Microminiaturized minimally invasive intravascular micro-mechanical systems powered and controlled via fiber-optic cable
First Claim
1. A micro-mechanical system, comprising:
- a catheter having a distal end for insertion into and manipulation within a body and a near end providing for a user to control said manipulation of said distal end within said body;
a fiberoptic cable disposed within the catheter and having a distal end proximate to said distal end of the catheter and a near end for external coupling of-laser light energy;
a microgripper attached to said distal end of the catheter and providing for the gripping or releasing of an object within said body; and
a laser-light-to-mechanical-power converter connected to receive laser light from said distal end of the fiberoptic cable and connected to mechanically actuate the microgripper.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A micro-mechanical system for medical procedures is constructed in the basic form of a catheter having a distal end for insertion into and manipulation within a body and a near end providing for a user to control the manipulation of the distal end within the body. A fiberoptic cable is disposed within the catheter and having a distal end proximate to the distal end of the catheter and a near end for external coupling of laser light energy. A microgripper is attached to the distal end of the catheter and providing for the gripping or releasing of an object within the body. A laser-light-to-mechanical-power converter is connected to receive laser light from the distal end of the fiberoptic cable and connected to mechanically actuate the microgripper.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A micro-mechanical system, comprising:
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a catheter having a distal end for insertion into and manipulation within a body and a near end providing for a user to control said manipulation of said distal end within said body; a fiberoptic cable disposed within the catheter and having a distal end proximate to said distal end of the catheter and a near end for external coupling of-laser light energy; a microgripper attached to said distal end of the catheter and providing for the gripping or releasing of an object within said body; and a laser-light-to-mechanical-power converter connected to receive laser light from said distal end of the fiberoptic cable and connected to mechanically actuate the microgripper. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification