Self-propellable apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A propulsion apparatus for transport of at least one accessory device within a body cavity or canal, section of pipe, lumen, or other generally tubular space or environment, the apparatus comprising:
- a toroid, the toroid including an enclosed ring comprising a flexible material, the enclosed ring defining a central cavity and having an interior volume, the enclosed ring presenting an exterior surface and an interior surface which move in opposite directions when the apparatus is in motion;
a frame including a support structure located within the interior volume of the enclosed ring, and a housing structure substantially concentrically and substantially coaxially located relative to the support structure and disposed substantially in the central cavity of the enclosed ring;
at least one interlocking member located in association with each of the support and housing structures, the flexible material of the enclosed ring being positioned at least partially between the interlocking members of the two structures; and
a worm gear located at least partially within the housing structure, the worm gear, when powered, configured to impart a motive drive force to the flexible material of the enclosed ring via the at least one interlocking member of the housing structure.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A self propelled, endoscopic apparatus formed of a flexible, fluid-filled toroid and a motorized or powerable frame The apparatus may be used to advance a variety of accessory devices into generally tubular spaces and environments for medical and non-medical applications. The apparatus when inserted into a tubular space or environment, such as the colon of a patient undergoing a colonoscopy, is advanced by the motion of the toroid. The toroid'"'"'s surface circulates around itself in a continuous motion from inside its central cavity along its central axis to the outside where its surface travels in the opposite direction until it again rotates into its central cavity. As the device advances within the varying sizes, shapes and contours of body lumens, the toroid compresses and expands to accommodate and navigate the environment. The motion of the toroid can be powered or unpowered and the direction and speed may be controlled. The apparatus may be used to transport a variety of accessory devices to desired locations within tubular spaces and environments where medical and non-medical procedures may be performed.
116 Citations
65 Claims
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1. A propulsion apparatus for transport of at least one accessory device within a body cavity or canal, section of pipe, lumen, or other generally tubular space or environment, the apparatus comprising:
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a toroid, the toroid including an enclosed ring comprising a flexible material, the enclosed ring defining a central cavity and having an interior volume, the enclosed ring presenting an exterior surface and an interior surface which move in opposite directions when the apparatus is in motion; a frame including a support structure located within the interior volume of the enclosed ring, and a housing structure substantially concentrically and substantially coaxially located relative to the support structure and disposed substantially in the central cavity of the enclosed ring; at least one interlocking member located in association with each of the support and housing structures, the flexible material of the enclosed ring being positioned at least partially between the interlocking members of the two structures; and a worm gear located at least partially within the housing structure, the worm gear, when powered, configured to impart a motive drive force to the flexible material of the enclosed ring via the at least one interlocking member of the housing structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A propulsion apparatus for transport of at least one accessory device within a lumen environment of varying size, shape or contour, the apparatus comprising:
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a toroid configured to be compressible and expandable to accommodate and navigate the varying lumen environment, the toroid including a deformable enclosed ring formed of a flexible material, the enclosed ring defining a central cavity and having an interior volume, the enclosed ring presenting an exterior surface and an interior surface which move in opposite directions when the apparatus is in motion; a frame including an outer support structure located within the interior volume of the enclosed ring, and an inner support structure disposed in the central cavity of the enclosed ring; at least one interlocking member located in association with each of the outer and inner support structures, the flexible material of the enclosed ring being positioned at least partially between the interlocking members of the two support structures; and a driving mechanism configured to propel the toroid, when powered, by imparting a motive drive force to the interior surface of the enclosed ring. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63)
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64. A propulsion apparatus for transport of at least one accessory device within a lumen, the apparatus comprising:
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means for providing an exterior surface and an interior surface which move in opposite directions when the apparatus is in motion, including providing an enclosed toroidal ring defining a central cavity and having an interior volume, which is configurable to enter into and navigate the lumen; means for supporting the enclosed toroidal ring, including a first support member located within the interior volume of the enclosed toroidal ring, and a second support member coaxially located relative to the first support member and disposed in the central cavity of the enclosed ring; means for interlocking a relative positioning of the supporting means and the enclosed toroidal ring; and means for propelling the enclosed toroidal ring using the interior surface. - View Dependent Claims (65)
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Specification