Out-licensing

Articulated Needle: Use as a Hand-Held or Robot-Mounted Device

The invention is a solution to a class of medical procedures called "percutaneous procedures," in which a practitioner needs to insert a needle along a curved path to either (1) avoid tissue structures, (2) steer the needle tip to compensate for tissue motion/deformation or (3) to generate forces sufficient for puncture at oblique angles. For example, the device allows for more flexibility in the entry point of the needle into the heart as well as increasing reliability in the balloon reaching its target during foetal heart interventions. This invention is also a new solution to the general problem of controlling the shape, or the end point location and/or orientation of a long and thin structure.

Conclusion

The invention is a method for controlling the shape and/or stiffness of long and thin mechanical structures. The immediate application for this invention is to provide the means to steer a medical needle or cannula on an arbitrary path through tissue. Among other benefits, the invention enables obstacle avoidance (e.g., around bone or delicate tissue), control of both tip position and orientation, and the means to vary the stiffness of the needle during insertion.

Relevance/Opportunity

We have developed an improved means to steer a medical needle or cannula on an arbitrary path through tissue. Among other benefits, the invention enables obstacle avoidance (e.g., around bone or delicate tissue), control of both tip position and orientation, and the means to vary the stiffness of the needle during insertion. Please enquire regarding licensing opportunities quoting reference no. 05-30.

Registered

Provisional application filed