REUSABLE CATHETER WITH DISPOSABLE BALLOON ATTACHMENT AND TAPERED TIP

摘要

Endoscopic surgical apparatuses and methods are described. An endoscopic apparatus comprises an elongate shaft, an inflatable element, an instrument base, and an imaging source. The elongate shaft comprises a steerable distal tip, locating feature(s) proximal of the steerable distal tip, inflation inlet(s) adjacent the locating feature(s), and a working channel. The inflatable element is slid over the elongate shaft to removably couple to the elongate shaft at the locating feature(s), thereby placing the inflatable element in fluid communication with the inflation inlet(s). The instrument base is coupled to a proximal end of the elongate shaft and can be coupled to a robotic system. The robotic system articulates the steerable distal tip through the instrument base to perform a procedure in an anatomical lumen. The robotic system can also advance and retract the endoscopic apparatus through the anatomical lumen. The imaging source is located at the steerable distal tip.

主权项

1. An endoscopic apparatus comprising:
an elongate shaft comprising a steerable distal tip; an expandable element coupled to the elongate shaft proximal of the steerable distal tip; and an instrument base coupled to a proximal end of the elongate shaft and configured to be coupled to a robotic system so that the robotic system is able to articulate the steerable distal tip through the instrument base.