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Magician Harry Houdini patented a "Diver's Suit" enabling the wearer to "quickly divest himself of the suit while being submerged and to safely escape and reach the surface of the water."
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8182417 | Articulating mechanism components and system for easy assembly and disassembly A component-based system for assembling articulating mechanisms that generally includes a variety of link, joint, central and spacer components together with connecting cables of varying lengths. ... | 05/22/2012 |
| 8100824 | Tool with articulation lock The invention provides surgical or diagnostic tools and associated methods that offer user control for operating remotely within regions of the body. These tools include a proximally-located actuator for the operation of a distal end effector, as well as proximally-... | 01/24/2012 |
| 8052597 | Method for forming an endoscope articulation joint In one aspect, the present invention is an articulation joint for use in a low cost medical device such as an endoscope intended for a single use. In one embodiment, the articulation joint comprises a plurality of interconnected segments. In another embodiment, the ... | 11/08/2011 |
| 7874980 | Articulation section The invention is an articulation section for an endoscope (10). The articulation section (50) is characterized in that each one of its vertebrae (52) is comprised of several pieces that can be easily assembled or disassembled. This arrangement a... | 01/25/2011 |
| 7682307 | Articulating mechanism for remote manipulation of a surgical or diagnostic tool The invention provides an articulating mechanism useful, for example, for remote manipulation of various surgical instruments and diagnostic tools within, or to, regions of the body. Movement of segments at the proximal end of the mechanism results in a correspondin... | 03/23/2010 |
| 7410483 | Hand-actuated device for remote manipulation of a grasping tool The invention provides an articulating mechanism useful, for example, for remote manipulation of various surgical instruments and diagnostic tools within, or to, regions of the body. Movement of segments at the proximal end of the mechanism results in a correspondin... | 08/12/2008 |
| 7339341 | Surgical camera robot The present invention is a miniature camera robot which can be placed entirely within an open space such as an abdominal cavity. The instant camera robot has pan and tilt capabilities, an adjustable focus camera, and a support component for supporting the robot body... | 03/04/2008 |
| 7331924 | Endoscope apparatus having electric bending endoscope An electric bending endoscope apparatus includes an electric bending endoscope, a bending control device for controlling a bending direction and the amount of bending of a bending portion based on a bending instructing signal outputted from a portion for instructing... | 02/19/2008 |
| 7326176 | Endoscope angle portion An endoscope angle portion comprises an angle portion structure. The angle portion structure includes angle ring units each of which comprises pivoting joint portions extending from its both ends and has a shape that is notched obliquely in directions away from the ... | 02/05/2008 |
| 7285088 | Endoscope apparatus An endoscope apparatus comprises: an endoscope in which a bending section is provided in its elongated insertion section; control wires stretching out of the bending section; a drive unit, which is attached to and removed from the endoscope; a pulling apparatus, whi... | 10/23/2007 |
| 7250027 | Articulating vertebrae with asymmetrical and variable radius of curvature An endoscope has a first segment with a proximal end and a distal end and is symmetric about an axis. A second segment, comprising a flexible and interconnected linkage system, is pivotably coupled to the first segment and, when subject to an applied force, is confi... | 07/31/2007 |
| 7246736 | Supplying shielding gas A flexible articulate tubular device has a shank, a plurality of pivot rings, and a terminus with heat sensors and a fiber optic device. The flexible articulate tubular device is initially positioned, either manually or automatically, near a target weld path with th... | 07/24/2007 |
| 7235046 | Toroidal propulsion and steering system An apparatus comprises a body having a torus skin with inner and outer layers, and a drive system configured to propel the apparatus by moving the inner layer relative to the outer layer. The active skin propulsion system allows movement and steering of a device. A ... | 06/26/2007 |
| 7232447 | Suturing instrument with deflectable head Suturing instruments in accordance with the invention are dimensioned and configured to apply sutures to approximate, ligate, or fixate tissue in, for example, open, mini-incision, trans-vaginal, laparoscopic, or endoscopic surgical procedures. In some embodiments, ... | 06/19/2007 |
| 7210364 | Autonomous robotic crawler for in-pipe inspection The specification discloses a robot for inspection adapted to travel virtually unlimited distances through small-diameter enclosed spaces such as conduits or ducts, preferably using a fluid-driven screw-drive propulsion system. The robot preferably includes a drive ... | 05/01/2007 |
| 7199545 | Robot for surgical applications The present invention provides a robot for use inside an open abdominal cavity during minimally-invasive surgery. The robot may include various sensors, imaging devices or manipulators. ... | 04/03/2007 |
| 7182025 | Autonomous robotic crawler for in-pipe inspection The specification discloses a robot for inspection adapted to travel virtually unlimited distances through small-diameter enclosed spaces such as conduits or ducts, preferably using a fluid-driven screw-drive propulsion system. The robot preferably includes a plural... | 02/27/2007 |
| 7126303 | Robot for surgical applications The present invention provides a micro-robot for use inside the body during minimally-invasive surgery. The micro-robot includes an imaging devices, a manipulator, and in some embodiments a sensor. ... | 10/24/2006 |
| 7097614 | Endoscope suitable for autoclaving An endoscope suitable for autoclaving in accordance with the present invention has a barrier that separates an interior from an exterior. When the barrier is located at a predetermined position, consideration is taken into a displacement of the barrier between the p... | 08/29/2006 |
| 7097615 | Robotic endoscope with wireless interface An endoscope apparatus and method of operating the same. The endoscope apparatus comprises an endoscope portion and a control and display unit. The endoscope portion preferably comprises: (i) a sensor disposed at a distal end of the endoscope portion and providing e... | 08/29/2006 |
| 7090637 | Articulating mechanism for remote manipulation of a surgical or diagnostic tool The invention provides an articulating mechanism useful, for example, for remote manipulation of various surgical instruments and diagnostic tools within, or to, regions of the body. Movement of segments at the proximal end of the mechanism results in a correspondin... | 08/15/2006 |
| 7044245 | Toroidal propulsion and steering system An apparatus comprises a body having a torus skin with inner and outer layers, and a drive system configured to propel the apparatus by moving the inner layer relative to the outer layer. The active skin propulsion system allows movement and steering of a device. A ... | 05/16/2006 |
| 7044906 | Flexible tube for an endoscope and an endoscope equipped with the flexible tube A flexible tube for an endoscope includes a tubular core member, and an outer cover provided around the core member, the outer cover being formed of a material containing as a major component thereof polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomer and polyolefin, wherein t... | 05/16/2006 |
| 7042184 | Microrobot for surgical applications The present invention provides a micro-robot for use inside the body during minimally-invasive surgery. The micro-robot may include various sensors, imaging devices or manipulators. ... | 05/09/2006 |
| 7008375 | Articulating shaft An articulating shaft includes an outer tubular member having a longitudinal axis and portions defining a slot. An inner tubular member is disposed within the outer member and movable about the axis of the outer member. A wedge carried by the inner member is movable... | 03/07/2006 |
| 6997870 | Universal, programmable guide catheter A guide catheter apparatus that comprises the following: (a) a guide catheter portion that includes a plurality of electroactive polymer actuators disposed along its axial length and (b) a control unit coupled to the actuators and sending control signals to the actu... | 02/14/2006 |
| 6991603 | Insertion tube device Insertion tube devices are disclosed. ... | 01/31/2006 |
| 6969354 | Adaptable intraoperative or endocavity ultrasound probe An intraoperative or endocavity ultrasound probe for insertion into a patient is provided. An adaptable or adjustable section is provided between the handle and the transducer for rotating the transducer relative to the handle prior to insertion within the patient. ... | 11/29/2005 |
| 6955644 | Autoclavable endoscope A rigid endoscope includes an outer housing subassembly that supports an optics subassembly. The outer body subassembly includes concentric tubes with optical fiber for providing object illumination. The optics subassembly includes a tubular sheath sealed at both en... | 10/18/2005 |
| 6950248 | Distance holder for lens system Distance holder for lenses, which in terms of shape or material structure is configured in such a way that it exerts a slight notching effect on lenses on contact surfaces between a distance holder and a lens, so that the lens surface is less easily damaged. ... | 09/27/2005 |
| 6941974 | Cable or the like protection and guide device To provide a cable or the like protection and guide device excellent in endurance and reliability by preventing breakage of a flexible cable-shaped body (cable, rope, wire or the like). A cable or the like protection and guide device of the invention includes link f... | 09/13/2005 |
| 6936003 | In-vivo extendable element device and system, and method of use An in-vivo device, such as an autonomous imager or other suitable in-vivo device, includes a moveable arm, extendible element, or proboscis. The in-vivo device may include sensors, such as imagers, etc. The device may transmit sensing information via, for example, w... | 08/30/2005 |
| 6911004 | Micro capsule robot A micro capsule robot comprises a body unit; a body movement control unit, which is installed on an outer circumferential surface of the body unit, including a linear driving device, and wings which are unfolded from the outer circumferential surface of the body uni... | 06/28/2005 |
| 6887195 | Endoscope-type device, especially for emergency intubation The invention relates to an endoscope-type device, particularly an endoscope for emergency intubation, comprising a holding portion (7) and a shaft (1) which is configured to be flexible at least in partial areas, with at least two longitudinal bendabl... | 05/03/2005 |
| 6875170 | Positioning, exploration, and/or intervention device, in particular in the field of endoscopy and/or mini-invasive surgery The positioning, intervention, and/or exploration device has two endpieces (6a-6d, 7) and at least one cable (20) extending from one endpiece to the other (6a-6d, 7), it has at least two be... | 04/05/2005 |
| 6876446 | Bore scope with test light A bore-scope device having a blue light source for leak detection and a white light source. ... | 04/05/2005 |
| 6870343 | Integrated, proportionally controlled, and naturally compliant universal joint actuator with controllable stiffness An apparatus for traversing obstacles having an elongated, round, flexible body that includes a plurality of segments interconnected by an integrated joint actuator assembly. The integrated joint actuator assembly includes a plurality of bellows-type actuators indiv... | 03/22/2005 |
| 6858005 | Tendon-driven endoscope and methods of insertion A steerable, tendon-driven endoscope is described herein. The endoscope has an elongated body with a manually or selectively steerable distal portion and an automatically controlled, segmented proximal portion. The steerable distal portion and the segment of the con... | 02/22/2005 |
| 6790173 | Shape lockable apparatus and method for advancing an instrument through unsupported anatomy Apparatus and methods are provided for placing and advancing a diagnostic or therapeutic instrument in a hollow body organ of a tortuous or unsupported anatomy, comprising a handle, an overtube, a distal region having an atraumatic tip. The overtube may be removable... | 09/14/2004 |
| 6780151 | Flexible ureteropyeloscope A flexible ureteropyeloscope having a control section and a shaft extending from the control section. The shaft has a front end with a first active deflection section connected in series with a second active deflection section. The control section is adapted to inde... | 08/24/2004 |
