Page 88 - Flexible Robotics in Medicine

72 Chapter 3
Table 3.16: US 8007434 B2 patent analysis.

Title: Variable stiffness medical prototype shaft US 8007434 B2

S. no. Key features Comments to relevance
1 Each elongate shaft portion joined end to end This part of the claim is rather general and
with at least one other shaft portion such that would pertain to most claims. In contrast, the
each elongate shaft portion includes at least one abutting elements, namely the bending portion
end face continuously abutting at least one end and the extension portion of the design, are
face of at least one other elongate shaft portion; made of the same material and design,
and a lumen extending therethrough; wherein “abutting” together.
the first and second elongate shaft portions are
made of different materials, have different
geometries, and have different flexibilities.
2 Wherein the geometries include a plurality of Here the definition of a slit is left open to
slits extending perpendicular to a longitudinal interpretation, which is troubling, especially since
axis of the shaft, wherein at least one of the the purpose is like a certain degree: “vary the
plurality of slits, the location of slits, the flexibility of the shaft.” The design, if considered
frequency of slits, the orientation of the slits, the to be a “slit,” would be more concerned with the
size of the slits, and the depth of the slits are width of the slit. Wherein the width would be the
varied to vary the flexibility of the shaft. defining factor for bending control.
3 Wherein the first, second, and third elongate This locking element from the adjacent segment
shaft portions include a locking member on at is unnecessary and, thus, absent from the
least one end; wherein the locking member on design. This sets the two concepts apart from a
one elongate shaft portion is configured to claim’s perspective.
couple with the locking member on another
elongate shaft portion.

Table 3.17: US6520214 patent analysis.

Title: Flexible tube for endoscope US6520214
A flexible tube for an endoscope is provided with a spirally wound tube, a braided tube covering the
spirally wound tube. The sheath material is fused and applied on the braided tube; the sheath material
passes through interstices of the braided tube, at the positions facing the clearances between windings,
to form a plurality of protruded portions that protruded inward with respect to the braided tube.

S. no. Key features Comments to relevance
1 A spirally wound tube composing a spirally Spirally wound member is not present in the
wound belt-like member wound in an axial prototype, but its similar counterpart would be
direction of the flexible tube and comprising spring. Their design has an emphasis on the belt
clearances between windings portion of the winding, as this provides rigidity.
This rigidity in the design is replaced with a
sheath with diamond cuts, which is a control
member to bend.
2 A plurality of interstices being distributed on Similar to US 8007434 “slits,” these interstices
said braided tube are serving a similar function on the braided tube.