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Stabilizing apparatus for highly articulated probes with link arrangement, methods of formation thereof, and methods of use thereof

  • US 9,364,955 B2
  • Filed: 12/20/2012
  • Issued: 06/14/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for driving an articulating probe, the apparatus comprising:

  • at least one elongate probe constructed and arranged to articulate in at least one predetermined degree of motion and to transition from a flexible state to a rigid state;

    a force transfer mechanism constructed and arranged to apply a force to the at least one elongate probe, said force selected from the group consisting of;

    a force that causes the at least one elongate probe to articulate in the at least one predetermined degree of motion; and

    a force that causes the at least one elongate probe to transition from the flexible state to the rigid state;

    a base structure attached to at least a portion of the force transfer mechanism and the at least one elongate probe, the base structure including a coupling mechanism that removably secures the probe to the base structure; and

    one or more stabilizing elements constructed and arranged to resist undesired movement of the at least one elongate probe caused by force from the force transfer mechanism,wherein the at least one elongate probe comprises a first probe arm and a second probe arm, the second probe arm slidable longitudinally within the first probe arm, wherein the force transfer mechanism is constructed and arranged to drive the first and second probe arms longitudinally with respect to each other, and wherein the force transfer mechanism comprises a locking mechanism to independently transition each of the first and second probe arms from the flexible state to the rigid state.

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