupling between the first actuator and said strut. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 22)
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15. In a uterus maneuvering method, the steps that include:
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a) providing a lengthwise elongated boom, and a strut carried at one end of the boom to be pivoted relative to the boom, and inserting the strut and boom via the vaginal cavity to locate the strut to project in the uterine cavity, b) providing actuator means associated with the boom and strut for transmitting drives effecting controlled pivoting of the strut and boom, and c) providing worm gear mechanism through which said drives are effected, d) said actuator means provided to include; i) a first electrically responsive actuator to affect pivoting of the strut about a first axis, and ii) a second electrically responsive actuator to effect pivoting of the boom about a second axis, e) and providing a rotary link extending within the boom and coupling between the first actuator and said strut. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. In apparatus insertible into and maneuverable within the uterus, the combination comprising:
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a) a lengthwise elongated first means insertible via the vaginal canal to locate an end portion of said means to project in the uterine cavity, b) actuator means associated with said first means for producing drive effecting controlled maneuvering of said end portion in the uterus, and worm gear mechanism through which said drive is effected, c) and control means for controlling said actuator means, and including a servo system having an extra-corporeal manual control means, for coupling between said manual control means and actuator means, said coupling including electrical signal transmission means, d) said first means including a boom, and there being a rotary link means at least part of which extends within the boom for coupling between said actuator means and said end portion. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 36, 37, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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33. In body tissue maneuvering apparatus, the combination comprising:
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a) a lengthwise elongated boom, and a strut carried at one end of the boom to be pivoted relative to the boom, the strut and boom adapted to be inserted via a body opening to locate the strut to project into a body cavity, b) actuator means associated with the boom and strut for effecting controlled pivoting of the strut about a first axis and the boom about a second axis, said axes being relatively perpendicular, c) said actuator means including worm gear mechanism through which said controlled pivoting is effected, d) control means for controlling said actuator means, and including a servo system having an extra-corporeal manual control means, for coupling between said manual control means and actuator means, said coupling including electrical signal transmission means, e) said actuator means including; i) a first electrically responsive actuator to affect pivoting of the strut about said first axis, through a first section of said worm gear mechanism, and ii) a second electrically responsive actuator to effect pivoting of the boom, about said second axis, through a second section of said worm gear mechanism, f) and including a rotary link extending within the boom and coupling between the first actuator and said strut. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 38, 39, 40)
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45. In body tissue maneuvering method, the steps that include:
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a) providing a lengthwise elongated boom, and a strut carried at one end of the boom to be pivoted relative to the boom, and inserting the strut and boom via a body cavity to locate the strut to project in the cavity, the body tissue associated with the cavity, b) providing actuator means associated with the boom and strut for transmitting drives effecting controlled pivoting of the strut and boom, and c) providing worm gear mechanism through which said drives are effected, d) said actuator means provided to include; i) a first electrically responsive actuator to affect pivoting of the strut about a first axis, and ii) a second electrically responsive actuator to effect pivoting of the boom about a second axis, e) and providing a rotary link extending within the boom and coupling between the first actuator and said strut. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57)
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Specification