INTRODUCTION DEVICES FOR HIGHLY ARTICULATED ROBOTIC PROBES AND METHODS OF PRODUCTION AND USE OF SUCH PROBES

摘要

In an introduction assembly for an articulated probe, a feeding mechanism has actuators for controlling the articulated probe. The introduction device is fixed in a positional relationship to the feeding mechanism. The introduction device includes a support member configured to support an articulated probe. A proximal end of the support member has an entrance configured to guide the articulated probe into contact with the support member. A distal end of the support member has an exit configured to guide the articulated probe from the support member into a region of interest.